Branch, Gilmore, Dyess, and Tarver Families of Winn Parish, Louisiana Submitted by Barbara Jo Castleberry Branch Date: 1999 ************************************************ Submitted to the LAGenWeb Archives ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ************************************************ Theophilus BRANCH was born on 21 March 1822 in Marion, MS, the son of Stephen and Elitha Eliza Bennett BRANCH (both formerly of Duplin County, North Carolina). Along with his brother-in-law William Fatheree and sister, Susan Branch Fatheree, Theophilus moved to what is now Winn Parish in about 1847. Here he met and married Mary DYESS on 18 April 1850 at Caldwell Parish, LA. Mary was the daughter of George DYESS and Mary CRUMP. He died on 12 June 1895 at Winn, LA, at age 73 and was buried at Fellowship Cem., Kychie Comm., Winn, LA. Other children of George and Mary Crump Dyess were: Augustus 'Gus' DYESS was born on 15 June 1827 at MS. He married Cealy Jane SAYERS circa 1850. Augustus is on the 1860 census for Winn Par., LA. He died on 7 March 1909 at Wood, TX, at age 81; George Washington DYESS who married Vicena Thornt. George Washington Dyess died in a Confederate hospital in New Orleans, LA and was buried there. (NOTE: Mike and Karen Esberger, descendants of this line went to New Orleans in 1997 in an attempt to find his grave. That particular cemetery has now been washed away by flood waters.); Martha DYESS; Gabriella DYESS; Ladonna'Donnie' DYESS; Ella DYESS; Tennessee DYESS. A. William Morgan BRANCH married Lydia 'Liddie' Ann Grishom/Grissom [#9], daughter of Jehu Madison Grishom and Elizabeth Ann Ford. He was born in February 1851 at Winn, LA. He died on 27 June 1925 at New Roads, Point Coupee, LA, at age 74 and was buried on 29 June 1925 at Harmony Grove Cem., in the Gaars Mill Community of Winn Parish, LA. There is discrepancy in the birth date of Lydia Branch, has census reports and marriage licenses have listed various ages. The 1850 Jackson Parish census list Lydia as having been born in 1840. This census would have been taken when her mother was still alive. As Lydia's mother had deceased by 1850, the dates vary after this time. Lydia died 6 Oct 1919 and is buried at Harmony Grove Cem., in the Gaars Mill Co unity of Winn Parish, LA. 1. Pinkney Eugene BRANCH was born on 6 March 1876 at Winn, LA. He married Alice Almeta SMITH, daughter of James Maddison Smith and Samantha Caroline Parker, on 9 December 1897. Pink was farmed land in the northern portion of Winn Parish. After the death of their son, Hoyt, Pink and Alice sold the land and moved to Montgomery, Grant, LA. A story told by grandchildren, concerned the old mule and how when the mule became stubborn and refused to budge Grandpa Pink could be heard "clean to town" hollering at the mule. When Pink's son, Hubert married an Irish girl during WWII, Pink visited with every politician he could to have her brought over from Ireland. After months of red tape, permission was finally granted, but two weeks before his new daughter-in-law's arrival, he suffered a fatal heart attack. He died on 20 December 1945 at Montgomery, Grant, LA, at age 69 and was buried in December 1945 at Union Hill Cem., Winn, LA The children of Pinkney Eugene and Alice Almeta Smith Branch are: a) Bertie BRANCH b) Cargle BRANCH, Sr. married Eva Gertrude Gilmore on 8 May 1938. Gertrude was the daughter of Henry and Arminda Tarver Gilmore. Henry M. Gilmore was the son of Abner and Josephine Keen Gilmore. Henry was born in 1888 and died in 1920 from the influenza. It is believed that he is buried around Columbia or Fort Necessity. Because Arminda was ill with the influenza herself, so Henry's grave was never marked. Their other child was Leland "Jack"Gilmore. Arminda Tarver was the daughter of Cecil Fred and Virginia Adline Skinner Tarver. After Henry's death, Arminda, "Mindy", married Joseph White then, third, she married to Ben Moody. Cecil Fred Tarver (1864-1940 or 1941) was the son of Samuel Wilson and Mary Ann Lilly TARVER. Virginia Adline Skinner 1867-1923) was the daughter of Isaac Francis Marion and Josephine Snowden SKINNER. Children of Cecil Fred and Virginia Adline Skinner Tarver were: (1) Dollie L. Tarver was buried at Beech Creek Cemetery, Winn, LA. She was born on 29 May 1882. She died on 24 November 1884 at Winn, LA, at age 2. (2) Rosa Tarver was born on 27 February 1895. (3) Etta Tarver was born on 15 October 1897. She died in 1982. (4) Arminda Tarver was buried at Garden of Memories, Winnfield, Winn, LA. She was born on 9 February 1900 at LA. She married Henry M. Gilmore, son of Abner Gilmore and Josephine Keen, on 28 December 1916 at Ft. Necessity, Franklin, LA. She married Joseph Alexander White, son of W. Henry White and Anna Elizabeth Lucas, on 29 October 1920 at Ft. Necessity, Franklin, LA. She died on 19 April 1969 at Winnfield, Winn, LA, at age 69. (5) Lydia Lethan Tarver was born on 11 September 1901. She died on 16 September 1944 at Ft. Necessity, Franklin, LA, at age 43. (6) Everlee Tarver was born on 27 January 1906 at Winnsboro, Franklin, LA. She died on 10 November 1995 at Winnfield, Winn, LA, at age 89. ***continuting with the children of Pinkney Eugene & Alice Smith Branch: c) Stillborn BRANCH d) Odell BRANCH e) Hoyt BRANCH was born circa 1903 at Winn, LA. When he died in 1921, we believe that he was buried at Fellowship Baptist Church, Kychie Comm., Winn, LA. (A great-aunt informed us that he was buried at the feet of Mary Dyess Branch. There is a large stone there and an outline that looks to be a grave.) He died in January 1921 at Winn, LA. f) Verda\Verdie Branch g) Christine BRANCH h) Roy BRANCH i) Vera 'Vay' BRANCH j) Hubert BRANCH k) Nita 'Neet' BRANCH l) Esther 'Es' BRANCH m) Lester 'Doc' BRANCH 2. George Washington BRANCH (29 June 1877 - 14 Nov 1900) at Winn, LA. He married Louella DARK, daughter of William Edward DARK and Esther Roach, on 14 November 1900. 3. Theodosia BRANCH (1879 - ?) She married W. Henry DAVIS on 26 August 1914. 4. Mack Lunsford BRANCH was born in February 1880 at Winn, LA. He married Beulah GWIN [#15], daughter of Andrew Jackson GWIN and Augusta Mc Neill, on 21 December 1913. He died on 14 April 1962 at New Orleans, Orleans, LA, at age 82, but was buried in April 1962 at Garden of Memories, Winnfield, Winn, LA. "In Memoriam Mack L. Branch was born in 1880 and moved to Winnfield from Gaar's Mill on November 11, 1901, where he went to work for the Smith-Grisham Drug Store, at the age of 21. In 1907 he and Mr. Grisham erected a brick building for a second drug store to be managed by Mr. Branch. This building was at the corner of Court and Jones Streets. By 1918 Mack had purchased Grisham's interests and passed the State Pharmaceutical Board examination. He also purchased a building joining the old Bank of Winnfield building and moved into this structure. He accepted the Walgreen Agency name in 1947 and kept it until his retirement in 1962. In 1934 Governor Oscar Allen appointed Mr. Branch to fill a two-year term on the Winn Parish Police Jury. In 1936 he was elected for a four-year term. He was a deacon at the First Presbyterian Church and served on their building committee. Mr. Branch died April 14, 1962 in New Orleans where he was hospitalized. In March he had sold his stock to the J. A. West Dry Goods chain and retired. Funeral services were held April 15 in the First Presbyterian Church in Winnfield and he was buried in the Garden of Memories. Serving as pallbearers were J. R. Harrison, F. L. Main, H. E. Powell, Jr., Kenneth Watts, Earl Applewhite, Robert Kraft, D. L. Hofmann, and A. W. Radescich. Surviving Mack L. Branch were his wife, Mrs. Beaulah Gwin Branch of Winnfield, (now deceased); two daughters, Mrs. Mary Virginia Reinhard and Mrs. Gwendolyn Walsh, both of New Orleans; one grandaughter, Carla Reinhard of New Orleans, and a sister, Mrs.Carrie Branch Tugwell, of Winnfield (now deceased)." Extracted from the "Winn Parish History Winnfield, Louisiana 1852-1985" pg 293 published by Winn Parish Historical Society "In Memoriam Andrew Jackson Gwin was born July 10, 1856 in Tennessee, the son of James and Malinda Gwin. When he was six weeks old his parents moved to Louisiana and settled at Rayville where he spent his boyhood days. His schooling was meager because of the adverse educational conditions existing in the south at the close of the Civil War. These conditions were not a serious handicap to A.J., whose indomitable will enabled him to surmount this obstacle by home study. Before coming to Winnfield, in 1903, Mr. Gwin lived in Ruston, Gibsland and Minden from 1885 to 1903. Soon after arriving in Winnfield he started construction on several brick buildings. At that time the Morris Bernstein store occupied the only brick building in town. In 1905 Gwin established a brick manufacturing plant here, which was one of Winnfield's first industries. It grew to be one of the chief business assets of the town, with its average yearly capacity of three million bricks, which were shipped to all sections of the country. In 1881 Mr. Gwin and Miss Augusta McNeill were married. To this union were born four children: John Malcolm and Beulah (Mrs. Mack L. Branch) , both of whom resided in Winnfield; David Jackson, of Union Springs, Alabama, and Joe Angus, who died in 1920. Mrs. Augusta Gwin died in March, 1909, and in December, 1911, Mr. Gwin married Miss Florence Humble of Mississippi. She was a teacher in the Winnfield school, and her personal charm and deep religious consecration made for her a special place in the hearts the people. Andrew Jackson Gwin died January 31, 1927,and Florence Humble Gwin died May 7, 1961. Both were buried in the Winnfield cemetery. Mr. Gwin was a Christian and one of the most influential members of the local Methodist Church. One of his rare traits of character wash is inherent aversion to the limelight. He never sought nor held public office, and was especially reticent about matter concerning himself. His quiet, gentle manner carried conviction of his true worth, and fortunate were those who came under his influence. Andrew Jackson Gwin had a peculiar claim on the interest of his fellow citizens because of the rare combination of character in his life which was unusually influential in many respects. His fidelity to high ideals, strength of character, and lovable personality together with sound business ability, accorded him a place in the respect and esteem of the people that is given to few. ' Extracted from the "Winn Parish History Winnfield, Louisiana 1852-1985" pg 292 published by Winn Parish Historical Society 5. Arthur BRANCH (1881 - 1918) 6. John Wright BRANCH (1883 - 1957) 7. Jerner M. BRANCH was born in February 1885 at Winn, LA. 8. Alvah S. BRANCH (1888 - 1952) 9. Carrie Irene BRANCH was born on 27 April 1893 at Winn, LA. She married Lloyd TUGWELL on 23 December 1922. She died on 1 October 1963 at Winn, LA, at age 70 and was buried at Garden of Memories, Winnfield, Winn, LA. B. Mary Polly BRANCH was born on 5 March 1854 at Winn, LA. She married Arthur Butler REED on 28 September 1871 at Jackson, LA. She died on 13 March 1900 at Jackson, LA, at age 46 and was buried at Spring Hill Cem., Jackson, LA. C. Martha Jane BRANCH married Claudius V. TERRAL. She was born on 22 November 1854 at Winn, LA. She died on 20 January 1917 at Goldonna, Natchitoches, LA, at age 62. D. Infant BRANCH E. John Alon BRANCH (9 Oct 1857 - 27 Apr 1904) married Susan A. Talbot. 1. James Theopholus BRANCH (23 December 1881 - 14 August 1901) He married Sarah Elizabeth GATES on 14 August 1901. 2. Cicero William BRANCH 3. Pinkney Edward "Ed" BRANCH was born on 13 September 1883 at Winn, LA. He married Ether WOMACK on 13 July 1904. Ed died on 20 December 1938 at Winn, LA, at age 55. Both Ed and Ether are buried at Harmony Grove Cemetery in the Gaars Mill Community of inn Parish, LA. 4. John Morgan BRANCH (1885 - 1950) 5. Umma\Umer C. BRANCH (1888 - 1940) 6. Mary Ella BRANCH (1890 - ???) 7. Anner Belsnee BRANCH (1892 - ???) 8. Ozzy BRANCH (1894 - 1923) 9. Infant BRANCH (1896 - 1896) F. Stephen Irvin E. BRANCH (1858 - 1900) He married Emma F. DARK on 6 January 1898. Stephen is buried at Harmony Grove Cemetery in the Gaars Mill Community of Winn Par., LA. Emma Dark Branch married 2nd to George Hutson. They are also buried at Harmon Grove Cemetery. G. Nancy E. BRANCH (1859 - 1868) H. Alamance 'Nan' Gabrilla BRANCH (1860 - 1923) Nan married Lorenzo D. Emmons. Both are buried at Harmony Grove Cemetery in the Gaars Mill Community of Winn Par., LA. I. Tennessee Permelia Ann 'Mealy' BRANCH was born on 18 December 1863 at Winn, LA. She married 1st to W. J. Hammons (buried at Harmony Grove Cemetery in the Gaars Mill Community of Winn Par., LA.) and 2nd, General James Beauregard SHOWS, son of James Dison SHOWS and Sarah THAMES, on 11 September 1887 at Winn, LA. She died on 21 January 1919 at Jackson, LA during the influenza epidemic, at age 55. She was buried on 21 January 1919 at Ebenezer Cem., Jackson, LA next to her 2nd husband. J. George R. L. BRANCH (1866 - 1893) He married L. A. C. REED on 20 October 1887. George R. L. Branch was a member of Harmony Grove Baptist Church. It is believed, but not proven, that he is buried in that church cemetery. L. A. C. Reed married 2nd to HENDERSON in Jackson Par., LA. K. Frances Neoma R. BRANCH (1868 - 1868) L. Susan Denise BRANCH (1870 - 1901) Susan married Richard Robertson. Article & Photos (c) June 1999 by Barbara Jo Castleberry Branch.