The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-11-11
Death OF Captain w. T. Branch.


figure on our public square, and was known
to nearly everybody in the county. His
death, therefore. removes one of the old land
marks.
Captain Branch was the only son Of DR..
Isaac Branch, who came to this State from
Vermont. He and his brother Franklin
Branch, stopped at Old Cambridge for short
time, and they afterward, in 1870. came to Alb.
beville village, where they remained to the
end OF their lives.
They were carriage makers by trade, and
Franklin Branch continued at his trade until
bis death In the early thirties. His death
was sad one. He became engaged In diff.
Guilty with Samuel Adams. AT the time,
Branch had screw driver in his hand. Ad.
ans grasped II, turned the point toward
Branch and pressed 1t into Branch's body
while the unfortunate man still held the
screw-driver, but from the fatal thrust OF
which be was powerless to defend himself.
Adams was acquittal of the charge OF murder.
His brother, Isaac Branch, the father OF
Captain Branch, studied medicine, was ad-
mitted 10 the practice, and gave up his ousi-
ness as a mechanic. For many years he was
a participant in all the activities that looked
to the moral and material up-building of the
people. but he was never conspicuous in poll
tics. His labors were along the material and
the moral lines. In whatever he engaged be
carried with him an energy which was un.
ceasipg and untiring. He was Road Com mmis-
sloner for q long time, and II We are not In er.
ror, he took an active part in draining the
Norris creek which passed through the east
ern part OF the town. At time Of which we
speak the people of the town were greatly az
dicted by chills and fever. He and others
conceived the Idea that If tie creek was
dltched that good would come to the town.
The council ditched the creek, and from that
day to this time, the town has been compare
lively exempt from chills and fever.
In the construction of some OF the public
buildings DR.. Branch took an active part
For the 81 eater part Of his life he was much
Interested In the cause Of temperance, and he
often labored with more zeal than success in
fighting the evil Of intemperapce. He was at
the head of the temperance societies in this
county, and no draft on his time WAS SO great
that he did not with pleasure and earnestness
give to the cause Of temperance his best ef-
fort. Among other lodges of the Sons of Tenn.
perance which he organized, was one at Due
West, in 1854. II our memory is not at fault,
Thos. c. Seal, William Robertson James Ma
gill, and this editor were among the charter
members. We organized the lodge in the up:
stairs Of the store then owned by M. Win
stock. At that time the Associate Reformed
people were opposed. TO. secret societies, and
as boy, we were under the impression that
Col. D. o. Hawthorn was the first man that
Joined the Masons who was allowed to con.
tinue his membership in the communion.
Quite number Of the people thereabout had
previously joined the Masops at Abbeville,
aud their numbers Increased so that local
lodge was organized at Due West.
While the Sons OF Temperance did not meet
with the strong opposition that confronted
the Masons, yet, If the organization met with
any endorsement from any OF the older
church people we do not recollect the fact, ex
cept that DR.. Bonner said to this writer he
could not join us because 1t was secret So
oiety, but that be wished US much success in
promoting the worthy objects and aims of
the society,
In the practice Of medicine DR.. Branch was
governed by good judgment and the sincere
desire to benefit his patient. He was remark
ably gu ccessful In surgical work. DR.. Branch
and his good wife sleep at Upper Long Cane
cemetery, beside whose grave their beloved
son has just been laid.
DR.. Branch had two daughters-one mar
ried Richard Sondley. who kept railroad de-
pot for many years, before his death thirty
years ago. The other daughter married Mr..
r. M. Haddon of this city. Both daughters
have been dead many years. The son, Cap:
tain w. T. Branch. who has just died, was his
fathers pet, In whom all his hopes and all bis
ambition were centered.
In early manhood Captain Branch became
interested in Masonry. and perhaps devoted
more OF his time and talent 10 this institu-
ton than to any other one thing. At one
time he was Worshipful Master OF Clint ton
Lodge. at Abbeville, and at the time of his
death he was Past Grand Master of the Grand
Lodge OF South Carolina. AS Deputy Grand
Master he visited many Of the lodges, giving
instruction and encouragement to the breth.
rem. =. "''i'.'
In q business way, he was engaged nearly all
bis life In the insurance business, and, II not
at the time of his death, certainly at no dis
tantNday, be was agent for both life and fire
insurance companies. At one time he held
an appointment OF general insurance agent
for some of the companies with supervision
over local agencies In several States. :
1t seems, the irony of late that the agent
who could brook no opposition to life insur.
ance should be so unfortunate himself IS to
let his own life policy lapse.
Captain Branch cherished the memory OF
Lieutenant F. w. Seleck, who more than fl
ty years ago, carried the flag of his country
victorious over the walls Of Mexico. AS an
evidence OF his devotion to the memory of
the honored 6oldier he repaired the broken
stone which bad marked his grave for nearly
fifty years.
In his dress. Captain Branch was scrupu.
lously neat. and in his personal appearance
he was handsome man. In no article of his
apparel was he more proud than he was Of
the beautiful Masonic ring, which was award
ed to him as token of esteem by the Craft of
which he was an honored member.
Affllctions often come 10 us in way so as
to give the most bodily pain and mental an
guish. 1t was so with Captain Branch. A
good many years ago raw place, as large as
postage stamp. appeared on his face. For
years but little pain resulted from 1t, but its
presence was a matter of concern and anxiety
to him. AS time passed Its demarkation was
more pronounced and Its proportions were
increased. 1t needed dressing, and pain was
sometimes present. Local physicians were
consulted, and distinguished practitioners in
New York were seen. Whatever was done