An American Family History

Charles F. Branstetter was born on August 30, 1812 in Heidelberg Township, Northampton County, which is now in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Daniel Branstetter and Christina Bauman.

He married Susannah Neff on February 7, 1833 in Clark County, Ohio. Susannah was born on April 22, 1812 in Virginia. She was the daughter of Abraham Neff and Barbara Weaver.

Charles and Susan's children were Elizabeth Branstetter Porter (1833), Barbara Branstetter Bennett (1836), Benjamin Branstetter (1838), Adam Branstetter (1840, married Lauretta Metz), Mary Amanda Branstetter Vineyard (1842), Raper Branstetter (1844, married Ella A. Tanger), Mary C. Branstetter Peniston (1847), Samuel N, Branstetter (1849), Charles C. Branstetter (1850) and John B. Branstetter (1856).

In 1840 they were living in Mad River Township, Champaign County, Ohio. They had two girls and two boys.

The family appeared in the 1850 census of Urbana Township, Champaign County, Ohio. The household consisted of Charles age 36, Susan age 35, Elizabeth age 17, Barbary age 14, Benjamin age 12, Adam age 10, Amanda age 8, Raper age 6, Mary age 3 and Charles age six months. Charles was a farmer.

In 1860 the family was still in Urbana. The household consisted of Chares and Susannah who were both 47, Elizabeth age 27, Barbara age 24, Benjamin age 22, Adam age 20, Manda age 17, Raper age 15, Mary C. age 13, Samuel N. age 10, Charles C. age 7 and John B. age 3.

Charles died on March 2, 1868 in Champaign County, Ohio. He was buried at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in German Township, Clark County, Ohio.

The family appeared in the 1870 census of Grape Grove Township, Ray County, Missouri. The household consisted of Susan Branstutter age 57, Samuel age 20, and John age 13. Samuel was a farmer.

In 1880 Susan was still in Grape Grove. The household consisted of Samuel age 31, his mother Susan age 56 (sic), and John age 24.

Susan died on March 6, 1891 in Carroll County, Missouri.

Abraham Neff was born in 1784 and was Christian Neff's son. He first settled in the Shenandoah Valley, Rockingham County, Virginia shortly after the American Revolution and married Barbara Weaver on March 9, 1805.

Abraham Neff and Barbara Weaver's children were Catherine Neff (1806), Mary Neff (1807), Adam Neff (1808), Barbara Neff Turman (1812, married Benjamin Turman), Susannah Neff (1813), Elizabeth Neff (1813) and Christian Neff (1816).

Abraham and Barbara migrated to Clark County, Ohio in the spring of 1832 settling in German Township west of Tremont. They traveled the entire distance in a covered wagon pulled by four horses and were about nineteen days enroute.They brought their two sons and five daughters with them.

Abraham owned 235 acres near Tremont which he willed to his sons, Adam and Christia who were to make yearly payments to their sisters.