Brayton, Pierce & Alice

Pierce B. was a member of the Geneva Masonic Lodge.

In 1899, Mr. Brayton named his building at 824 G Street the Isabel after his wife, Alice Isabel Brayton. For a short time there was a store located in the building called the Isabel department store.

Mr. Brayton was a very stout, rugged man and stood about 6 feet 4 inches tall.

A few years prior to his death, he had a foot amputated due to a disease that threatened blood poison. As his health continued to deteriorate, so did his wealth as hard times hit Nebraska and Kansas, causing him to declare bankruptcy. The Fillmore County properties were not affected by the bankruptcy because those investments were held in the name of Mrs. Brayton.

Alice was the president of the Fillmore County Equal Suffrage Association. She was called to speak at Equal Suffrage Association conventions in Nebraska, New York and held the position of state treasurer for several years. It was through Mrs. Brayton and the club’s efforts that led to a woman (Mrs. P. H. Hines) being elected to the Geneva school board in 1900. Alice remained at the polls all day to look after the interests of her candidate.

The following are some excerpts of her speeches: Reprinted from Syracuse, New York Post-Standard, October 1900 - When it became evident that the women were going to vote, Mrs. Brayton said the men wanted their influence and approached them with all sorts of propositions. Her reply to the politicians was, “Gentlemen, if you have only knives to sharpen, turn your own grindstones. We’re here to elect a woman on the school board and all of the political deals are of no concern to us.” In the biographical sketch of Alice Isabel Brayton taken from Biographical Database of NAWSA Suffragists, 1890-1920- Mrs. Brayton wrote to The Arizona Sentinel in 1908 about the Oklahoma Wooden Indian law and its correlation to woman suffrage. As she wrote, “It is now a misdemeanor to make any image of an Indian, of whatever name or nation, for display in front of a tobacco or any other shop. It is the modern form of “thou shalt not make for thyself any graven image.” Now what is the reason this measure was so enthusiastically supported by all factions? It is universally conceded that it was because each party wanted to control the Indian vote. And so it goes. It is the Irish vote, the German vote, the Italian vote and now it is the Indian vote! Will it ever be the woman vote?”

In January 1906, the school board donated the use of one of the basement rooms in the new school building for the instruction of domestic science. A plan was developed that a number of Geneva ladies would take turns in giving instruction to girls attending the public schools. Participation was totally voluntary. Mrs. Brayton was the first volunteer to lead the period with 75 girls in attendance. In 1908, Mrs. Brayton presented to the domestic science department a complete set of new dishes, a set of sherbet dishes and table linens.

Mrs. Brayton was the first president of the board of trustees when the Geneva Public Library board was organized. She continued to hold the position until her death. Alice also donated financially to purchase books for the library.

Mr. and Mrs. Brayton took a very active role in business and social affairs of the city. Mrs. Brayton was especially known for her hospitality and hosted many social events at their home. After fire burned the Fillmore Hotel which was owned by the Braytons, she entertained all the members of the Geneva Fire company at a banquet held at the Masonic Temple banquet room. It was to show her appreciation for their hard work in battling the fire and successfully saving the surrounding buildings. The meal was served in three courses. “Mrs. Brayton is famous for her dinners and this was one of her crowning efforts.”

Delia Fisher recalls that as a child she and her sister Carmen were treated with kindness by Mr. and Mrs. Brayton. The Braytons would often send a carriage to pick the girls up and bring them to their home.