Nathan V. Branson

As printed in 1908

NATHAN V. BRANSON, a highly respected citizen of the village of Selma, who for many years was one of the most prosperous farmers of Madison Township and owner of two hundred and two and one-half acres of farm land, now the property of his son-in-law, was born November 19, 1834, near Cedarville, Greene County, Ohio, and is a son of Thomas and Anna (Vail) Branson, and a grandson of Abraham Branson, a native and life-long resident of Virginia.

Thomas Branson was a native of Virginia. When he moved to Ohio, he located in Belmont County for a time, moving from there to Greene County, and in 1854, to the present home of his son, Nathan V., where be engaged in farming until his death in 1875. He was first married to Anna Vail, a resident of Belmont County, Ohio, and to their union were born three children, of whom but one is living, Nathan V. After the death of his first wife, he married Thomasin Walker, no children being born of the second union.

Nathan V. Branson was reared in Greene County and obtained his educational training in its schools and at Richmond, Indiana. After completing his education he worked on his father 's farm until 1854, when he came to Clark County and located on the farm near Selma, where he has since continued to reside. In 1906 he sold the property to his sonic-law, Howard S. Smith. On November 18, 1858, he was united in marriage with Anna Swain, who died March 1, 1902. She was a daughter of Charles Edwin Swain, of Pendleton, Indiana. Three children were born to this union: Evelyn, wife of Ralph Howell, T. Swain, and Lewella.

Politically, Mr. Branson is a Prohibitionist and has served his township as trustee. The religious connection of the family is with the Society of Friends.

Howard S. Smith, son-in-law of Mr. Branson, was born in 1870, in Selma, Clark County, Ohio, and with the exception of three years, has lived here all his life. He is one of a family of four children and a son of Samuel and Esther (Cook) Smith. Samuel Smith, whose death occurred in 1901, was a resident and farmer of Greene County, Ohio, near Selma. His wife was a daughter of M. S. Cook, a resident of Avondale, Pennsylvania. She died in 1885.

Mr. Smith was reared in Selma, receiving his education in the village schools and at Earl College, Richmond, Indiana. He then engaged in farming, which occupation he still follows and is one of the most enterprising young agriculturists of the township. On October 4, 1899, he married Lewella Branson, the younger daughter of Nathan V. Branson.

Mr. Smith is a Republican in politics and is trustee of Madison Township. He is a member of the Societv of Friends.

As printed in 20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens (1908). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.