A. W. Bratcher was born October 9, 1853, near the present site of Big Clifty, and is the eldest of family of six sons and six daughters born to Capt. William A. and Sarah A. (Pirtle) Bratcher.  William A. Bratcher was born October 19, 1830, and was also a native of Grayson County.  He was a farmer by occupation, and for a time captain of a company in the State militia.  He was a son of Asa Bratcher, who was born in South Carolina, in 1801, and who was a farmer of Irish extraction.  Capt. Bratcher's marriage was solemnized in December, 1852, with Miss Sarah A, daughter of Jacob and Ellen (Pirtle) Pirtle.  In early life, A. W. Bratcher possessed limited educational advantages, but by close application to study he has obtained for himself a first-rate English education, which has been supplemented from time to time by his experience in the practical walks of life.  His first business was teaching, in which he engaged for three years, since which time he has been engaged in the dry goods business at Big Clifty.   He is not a member of any secret society and in politics is a Republican.