Georgia: Coweta County: Biography of WILLIAM A. BRANNON ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store this file permanently for free access. This file was contributed by: Nel Rocklein TAROCKLEIN@aol.com ==================================================================== WILLIAM A. BRANNON, the foremost business man of Moreland is the grandson of John and Nancy (Parker) Brannon, North Carolinians, who were among the early settlers of Georgia and he is the son of Franklin M. T., and Hannah L. (Westwood) Brannon, the former was born in Newton county, Ga., in 1827, and served in the late war as an enrolling officer; in consequence of the active part he took during hostilities there was a strong feeling against him on the part of the Federalist; on account of this his property was burned after the surrender. He was keeping hotel in Hamilton, Harris county, when some Yankees came in for dinner, after eating which they set fire to the house and destroyed it. In 1875 he was admitted a member of the North Georgia conference, M. E. church south, served the Master faithfully until 1887, when, while on the Fairburn circuit, he was summoned to lay down the cross and ascend to receive his crown. Mrs. Brannon was born in McMynn, Tenn., July 30, 1831, and was the daughter of John and Mary Ann (Elway) Westwood, natives of England, who came to America in 1817, and lived in Boston until 1833; they then came to Georgia, living for a time in Carroll county, later in Heard county, and finally settling in Harris county. Mr. Westwood was minister of the North Georgia conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which church his wife was also a devoted member. Mr. Westwood was also ardently attached to the masonic fraternity, of which he was long a member. William A. Brannon was the fourth in a large family of children: John W., born Aug. 31, 1851; Mary Ann Elway, born Jan. 1, 1854; Nancy E., born May 12, 1855; William A., born Nov. 24, 1857; Catharine Magee, born Jan. 30, 1860; Louise Arvilla, born Dec. 7, 1861; Alvin N., born April 12, 1865; Robert F., born Sept. 7, 1866; James C., born Jan. 3, 1869; Paul E., born July 25, 1873. William A. Brannon was reared in Harris county, the place of his birth, and attended school in Hogansville in 1872 and at Grantville in 1873-74- 75. In 1876 he came to Moreland and engaged in business with J. R. Cotton, he to take the stock of goods and have half of the profits from their sale. Although he had nothing absolutely at the beginning of this venture, in two years he had more than doubled the amount invested by Cotton. He then removed to Grantville and engaged in general trade for about three years, and then formed a new partnership with his friend Cotton. This lasted about two years, when he spent a few months traveling and prospecting in Texas, after which he once more went into business in Moreland, this time with G. E. Camp. After three years they divided the stock, Mr. Brannon continuing the business on his own account, until quite recently, his business now amounting to about $100,000. Early in 1895 he sold a half interest to J. R. Cotton, and the firm now is W. A. Brannon & Co. Thus has one who began life under many discouragements, by steady application to business gained a position of wealth and influence. His integrity and uprightness of character are well known throughout the county, as well as his generous public spirit, which brings him at once to the support of every laudable undertaking for the common welfare. He has been a member of the city council as alderman, is a stockholder in the Moreland Manufacturing company, of which he is one of the board of directors; he has just finished a large two-story brick business block, which is a material improvement to Moreland. He is also one of the largest fruit growers in this part of Georgia. Mr. Brannon was married January, 1885, his wife being Mrs. Mary King, whose parents, William and Lizzie (Camp) Reynolds, were natives of this state. Mr. Reynolds, who served through the late war, was for many years in the hotel business, and built the Virginia house in Newnan. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. and Mrs. Brannon are also devoted members of the same church. Mrs. Brannon was born and reared in Coweta county; her birth occurred in 1864. Five children have blessed these parents of whom four are living: Gordon R., Ona May, Frank W., and William A., Jr. Transcribed from MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA published by the Southern Historical Association, 1895.