The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1872-04-03
Uh Es..s,U BRANCH.

Abbeville has lost one Of her oldest
and best citizens. DR.. Isaac Branch
died March 10, aged y years. A native
of Vermont, he came to South Carolin'
about the time he had attained the pro
portions Of vigorous manhood. E
young mechanic of strong intellect.
warm heart and uncommon energy, he
soon gained the respect of the strangers
among whom he labored; and soon felt
in himself the force of honorable aspi-
Tations, kindled by consciousness OF
ability, and sustained by the conviction
that honesty of purpose and earnestness
of effort ensure success. He read medi-
cine as he toiled at his trade-returned
to New England-studied under the di-
rection of the eminent DIR. Tully, grad
uated with high honor, and came back
topractice.
Again he visited the North in the
year 1929, to return with the bride
O. his heart to the home of his
choice. Here they lived together most
lovingly, and in beautiful devotion, and
steither to other," forty-two years.
Here their children were born and rear
ed. Here they dispensed a generous
hospitality, illustrated the virtues of
Christian character, and became dearer
and more dear to each other, until the
old man saw fis "darling' expire last
Fall, and felt that it was the survivor
that died. Dr. Branch's affections were
80 strong, hg feelings were SO intense,
that he never recovered from the
effect .of that last and heaviest blow.
The death of his son-in-law the year be-
fore, affected him greatly. Then follow
ed the death of lovely and tenderly
beloved daughter, 2 happy young
wife, and then-her mother! he was
overwhelmed. But his faith sustained
him, although to the last his ardent soul
struggled hard with the billows of des-
olating grief. The long and severe i'll
ness Of his widowed daughter filled him
with anxiety. Unremitting attention
and nervous excitement during the
week he thought her, too, passing away,
united to PROSTATE him utterly, and hur-
ry him from the stage of his incessant
activity. The strong man became as q
little child. Meekly, without word of
complaint, with most affecting gentle
ness iand submission, he suffered and
died. 0 the blissful meeting of loving
spirits in the light of the Redeemers
smile! s..-. --
DIR. Branch was q ehristian-a de-
cided, outspoken, working Christian.
Ip the year 1880 he joined the Church.
Always, everywhere he confessed Christ,
bowed in alteration before the majesty
of the truth Us it is in Jesus, and sup
ported with characteristic earnestness
aHmeetings and measures designed to
advance religion, and bless mankind.
Bible Societies, Missionary Societies,
Circles Of Prayer, Sunday Schools, Tenn
perance Associations, all had in him
jealous friend, an eloquent advocate, a
liberal contributor. Said an intelligent
gentlemen on the evening of his burial:
sIhave known and watched him for
many years, and am sure that he was
always on the right side of every moral
question" "
DR.. Branch was for many years
member of the Methodist Churcli-he
died Presbyterian. His change of
Church relation was not occasioned by a
change of doctrinal opinions, nor did it
estrange him from the denomination he
first Joined. In fact, the Doctor was at
home in all Evangelical Churches
loved and prayed for all sincere wor-
shippers and followers of the Saviour
On the afternoon of the day he was so
fatally stricken down, in concluding an
article for a newspaper, he wrote this
sentence, the last he ever penned: 81
have no use Tor denominational jealous
ies."
But he was not perfect. His tempcra-
ment was SO ardent, his nature so i'm
petuous; his views, tastes and senti-
, ments so decided that he sometimes Of
Tended by the severity with which he.
denounced the vices of others. He could
not tolerate hypocracy or impurity, and,
nodoubt, hewas sometimes lacking in
charity. But he was firm, devoted
friend, demonstrative admirer of good
men, and was thoroughly honest. He
wanted to. do right. AS physician he
spared no pains to relieve his patients.
As q citizen he constantly advocated
and contributed to the public weal-he
could not pass an obstacle to the public
comfort. without striving to remove it.
AS an agent, such was his fidelity-his
,dillgence-that his services were inval-
liable. AS writer, he displayed
strength of intellect, earnestness Of pur-
pose; directness Of aim; honesty of in
tentiop, frankness and force.
ASA man his chief characteristic was
action. He was seldom unemployed
Who ever saw him triflingly employed?
The writer of this slight tribute to his
memory made his acquaintance twenty
five years ago; has always honored him
for his virtues; excused his faults as the
result of temperament, not intention /;
and now on the eve of Easter, sees, by
faith, the spirit of his old friend crown
ed, restful, at home in Heaven.
w. T. G.
Mexican Generals are certainly not