For the past nineteen years Benjamin F. Brayfield, M. D., has been engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery at Christopher, Illinois, and during this time has firmly established himself in the confidence and esteem of the people of his community, and gained an enviable position in the ranks of his profession. A close student, skilled practitioner and steady-handed surgeon, his success in many cases of a complicated nature has stamped him as one of the ablest men of his calling in Franklin county, and on numerous occasions he has demonstrated his worth as a citizen.

Dr. Brayfield was born May 16, 1861, in Franklin county, and is a son of James M. and Olivia (Hammond) Brayfield. Walter Brayfield, the grandfather of Dr. Brayfield, was born in the state of West Virginia, from whence he moved to Tennessee, and after four or five years there came on to Illinois, and here died on a farm in 1854. His son, James M. Brayfleld, was born in Tennessee, and was taken to Jacksonville, Illinois, when he was nine years of age: His education was secured in the schools of Jefferson County, and he was reared to agricultural pursuits, successfully following that vocation throughout life, At the time of his death, in 1906, he had served as justice of the peace for thirty-four years, both in Franklin and Jefferson counties, and was recognized as one of the leading and influential men of his community. When he first moved to Franklin county he was elected county commissioner, on the Democratic ticket, and later served for a number of years as county supervisor, and his work was recognized and appreciated by his party in Southern Illinois.

Mr. Brayfield married Olivia Hammond, who was born in Kentucky, daughter of Samuel Hammond, who brought his family to Franklin county at an early date, became a successful farmer for his day, and died in 1852. Mrs. Brayfield died in 1877, having been the mother of five children, all of whom survive. After completing the course of study in the public schools Benjamin F. Brayfield attended Ewing College for three years with the intention of becoming a lawyer, and for a short time devoted himself to studying for that profession. Subsequently, however, he decided his talents could find a wider field for development in the practice of medicine and surgery, and in 1890 he was graduated from Washington University, St. Louis. Two years later he completed the course at the Kentucky School of Medicine, and after spending one year at Duquoin, Illinois, moved to Christopher, where he has since engaged in practice. Some years after coming here he took a post-graduate course in surgery.

Dr. Brayfield was married in 1884, to Miss Irena Cochran, daughter of Henry Cochran, an early settler and successful farmer of Jefferson county, and she died in 1888, leaving one son, Theodore, who is a bookkeeper with a large firm of Denver, Colorado. In 1892 Dr. Brayfield married Beulah Royal, daughter of the Rev. Joseph B. Royal, of the Christian church in northern Illinois, and she died in 1909, there having been two children born to this union: L. A. and Helen, both residing in Christopher. Mrs. Brayfield was a member of the Christian church.

The Doctor is a prominent Mason, being for two years worshipful master of Goode Lodge, No. 744, at Valier, and belongs also to the Knights of Pythias and the Odd Fellows, while his profession connects him with the American, State and County Medical Societies. Politically he is a Democrat, but the duties of his calling have occupied his time to such an extent that he has not found an opportunity to actively enter public life.

Source: History of Southern Illinois
George Washington Smith, M. A. VOLUME I - III ILLUSTRATED
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY CHICAGO AND NEW YORK 1912
Page 695 - 696
Submitted by Robert W. Loman