1.) Biography
Charles was born into the pages of an American history textbook. He was born 7th child of ten to parents who had each journeyed with their families in Mormon handcart companies. His father took part in three different companies that trekked west to Utah. The Brackenbury family was a strong and faithful lot. Their faith meant everything to them.

In 1849, Charles's mother's family, in order to escape Mormon persecution in Illinois, joined Silas Richards' Handcart Company to Utah. His mother was just seven years old at the time.

Both parents ended up rejecting Brigham Young's leadership and left his church that developed in Utah. They met in California where they joined the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS). They decided to move back east, first to Kansas where Charles was born then to Independence, Missouri, where his mother died.

Charles was an artistic man with an eye for balance. He owned a photography business in Lamoni, Iowa, yet he also traveled to professionally photograph historical events in the Reorganized Latter Day Saints Church. His son Shirley and daugher Aliene worked as photographers along side him which was great training. They were able to keep the studio going a while after Charles' untimely death from diabetic complications. Records show he was actively involved with his local and faith community.

Charles married Alice "Allie" Hansen and together had seven children. Although he died in a hospital in Independence, Missouri, his body was returned to Lamoni, Iowa to be buried near his neighbors and daughters in Rose Hill Cemetery.

2.) Obituary
CHARLES, son of JOHN W. and SAMANTHA BRACKENBURY was born at White Cloud, Kansas, December 21, 1874, and died at Independence sanitarium, April 29, 1922, at 2:25 a.m., being at the time of his death aged 47 years, 4 months and 8 days.

At the age of eight, he was baptized into the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, remaining an active supporter of this denomination until the time of his passing.

He was married to ALLIE E. HANSEN at Council Bluffs, August 19, 1896, by Elder T.W. Williams. With his bride, he returned at once to Lamoni, Iowa, where he had been making his home for the two years previous. They have made this their home continuously from that time, he having been in business in Lamoni 28 years.

To this union were born six children, one dying in infancy, the others being all present, namely, WALLACE A., of Omaha, Nebraska; MRS. C.M. CLIFFORD, of Canada; ALIENE E., CHARLES SHIRLEY and FREDERICK.

MR. BRACKENBURY's death came suddenly. His condition was not thought to be serious until a few days ago, although he had suffered quite intensely at times. It was finally thought wise to remove him to the Independence sanitarium for treatment. Examination revealed a complication of diseases, making treatment difficult. He improved slightly for a time, but grew suddenly worse, passing peacefully on the morning of April 29.

He leaves to mourn his departure, beside his immediate family, six brothers, three sisters, besides many other relatives and friends. There were in attendance at the funeral, in addition to members of his own family, C.M. CLIFFORD, of Canada; MRS. WALLACE BRACKENBURY, of Omaha; his brother, ARTHUR, of Independence; his brother, ELVIN, of St. Joseph, Missouri; his niece, MRS. TURNER, of Independence; MRS. BRACKENBURY's father, FREDERICK HANSEN, of Persia, Iowa; and MRS. VERNA BRACKENBURY, of Lamoni.

The service was in charge of J.F. Garver, sermon by C.E. Wight, dismissal at the grave by F.M. Weld. Interment at Rose Hill.
Source: Leon Reporter, Leon, Iowa, Thursday, May 11, 1922

3.) DEATHS IN GREATER KANSAS CITY.
BRACKENBURY—Charles Brackenbury, 48 years old, died yesterday at the Independence sanitarium. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Allie Brackenbury, two sons, Shirley Brackenbury and Fred Brackenbury, and two daughters, Miss Ellen [Aliene] Brackenbury, and Mrs. Cornelius Clifford, all of the home, Lamoni, Ia; a son, Wallace Brackenbury, Omaha, Neb.; a brother, Arthur Brackenbury, 619 West Lexington street. Independence. Burial will be at Lamoni.
Source: Kansas City Star (Kansas City, MO) Volume: 42 Issue: 225, Section: 1 Page: 20A Sunday, April 30, 1922

NEWS ARTICLES:
1. Lamoni Man Honored.
Mr. Charles Brackenbury of the Brackenbury Studio had the honor to have some of his excellent photographs pass the Board of Censors at the A. P. A. convention held in Kansas City, and had some of his photographs hung in the exhibition. This was quite an honor as there were photographers at this convention from all parts of the United States, and it took a fine piece of work to pass the Board.
Source: The Lamoni Chronicle, published in Lamoni, Iowa on Thursday, July 31st, 1913, p. 1

2. "FOXY GRANDPA He Does The Handsome Thing By The Newly Weds
They come To Lamoni And Fit Themselves Out For Housekeeping,
Grandpa Gives Them The Benefit Of His Experiences
And Foots The Bills"

... "Now," said the old gentleman, "now for a picture of this crowd and the new home. You will want pictures of this event that you will be proud of and you will surely treasure the ones you get at Charles Brackenbury's."
Entering the studio and while Polly was arranging her hair, Grandpa remarked, "Look at the photos around you they almost breathe they are so realistic, and isn't the posing natural. Poise and light, they say, are Brackenbury's long suit and it's a pleasure to have pictures taken there. He does enlarging, view, portrait work and handles the famous Kodaks, supplies, and does finishing. Get a Victrola here with a complete supply of late records. You will enjoy it and then have Charles show you his large stock of "Ye Gifts," a line of Christmas novelties you mustn't overlook. ...Bear this in mind and then think of Charles Brackenbury, photographer."
Source: The Lamoni Chronicle, published in Lamoni, Iowa on Thursday, December 12th, 1918, pg 6.

3. Chas. Brackenbury has recently received a very fine Buff Orpington, cockerel, which he purchased from D. H. Palmer of Rolfe, Iowa. This cockerel won first in the Iowa State meet of the Buff Orpington Club, which was held last month at Rolfe. Mr. Brackenbury has a very fine lot of Buff Orpingtons, and he is fortunate in having secured such a fine bird to head his flock.
Source: The Lamoni Chronicle, published in Lamoni, Iowa on Thursday, January 16th, 1908, p. 2

4. Mr. Charles Brackenbury recently shipped a fine Buff Orpington cockerel to W. C. Swope at Independence, Missouri, for which he received $10. It pays to raise good poultry, and Lamoni certainly has her share.
Source: The Lamoni Chronicle, published in Lamoni, Iowa on Thursday, January 23rd, 1908, p. 2

5. Charles Brackenbury has been improving the appearance of his photograph studio by the application of some new paper. Several new panels for the display of photographs are included in the improvements.
Source: The Lamoni Chronicle, published in Lamoni, Iowa on Thursday, May 30th, 1907, p. 2

6. Chas. Brackenbury went to Omaha, Nebraska, last Thursday for a short visit with his son, Wallace, who is laid up in a hospital in that city with rheumatism. Wallace has been in bed for five weeks and is in very bad shape.
Source: The Lamoni Chronicle, published in Lamoni, Iowa on Thursday, December 4th, 1919, p. 8

MOTHER: Samantha Ann Daley
FATHER: John Wesley Brackenbury

WIFE: Alice "Allie" Elizabeth Hansen
m. 19 Aug 1896, Council Bluffs, Iowa
Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter Day Saints, by Elder T.W. Williams

CHILDREN:
1. Wallace Alystis Brackenbury
m. Rose Marie Jensen

2. Helen Elizabeth Brackenbury
m. Cornelius Mounterville Clifford

3. Aliene Erma Brackenbury
m. Norman Walter "Walt" Walden

4. Charles Shirley Brackenbury
m. Lottie Fiori - divorced
m. Hazel Edith Mangurn - divorced

5. Eleanor Brackenbury
Infant death

6. Dorthy Louise Brackenbury
Infant Death

7. Frederick Lowell Brackenbury
m. Edwina Frances Sullivan

FURTHER INFORMATION:
1. (Family of Origin)
1880 United States Federal Census
Name: Charles Buckenbarry [Charles Brackenbury]
Age: 5
Birth Year: abt 1875
Birthplace: Kansas
Home in 1880: Independence, Jackson, Missouri
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Son
Marital Status: Single
Father's Name: J. W. Buckenbarry
Father's Birthplace: Ohio
Grandfather's birthplace: Eng
Grandmother's birthplace: New York
Mother's name: Samantha Buckenbarry
Mother's Birthplace: Illinois
Grandfather's birthplace: New York
Grandmother's birthplace: New York
Household Members: Name Age
J. W. Buckenbarry 50 Farmer
Samantha Buckenbarry 38 Housekeeping
Arthur Buckenbarry 17
Lester Buckenbarry 16
Luna Buckenbarry 15
Joseph A. Buckenbarry 13
Loui Buckenbarry 11
Emma Buckenbarry 7
Charles Buckenbarry 5
Nellie Buckenbarry 3
Elvin Buckenbarry 2m
Source Citation: Year: 1880; Census Place: Independence, Jackson, Missouri; Roll: 693; Family History Film: 1254693; Page: 47A; Enumeration District: 024; Image: 0682.
Source Information: Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 1880 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010. 1880 U.S. Census Index provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints © Copyright 1999 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. All use is subject to the limited use license and other terms and conditions applicable to this site.

2. U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
Name: Charles Brackenbury
County: Decatur
State: Iowa
Permanent Address: S. Cedar St., Lamoni
Birth Date: 21 Dec 1874
Race: White
Age: 44
Occupation: Photographer/Self-employed
Nearest Relative: Mrs. Allie E. Brackenbury
Height/Build: Medium/Medium
Color of Eyes/Hair: Blue/Brown
Signature:
Source Citation: Registration State: Iowa; Registration County: Decatur; Roll: 1642998.
Source Information: Ancestry.com. U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005