GEORGE BRADEN.  


	George Braden is a prominent merchant of Rosthern, active in the
conduct of an automobile, harness, and farm implement business. He was
born in Bruce county, Ontario, in September, 1874, a son of William and
Ellen (Freeborn), Braden, natives of that province. The father engaged
in agricultural pursuits in his native province throughout his life, mostly
in Bruce county but for a time in Manitoba. He died in September, 1907,
and Mrs. Braden passed away in May of the same year.
	George Braden was reared in Bruce county and there attended the
country schools and the Listowell high school. Later he went to Manitoba
with his parents and there engaged in the general mercantile business as
clerk in a store at Sidney, being thus employed for four years. He also
worked at threshing and brickmaking and bought wheat for various con-
cerns.  In July of the year 1895 he became associated with Massey-Harris
and worked with that concern in various capacities.  He traveled for
them from 1897 until 1903 and in the latter year engaged in business on
his own account.  He established an implement business, handling the
Massey-Harris line and also conducted a loan and insurance business.
Later he added a complete line of harnesses and in due time took over the
Ford agency here. He has been successful in his business and enjoys the
confidence and esteem of all with whom he comes into contact. He em-
ploys the highest principles of honesty and integrity in the conduct of his
affairs and each year witnesses a substantial increase in the profits. Mr.
Braden is also a representative agriculturist and owns and operates thir-
teen quarter sections of fine land here. He had one thousand acres of
land under cultivation this year.
	In September, 1903, Mr. Braden was married to Miss Harriet Knight
and they have one child: William Knight, whose birth occurred on the
13th of January, 1920.  In his political views Mr. Braden is a Tory. His
religious faith is manifest in his membership in the Church of England
and fraternally he is identified with the Masons He is essentially public-
spirited and has served his fellowmen in many important capacities. He
has been secretary of the local school board for the past twenty years and
was secretary of the town from the time of its incorporation in 1904 until
1916. He was secretary of the rural municipality from 1909 to 1919 and
for years was secretary of the local Board of Trade.  He possesses a
genial and pleasing personality, makes friends easily and has the genius
for keeping them. Rosthern is indeed proud to number him among her residents.

         
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