Sam Gilbert Bratton Passes Away

Today in Masonic History Sam Gilbert Bratton passes away in 1963.

Sam Gilbert Bratton was an American politician.

Bratton was born on August 19th, 1888 in Kosse, Texas. He attended public schools before going on to the Texas Normal School, normal schools were later called teacher colleges. After graduating from the Normal School, Bratton went on to teach school in Claude and Hereford, both are in Texas.

Bratton also studied law and in 1909 was admitted to the bar. He opened a legal practice in Farwell, Texas. He had his practice there until 1915.

In 1915, Bratton moved to Clovis, New Mexico. There he established a new practice. In 1919, he was made a district court judge for the fifth judicial district of New Mexico. He served in the position for two years. In 1921, the district was split and Bratton continued in essentially the same position only for the 9th district until 1923.

In 1923, Bratton became an associate judge of the New Mexico Supreme Court. He only served on the court for one year, resigning in 1924 to accept the nomination for the United States Senate. He was elected to two terms in the Senate, the first in 1924 and the second in 1930. He served only half of the second term, resigning to accept the position of circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. He served on the Tenth Circuit until 1961.

Bratton passed away on September 22nd, 1963.

Bratton was a member of Clovis Lodge No. 40 in Clovis, New Mexico. He was also a member of the Valley of Santa Fe, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of the Southern Masonic Jurisdiction. He was a member of Ballut Abyad Shrine Temple of Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was also a member of the Honorary Legion of Honor for the Order of DeMolay.

This article provided by Brother Eric C. Steele.