Brane, Commodore Ira Berton

Commodore Ira Berton Brane (1848-1920), a United Brethren clergyman, was born December 25, 1848 at Frederick, Maryland. He was the son of Henry Brane, born 1808, and Margaret Lauman, born 1800 in Lancaster. Pennsylvania.

C.I.B. Brane - his first name really was Commodore - was largely self-educated. He was converted on November 24, 1870, and joined the Maryland Conference. In 1872 he was licensed to preach in the Virginia Conference, and in 1876 he was ordained. He served as pastor in Pennsylvania and had a large part in building up a congregation in Washington, D.C. For a long time, he was Washington correspondent for the Religious Telescope under the non de plume of Moc Enarb. Brane itinerated for 24 years. In 1885 he married Clara M. Harp, and together they had four children, Brane was elected a presiding elder in 1885, and also was elected a Delegate to the General Conference. He died in 1920.