Pappy Bracken named man of the year

“Pappy” Bracken—Man of the Year

Pappy Bracken Named First Man of the Year

By Sara Douthett

Oil City Derrick, 6/15/1971

SLIGO - The first "Man of the Year" award and program was held by the Sligo Area Recreation Board when W.C. "Pappy" Bracken was elected for the award.

Over 200 persons attended the banquet dinner served in the recreation center by the WSCS of the Sligo United Methodist Church.

Narrating the program was Mrs. Lois Smith, secretary of the SARB. Rev. Gale A. Jewell offered the invocation and organ music was provided by Mrs. Lottie Dunlap of Callensburg. President of the SARB, James Grant, made appropriate remarks. Miss Pamela Johnston sang a selection following the announcement of the "The Man of the Year."

W.E. Bracken was born May 6, 1885 at Ford City RD. His parents were Mary Speedy Bracken and Thomas Bracken and he was the third of four children. A brother, Floyd, and a sister, Gail, are deceased. A sister, Louella, makes her home with Clair.

The family moved to the Sligo area when Bracken was 16, and in 1916 he married the former Ethel Stopp, daughter of W.R. and Mary Ellen Mateer Stopp, who passed away in September 1962.

During World War I, Bracken was employed in a shell factory at Butler, residing in that area for approximately two years. His son, LaVerne, was born in Butler, and following their return to Sligo, another son, Dale, was born. Three granddaughters, Shelby, a student at Ashland College at Ashland, Ohio; Sharon, a ninth grade student at Union High School, and Shawna, a sixth grade student at Union Elementary, complete the family circle.

Called to the platform were Ila and John Mateer, long-time friends and neighbors of the Brackens. Others mentioned were Mrs. Myrtle Shields and the late G.B. Shields, with Mrs. Ruth Sherman, their daughter, speaking briefly in their behalf.

During the 1920's Bracken was a rural mail carrier and until 1929 he also worked in the mines. In 1929 he went to Clarksburg, W.Va., and on his return to Sligo, he and the late Clair Burns leased a piece of land from A.R. Davis, and operated coal mines. In 1932 Bracken purchased his first used truck and 1936 he bought his first new truck. With the trucks he delivered coal to the then existing CCC camp at Sligo and to Sligo homes.

In 1939 the partnership of W.C. and LaVerne Bracken was formed and they hauled coal and limestone. Later purchasing a paver and roller they started to lay blacktop and their first job was near Corsica. In 1953, the corporations, Bracken Construction Co. and B.M.G. Asphalt Co. were formed by W.C. Bracken, LaVerne Bracken, Dale A. Bracken, Raymond McDowell and Royd George.

In 1963 this group formed the corporation, Sligo Concrete & Paving Co. McDowell and George are now retired from the company. In February, 1971, Bracken Construction co. acquired the stock of the Ray F. Yount Co. and B.M.G. Asphalt Co. acquired the stock of Kittanning Asphalt Products Co.

Business associates present to congratulate Bracken were Robert Beck of John G. Beck Agency, Inc., Kenneth Beels of H.B. Beels and Son, Inc.; and Charles Snyder of Allegheny Mineral Corp.

Bracken is an active member of the Sligo United Methodist Church, the IOOF Lodge, a member of the SARB and a charter member of the Sligo Lions Club. He has a lifetime membership in the Sligo Sportsmen Club. He has also served on the Sligo Council. Being involved in so many activities, it can only be said he is very active in religious and civic activities of his community.

Correspondence from several friends was read throughout the program and several of his Sligo neighbors and friends related stories and incidents in the life of Bracken.

In closing, a plaque was presented to Bracken by SARB President Grant. A former resident, Mrs. Paula Kline Coon then sang a selection appropriate to the occasion.

Mrs. Smith concluded the program with several remarks directed to "Pappy" Bracken.

Transcribed by Pamela Myers-Grewell.