The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-01-03
BRANCH MEMORIAL
IN PETERSBURG.
Elegant Window Presented to High
Street Methodist Church.
THOMAS BRANCH AND WIFE,
Interesting Tribute Paid by Rev. Dr.
\. G. Brown-SeriOus Accident 20
W. l.. Starkc by a Fall on
the Sidewalk.

PETERSBURG, VA, Jan. Z-Speclal.-
Mr. W. Z. starke. Of Lawrenceville.
Brunswick county. who is here on a visit
90 bis uncle. Mr.. Jos. PorcivalL Of this
city, slipped and fell on the sidewalk on
Washington street yesterday afternoon.
and cut his leg in a most painful man
ucr. and IS now confined 10 the house
from his injury Mr. starke tainted
three times before his wounds could De
dressed.
Mr. Chas EDps shot a buck weighing
10 pounds in Brunswick on last FRIDAY.
BRANCH MEMORIAL.
The memorial window I'm Hish-Street
Methodist Episcopal church 10 the MEM
Dry of Mr. Thomas Branch and Mrs.
Branch. was unveiled yesterday morning
iu the presence OF "a large congregation.
After exercises consisting Of appropriate
scripture reading. the window was pre-
scented by the pastor Rev. f.. Dadmun.
The sermon was preached by Rev. Dr.
a. J. Brown. presiding elder OF the Nor
folk district A paper was also read by
Dr. Brown on the life and character OF
Mr. Branch and Mrs. Branch.
This was in part as follows.
Thomas Branch. SON of Colonel Th)mas
Branch. of Willow hin. Chesterfield
county. Va, was born December 49, 1so2,
and December o. 1875 married Miss Pride
Read, the orphan child Of Mr.. John B
Read. deceased AT the house of her
guardian Colonel William Towns. of
Amelia county. They settled in Peters
burg and they lived most of the time
on west High street and dispensed an
abundant and elegant hospitality TO
them were given thirteen children, of
whom six remain TO this day.
CONVERTED.
Mr. Branch who, mp 90 the time Of The
death of his first born. was Intensely a
man of The world. fond of worldly pleas
ures. and much given To- worldly sports
at once and forever, reformed his life
and consccrated himself % the service Of
cod His young wife deeply realized the
vanity of earthly pleasures. Both hus-
band and wife at q camp-meetng in Din
widdie county, in the year 1881 were con-
vortcd TO God and united with the Meth
odist Episcopal church under Rev. David
s. D0ggett Mr.. Branch was elected 20
fin the offices Of trustee and steward.
and entered with zeal and success into
an church work. AS trustee. steward
and Sunday school superintendent. Mr.
Branch gave much of his time and means
TO the new church
As a. business man. ar. Branch was
noted far and wide for his energy, saga
city and tactful resources. A man among
men. he took high rank In commercial
circles. But alas, the wisest and best OF
mon are but men at their best. and often
their best laid schemes come TO grief and
disappointment. in the year ls4S. MIR
Branch iu cOpartnership with his broth
az. David. suffered a serious reverse OF
fortune. in the utter failure OF his bus
mess. but his friends, and they were
friends indeed. true and tried, came
promptly 10 his aid. Ills sons, notably
James and John. then at am age TO he.p
their father united heartily with his
heroic efforts 90 retrieve dis losses and
restore his credit Unitedly, they toil-
ed with pluck and push. ull success
crowned their industry and enterprise
His profits the first year netted 10000
and IN a Few years his wealth was great
err than ever.
CAME TO RICHMOND
Removing to the city OF Richmond. In
1865. his business enlarged and prospefed
I'm addition 10 the house Of Thomas
Branch and sons. ne was the founder and
first president of the Merchants National
Bank which is one Of the strongest bank
ing institutions in the South. Meanwhile
Mr.. Branch was the subject of deep al
Fiction. The loving companion Of his
bosom sickened and died, in the prime
and potency of a beautiful womannood O.
was in fact a kind and larec-hearted man.
I'm manner and tone of voice. MT. Branch
in fact q kind and laree-hearted man.
Frequently misunderstood and hafshly
criticised by comparative strangers, those
D.. %
him under AN condisons lie dctested
shams and doubtful methods. and was
prompt and emphatic in his condcmna-
ton of an such things whether I'm busi-
ness or I'm politics. But he Has foreiv-
ing. generous and sympathltc. His friend
Of many years Captain Richard lrDy
Ghan whom truer. Drawer man does not
live in this Commonwealth in letter or
recent Gate, speaks as follows. "Mr.
Branch ever acted on the Provera. Thy
friend and thy Fathers friend forsake
thou mott and he was not less careful
than Zeccheus TO restore fOurfoid 10 any
ono from whom he thought he had got
ton anything wrongfully lie adds Mr..
Branch was the most generous man /
ever knew.
GENEROUS MAN
HIS private DeueiactOrs were lHhuInti-
able. his means were used freely for his
own church. and for all good causes, for
years he was jealous and liberal sup
port of Randolph Macon College, Of which
he was an active friend and trustee. For
some years DE was president OF the bon
orae,le BOARD of Trustees. The Bible So
ciotv Of virginia had no more active and
liberal friend Widows and orphans and
The aged poor found in him a friend in-
deed" A distinguished physician whose
name IS not given. would add weight TO
his testimony. says: cone year just be-
fore Christmas. Mr Branch, referring TO
certain worthy old ladies who were very
moor said 10 me Il used 10 know their
father and I want to help them" Then
giving me three packages he said: take
these present TO them I did so. and
tod them that they were sent by an old
friend of their father but did not mem
tion his name
on being opened II was found that each
package contained five hundred dollars.
The grateful recipients began TO cry, and
said. I'VE have been praying the Lo.d
for relief but knew not where 90 l0yk
fef it, Similar u stances Of unOstonta-
tious bonehcence could be given: but
time wiz not permit Suffice II 10 say. n
"Ie that hath pity upon the poor.
lendeih unto the Lord; and that which
he hath given Will God repay him again.
then surely our departed friend and
brother must be rich in the possession Of