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Della Virginia Shuey was born in Nebraska in 1871 of English and German parentage. In about 1876, Della, her parents, and her brother moved to Osborne County, Kansas, and set up housekeeping in a sod house on land granted to her father as a veteran of the Civil War. The years of childhood and teens were full of pleasures and hardships typical of pioneer life. In her early 20s, Della and her brother, Will, filed a homestead claim on land in Woodward County, Oklahoma. The trips by covered wagon from the family home, which had long since become a comfortable stone house, to the land in Woodward County in order to plant and harvest the crops necessary to perfect their title, were filled with many amusing experiences. Her marriage in 1901 to George Taylor Braden, of Scotch-Irish and English parentage, brought two pioneer families together. Her two children, Ruth and Paul, were born in 1904 and 1907 respectively. The Texas sojourn was begun in 1910, when the Bradens followed her parents and other members of the family, who had moved to Citrus Grove, Matagorda County in 1909. The remaining years were wonderfully rewarding, with time devoid to family, church, and community demands, which were always met with cheerful and loving devotion. The Red Cross of both World Wars found her a willing worker and outstanding leader in rolling bandages, sewing and knitting. Most projects of civic organizations and Presbyterian Church circles were enriched by her efforts and leadership during the more active years in the communities of Collegeport, Blessing and finally, Bay City. The later years were made enjoyable by the eight great-grandchildren born into the families of the two sons of her daughter, Ruth and her husband, Arthur Matthes. Although her hearing and sight dimmed, her wit and willingness to be useful remained strong. In later years, one of her projects was to convert worn shirts into a garment used by cancer patients, known as "Johnny Coats." Many thousands passed over her trusty sewing machine into the lockers of the American Cancer Society.
The Matthes Family, Historic Matagorda County,
Volume II, pages 48-49 |
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George Taylor Braden was born in Utica, Missouri, March 17, 1874. The family moved to Kansas in 1879 and settled in Osborn County, where he resided until 1910, when he removed to Matagorda County, Texas, except for a few years spent in Osage County, Okla., with his elder brothers, Frank and Harry. The deceased was united in marriage to Della Virginia Shuey on Oct. 6, 1901 at Alton, Kansas. To this union were born two children, Ruth and Paul. He departed this life on March 9, 1929 at the age of 54 years, 11 months and 21 days, at his home near Blessing, Texas. G. T. Braden was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in Alton, Kansas, in 1909, and was transferred to Palacios Blue Lodge, where he remained a member until his death. Mr. Braden was also a member of Bay City Chapter R. A. M. No. 74. The Blue Lodge of Palacios had charge of the burial services. The respect and esteem of his host of friends were displayed by the many beautiful floral offerings and the large attendance at the funeral. Left to mourn his loss are his wife and two children, Mrs. A. R. Matthes, of Blessing, and Paul Braden, of Palacios; two grandchildren, Russell and Margaret Ruth Matthes, of Blessing; three sisters, and three brothers, Oral and Lucy of Delhi, Calif.; Mrs. Bess Whitney of Boise, Idaho, Mrs. Frank Armstrong, of Berkley, Calif., Frank and Harry of Ponca City, Okla.; and a host of friends.
Palacios Beacon, March 14, 1929 |
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Funeral services for Mrs. Della V. Braden were held at 2 p. m. Saturday, April 30, at the First Presbyterian Church in Bay City with Dr. A. T. Dyal and Rev. Milton McWilliams officiating. Interment was in the Palacios Cemetery. Born July 13, 1871 in Nebraska, she married George Taylor Braden in 1901, and they moved to Matagorda County in 1910, settling in Citrus Grove. She was an active worker for the Red Cross, an active leader in Presbyterian Church circles in Blessing, Collegeport and Bay City and was an active member of the Bay City Chapter 380 Order of the Eastern Star. She died Thursday afternoon in Matagorda General Hospital in Bay City.
She is survived by a daughter, Mrs. A. R. Matthes
of Blessing, son, W. Paul Braden of Houston; sister, Mrs. Roy Nelson
of Collegeport; two grandsons, Dr. Russell A. and Dr. Fred T.
Matthes of Bay City and eight great grandchildren. |
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