The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-03-25
! SAD CATASTROPHE--DEAT'H
OF MR.. w. II. BRANSON.

| Ths news of the death of Mr.. VIII
| Fl. Branson. by the bursting OF a
steam pipe in the pump room IN the
| Durham Cotton Mills yesterday, carried
sorrow and grief to all parts of the
| State. The sudden ending of the life
of any good man makes genuine regret
but when one SO widely known and
| highly esteemed is thus removed from
useful and busy life, the grief is "a
| poignant as it is widespread.
| Less than forty ysars old, Mr.. VIII
| Fl. Branson had won for himself high
position in North Carolina in business,
in his church and in the regard of his
| fellows. He won it by his ability. his
| industry and his integrity. He was "A
man of mis- word. He was true to his
promises. He was direct straightfor-
ward, manly. AS secretary and treas
urer of two of the most prosperous cot
| ton mills in the State, and bank director,
his place among the first business men Of
| Durham was establishes as trustee Of
| Trinity College, in which institution he
| took a deep interest his advice and
counsel were sought by his eo1trustccs
and the faculty; as Sunday school super
intendent steward of his church and
Treasurer Of the North Carolina Con
ference. he was Il leader III Methodist
circles. In all the relations of life he
lived up to his professions. and will be
missed by a large circle of business
associates and friends. In an ideal home.
which was his kingdom, the hearts Of all
who read the sad news will so out in ten
der and loving sympathy that from one
of hope of light and JOY it is suddenly con-
vert.d into one of darkness and gloom,
for its light and happiness went out
when VIII II. Branson passed away
yesterday. The devoted wife and chill
dren are the objects of universal sym
pathy, and many prayers will go up
for them in many homes, i'm North Car
DINA that He that doeth all things
well will give them His grace and His
strength in the day of their bereave-
ment and anguish
The following article, taken from the
News and Observer of November 2Sth,
1895, tells in part of the story of his
successful lifG, and shows the estimate
in which he was held while he lived.
There is mournful pleasure, now that
he is dead, in feeling that he knew
while in health that he was appreciated.
We quote from the issue of November
2Sth, 1895:
"Mr Branson was born at Cedar
Falls, Randolph county, May. the 23rd,
1860 In 1872 he went 10 Greensboro
with the hardware house of Odell. Regain
& Co.. afterwards Odell and Company,
and remained there until 1885, when he
came to Durham to accept the position
of secretary and treasurer of the Dur
ham Cotton Manufacturing Company
he was then only "A years old--a very
young man to be called to position
of such responsibility. But he had a
wise head. had shown high qualities as
a business man, was 4 consistent, God
fearing Christian man. and to these high
qualities he added industry and old-fash-
toned sense that before+the-war people
called horse sense. He had no desire
for those pleasures that claim so large
a share in the life of SO many young
men. He knew life was real and earn
est and it was the man who planned
wisely and worked faithfully who sooner
| l..xS a. 49, H s,,pa lsS
tious as n boy but he had none of the
MISUNDERSTANDING sort of ambition. 1t
was an ambition that sought the goal
by doing well every duty that fell to
him.
'Who is The most popular man in
Durhamy' was asked a company OF
young Durhanites not a great while ago
will Brafison," two or three answered.
and all in the company agreed that he
was.
In 1892 The Dukes and others planned
to build a large cotton factory. They
had not the time to give the business
their personal attention and they looked
about to find a man of business judg-
ment experience in the cotton mill busi-
ness and having the peculiar talent ne
| cessary to make it pay. They did not
| nave Tar 10 look anu Sefecleu MI. bfitdi-
son, who as secretary and treasurer
Of the Pearl Cotton Mills. has again
demonstrated his practical ability.
''Where else, not alone in North Caro-
| lima, but in the United States win you
| find a man just 80 years old secretary
and treasurer Of two such great manu-
| facturies, enjoying the confidence OF
every capitalist and every poor man III
the town in which he resides? You will
| find few others but in almost every
ease they are older before they are
called TO such responsibilities or they
are the sons of wealthy men and have
| had peculiar advantages at the start.
Mr.. Branson owes his present position
chiefly to his own capacity and indus
| try, the friendship and assistance Of
wealthy friends being based upon respect
and regard for him as a man and con-
fidence in his ability and integrity.
I'm addition to his dual duties as see
| rotary and treasurer of two great cotton
factories Mr.. Branson is director in
the Durham Cotton Manufacturing Com
pany the Pearl Cotton Minis Co., the
Odell Manufacturing Company in Com
cord; the Kerr Bag Manufacturing Com