Benjamin Marcellus Brainard from Mommouth, Kennebec, Maine opened a business on Fulton Street, Columbia, California in 1851.
He married Clementine Allen Houghton in Anson, Somerset, ME. 11th August 1853, and brought her to Columbia to set up house. Their first house was lost in the 1854 fire and they rebuilt their home, which still stands today.
Clementine was a Sunday school teacher and makes comments on the churches of Columbia.
Benjamin Marcellus Brainard dies 29th June 1856 of a fever at age 30 yrs and 7 months. Buried in Columbia cemetery.
Rueben Brainard, father of B.M. 17th September 1856 and is buried near Marcellus.
Mary Ellen [Evelyn] Brainard Landers, Marcellus’ sister, died 18th, August 1857 of consumption in Columbia. She is buried near Marcellus. (Wife of Cyrus W. Landers.)
They all share the same obelisk tombstone
