Hopkins Co. TX - Obit for Capt. Merit Branom Submitted by: June E. Tuck ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *********************************************************************** Branom, Merit, Captain - Born Feb. 18, 1825, died Jan. 24, 1900, at his home near Como. He fell from a wagon sometimes in the forenoon, but his injuries were thought to be slight. Dr. McFarlin was called in and administered to him, but soon left the Captain cheerful and doing well. But in a few minutes he asked his son, Merit, to raise him up. He did so but instead of relief the old man died at once in the arms of his son. Thus passed away a hero of a thousand dangers and a pioneer of his race. Since 1839, he has been of and for Hopkins County and Texas. Captain of the Texas Rangers, when to be a private in the ranks during the civil war was a mark of the strongest manhood, he looked after the welfare of the few settlements in this part of the state and made it possible for the whites to survive the fury of their Indian enemies. In peace and war he has for these long years followed the path of duty as a lover of his country and God.