Genesee-Lapeer County MI Archives Biographies.....Branch, Thomas 1849 - 
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com September 22, 2007, 4:07 pm

Author: Chapman Bros. (1892)

THOMAS BRANCH. More than forty years have come and gone since this gentleman
opened his eyes to the light of day in the city of Flint. Here he grew to a
capable, stalwart manhood, and has since been identified with the development
and prosperity of his native county. He has been an especial factor in promoting
its agricultural interests, with which he is now connected, having a fine farm
in Forest Township. This estate comprises two hundred and forty acres of as good
land as is to be found in the township, and by persistent labor Mr. Branch has
brought it to a high degree of cultivation, and upon it he has erected suitable
buildings. His parents were among the early settlers of this county and it has
been his pleasure to witness and assist in almost its entire development from a
state of nature.

  Thomas Branch, Sr., father of our subject, was born in Cornwall, England,
while his mother, Zibbie (McGuire) Branch, was a native of Ireland. The father,
who followed the trade of a mason, emigrated to the United States, locating
first in Maine and later in Buffalo, N. Y. Thence he removed to Michigan,
settling in Saginaw and coming from there to Flint. Although not a native-born
American, he was a true patriot and soon after the opening of the Civil War  he
enlisted in defense of the Union, serving three years and returning home in
February, 1865, with a record as a soldier of which his descendants will ever be
proud. He survived until January, 1876, when he passed from earth, leaving to
his children the heritage of an upright life. The mother died about two years
prior to her husband's demise, in 1874.

  The subject of this biographical notice was born August 21, 1849, in Flint,
this State, and as soon as old enough, was sent to the public school of that
town, but when the late war broke out he became restless and longed to join the
army. His father enlisted and went to the front, and although he was only eleven
years old he resolved to follow him, and share in the excitement and perils of
the battlefield. Failing to secure the consent of his mother to this perilous
enterprise, he ran away from home in 1861 and joined his father at the army
headquarters. Thomas Branch Sr. was in charge of the supply train belonging to
the regiment, and later was given charge of the division supply train. When
father and son returned home, the former commenced to farm on the place where
the latter now resides, and the many improvements apparent on the estate are the
result of their efforts. The fine orchard which every autumn yields a large
harvest of golden, luscious fruit was set out the same year the father died.

  During the winter of 1875 a very important event occurred in the life of our
subject that being the date of his marriage to Charlotte Hibbard, a refined
young lady residing in Richfield Township, this county. Unto them were born ten
children, two of whom are now deceased—Thomas and Bessie, the former dying at
the age of two years, and the latter in infancy. The survivors are named as
follows: Nina, Hattie, Elsie, Fred, Lolie, Carl, Josephine and Roland, all of
whom are still under the parental roof, and by the careful training of their
parents are being fitted for useful positions in the business and social world.

  Since the death of his father, Mr. Branch has had charge of the old homestead,
although he has not always resided here. In 1878 he became proprietor of the
Branch House at Otisville, retaining the management of the same for eight years.
For two years afterward lie was engaged in farming, then moved to Columbiaville
and conducted an hotel there called the Bristol's Hotel. This he rebuilt and
named the Custer House. Since leaving that place he has remained continuously on
his farm, engaged in agricultural pursuits and stock-raising. He has never been
an office seeker, although he takes sufficient interest in political affairs to
cast a straight Democratic ballot. He belongs to the Farmer's Alliance, and is
considerably interested in educational matters. He and his wife are genial and
courteous, and their attractive home is the center of perfect hospitality.


Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties,
Michigan, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative
Citizens, Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State, and of
the Presidents of the United States

Chicago:
Chapman Bros.
1892


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