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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Ouachita County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1890.  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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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 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 his return 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.

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This family biography is one of 91 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Ouachita County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Ouachita County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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