The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-02-05
HUNDREDS HONOR
JOHN ?. BRANCH
WEALTH OF BEAUTIFUL FLORAL
Tributes At HOME. CHURCH
AND GRAVE.

AND GRAVE.
Their last tribute was paat. ~ tnou
sands at Centenary Church and aroune
the grave in Hollywood Cemetery u
John Patteson Branch. over whos'
form Bishop Collins Denny conducted
Impressive services, and Rev. DR.. y, L
Hatcher and Rev. DIR. Thomas A. Smoo'
spoke eulogies yesterday afternoon
The funeral of the aged financier ahe
philanthropist who died at his home
i West Franklin Street TUESDAY night
was conducted at the noon hour IL
Centenary Church. in when ne nae
FOR years been regular worshiper
and of which he was an active sup
porter. intern emit in Hollywood FOL
lowed. Both the church, around whicr
several hundred who could not gain en-
trance. stood, and the cemetery were
thronged during the time of the ser
vice.
Among those who attended the last
rites and who did honor to the re-
markable man. memory of whose ca
reer will live long in the hearts and
minds of the people of Richmond anc
of Virginia. were many men high III
the executive. judicial and business cir
cles of tina state. and nation.
Service at Ashland.
At the hour of the funeral students
Of Randolph Macon College. at Ash
land. which institution has substantial
cause for remembering the man. there
were conducted memorial services. Rev
John Kern, of the institution. conduct
ed tho service in the college chapel
Added to the impressiveness of the
occasion was the beauty of the scores
OF elaborate floral tributes. there hav-
ing been sent to the late home of Mr.
Branch, TO the church and even to this
cemetery In which the body Is at rest
floral pieces of varying design from
business associates. aeauaintances anc
heneficiaries.. These and many other
silent tributex which, though un.
spoken, came from the hearts of the
friends OF the man. added TO the vol.
time of the spoken words and the
thought that pervaded the throng was
one merging sorrow, regret, honor and
esteem.
Three beautiful hymns were rem
dered during the service In the church
Each was a favorite of Mr., Branch
They were Rock of Ages. Lead
Kindly Light" and Peace, Sweet
Peace"
Honer~d by Veterans.
Long before the arrival OF the cas-
ket in which the body OF Mr.. Branch
the church began 10 fil and when the
body, with Its escort of honor and its
bearers. reached the church every seat
was filled. From Lee Camp, United
Confederate Veterans. there came a
delegation aof old soldiers. lead by Cap
tain John 4. Lamb, To pay the last trib-
Ute Of the comrades to another.
The funeral service was read by
bishop Denny. 1t was in accordance
with the ritual OF the Methodist Epis-
espal church. and the manner OF its
conduct by the bishop lent IL marked
inpressiveness.
Rev. DR. s &. Hatcher. of Randolph
Macon College. at Ashland. who follow
ed Bishop Denny, paid tribute. lie
declared that John patteson Branch
Ia many respects, was one cf the most
charitable men of this age.
Loved His Fellow Man.
Continuing he said In part:
In every circle in which he moved
there rise those to pay tribute 10 his
character and matchiess power He
was a loyal friend and a devout Chris
flan One OF his greatest traits OF
character Was his love for his fellow
man
He was courteous and soIicirous
The badge OF admission to his conf
dence was manliness. His answer 60
the cry of the orphans Is found in
the two public buildings he erected In
Richmond, I have never known a
man with his patience In meeting the
appeals that daily came TO him. In
summing up his life. / would say
that he was a devoted and humble
Christian
His home was home for preach
ers. His loyalty and devotion to his
church was beautiful He represented
his church in all the councils of the
church. lie was a great believer ir
spiritual preaching. Brother Branch
lived close to God. He believed In
the power of prayer. and WAS ready 10
meet his Master"
Rev. DIR. T A. Smoot. pastor OF
Genetary Church. whose address con
cluded the services, characterized the
life OF Mr.. Branc, as triumph OF
character. He spoke briefly OF the
wonderful career that has come to n
close and referred the many acts OF
the man hat placed him among the
leaders n religious and philantropic
work.
Always Spoke Kindly.
u never knew him to speak un-
kindly of any one" said DIR. Smoot
He had no bitterness in his heart for
those who opposed him in the business
world. He lad a kind word for every
one. and was one of the noblest men
ever knew"
The paIlbearers were:
Active Thomas Il. McAdams. Fred
s. Campbell, Carter r. Grundy. c. c,
Pinckney. G. f. Eanderslice. Robert
G.. Cabeil, Buford Scott. Coleman
Workman, James r. Sloan, w. f, Blu
ford
Honorary-Major James II. Dooley.
Senator Claude A. Swanson. Colonel
william II. Palmer. John +. Glenn,
william II. White. Henry Walters,
Charles w. Hardwicke. John c. Free
man, Gustavus MiiIhiser, George w.
Stevens, James b. Pace. Colonel
Archer Anderson. Judge Edmund
waddill. Jr. John SHELTON Williams,
Leigh n. Page. Judge James Keith,
p. IT. Mayo DR.. Edwin l.. Hobson. G.
n. I.ang.iorne. DIR. George Ross, Q. S.
Morton. James Caskie. Burnett Lewis.
John .McGill, Alexander Hamilton,
James N Boyd, j. Stewart Bryan. Or.
Stuart Mcclure. s. T. Morgan. Rev.
+. T. Mastin. DR.. Edward Mcclure,
Milton =. Marcuse, Judge George l..
Christian. Lieutenant Governor J.
TAYLOR Ellyson. DIR. Joseph A. White.
DR.. Alexander G. Brown. Jr., F. I.
Glasgow CAPTAIN W Gordon McCabe.