John M. Branton, Ouachita County, AR

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SOURCE: Chicago: The Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1889.
Contributed by Betsy Mills.
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Ouachita County, Arkansas - from Goodspeed's History of Arkansas

p. 657:
John M. Branton has been a resident of Ouachita County, Ark., for
nearly half a century, and in regard to the calling to which he has given
his attention through his life, he has followed in his father's footsteps,
and is an agriculturist.  He was born in Columbus County, April 5,
1832, being a son of Ephraim and Susanna (Tatum) Branton, who
were born in North Carolina, February 10, 1794, and January 10,
1794, respectively.  The father removed with his family to Mississippi
in 1834, from there to Alabama in 1837, and in 1843 came to
Arkansas, and entered a tract of land in Ouachita County at $1.25 per
acre.  On this farm he continued to reside until his death, which
occurred on May 10, 1857, his wife's death occurring on October 18,
1885.  Their marriage took place in 1816, and their union resulted in
the birth of thirteen children, only four of whom are now living: John
M., Wilson H., Alice J. (Widow of Reuben Webb), and Civil (wife of
Andrew J. Gillespie).  John M. Branton, the immediate subject of this
sketch, remained with his father until he attained his majority, and
upon the opening of the Civil War which had so long threatened the
country, he enlisted in Company F, under Capt. H. M. Purifoy, and
was a participant in the battles of Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, and at
the battle of Port Hudson he was captured and taken to Camp Butler,
at Springfield, Ill., but at the end of six months, was exchanged at
Vicksburg, Miss., and rejoined his regiment.  He soon after took part in
the second battle of Port Hudson, but was again taken prisoner.  After
returning home from the war he resumed the occupation of farming, in
which he has been more than ordinarily successful, for he is now the
owner of 560 acres of land, with fifty acres under cultivation, all of
which is excellent farming land.  He is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, is a Democrat, politically, and as a man is highly
respected by all who know him.  He has never married.