Brackett, Oscar Bernadotte (1812–1857)

Oscar Bernadotte Brackett, merchant, was born on March 22, 1812, in Salina, Onondaga County, New York. He inherited a fortune in a salt works, then lost it in speculation. He married Emily Wood on May 16, 1832, then finished college in 1833. Brackett came to Texas in 1844 from Syracuse with $20,000 in cash and some merchandising experience. His wife joined him two years later. With Peter Gallagher he purchased goods in New Orleans for a mercantile store in downtown San Antonio. Brackettville was named for him after he set up a supply settlement on the site of that town in 1852 for nearby Fort Clark. His business enterprises included ownership of land in the Fort Clark and Las Moras Creek area and operation of a line of freight wagons between San Antonio and Mexico. Despite the danger of Indians, Brackett and his wife often drove back and forth between San Antonio and Brackettville. Brackett served as an alderman in San Antonio (1847–48) and was a Whig until the party dissolved in 1855, after which he was said to have "cooperated with democracy." He died in San Antonio on December 2, 1857, and was buried in City Cemetery No. 1. He was survived by his wife and four daughters.