When Henry Brother, the father of Civil War Marine Charley Brother, was about 20, working at this first job away from the farm, his father died.
“Valentine Brother, Esq., 47, member of Assembly-elect from Ontario Co., died in Seneca.”
Henry returned home to arrange things with his brother Charles and his sisters. The church was full of people who were the early settlers and financial backers of the region, including Charles A. Williamson, who were watching him.
Henry entered the Presbyterian Church with his mother, who was firm in her faith and not crying. As the reverend spoke, Henry fixated on the simple white walls, trying not to be overwrought, but all Henry could think about was his age. Valentine died at the same age as his father, Heinrich Bruder. Henry wondered, Was this the script I inherited? What else did I inherit?
He met with the witnesses to his father’s will. Gathered in the room with his siblings, the neighbor read aloud the inventory, listing the animals, outbuildings, acreage, even the china, Henry missed his father, that was the weight of things, yes, he did not know how to hold his reason to settle matters. It was too much. Too much stuff, processing, business, nodding, mindlessly accepting and acknowledging change and responsibility. Perhaps he could find a white wall or open field to fixate on. But it was time to talk and split the estate. In doing so, Henry surprised himself by pulling through. It took him several days to process that he was now, suddenly, a very wealthy person, but not free. He had just a few years, perhaps just 17, to match or exceed the legacy of Valentine Brother, Esquire. So he had better get to it and find Dudley to open the store.