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Below is a family biography included in The History of Madison County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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J. S. Brannon, one of the leading citizens of Madison County, and postmaster at Helth Post-office, was born in Spartinburg District, South Carolina, August 23, 1832, being the son of William and Judia (Slay) Brannon, both of whom were natives of South Carolina. The father followed agricultural pursuits all his life, and he and wife passed their last days in South Carolina, he dying about 1864, at the age of about seventy-three. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Their marriage resulted in the birth of twelve children, six now living: Mrs. Sarah Hammett, Mrs. Cynthia Gramlin, Mrs. Elizabeth Reagain, Mrs. Mary Bishop, William H. and J. S. The last named was the eleventh child born to his parents. In 1853 he left his home in South Carolina and went to Walker County, Ga., where he following farming, which he has since continued. June 19, 1856, he married Miss Elizabeth Carlisle, a native of Sevier County, Tenn., born June 10, 1836, and the daughter of Nathan Carlisle. Her parents moved to Bradley County, Tenn., when she was nine years of age, and from there to Georgia one year later. In 1857 Mr. and Mrs. Brannon moved to Arkansas and located in Washington County, where they resided until 1872, when they moved to their present location. Mr. Brannon is the owner of 280 acres of good land, all the result of his own industry. During the late war he served a short time as conscript in the Confederate army, and was at the battle of Prairie Grove. In April, 1884, Mr. Brannon had the post-office established at Helth Post-office, and at that time was made postmaster, and still holds that office. Previous to this, in 1882, he engaged in the mercantile business, which he continued for two years. To Mr. and Mrs. Brannon’s marriage have been born fourteen children, eleven living: Robert C., twin girls unnamed (deceased), Hettie A., Charles C., James M., Sarah C., Maggie V., Lavona F. (deceased), Mary A., John W., Nathan A., Dennie H. and Wayne M. Mr. Brannon and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is steward in the same. He is a member of the K. of H., is Republican in politics, and an excellent citizen.

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This family biography is one of 99 biographies included in The History of Madison County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Madison County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Madison County, Arkansas family biographies here: Madison County, Arkansas

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