An American Family History

Henry Branstetter was born in 1803 in Pennsylvania. He was the son of Daniel Branstetter and Christina Bauman. He was a carpenter.

He (Henry Brunstautton) married his first wife, Mary (Polly) Pence (Pense), on June 27, 1827 in Clark County, Ohio (Clark County, Ohio Marriage Records: Marriage Licenses: Volume 1B, p. 166). They were married by William Sutton, a Methodist Minister. Mary was born on February 7, 1809 in Kentucky. Her parents were Abraham Pence (son of John Pence) and Jemima Robinson. Abraham was John Pence's son.

The family (Henry Branstetter) appeared in the 1830 census in German Township. At that time he had two boys.

Their daughter Sarah A. Branstetter Woodard was born in September, 1838.

They were still in German Township in 1840 and by then they had six children.

Mary died on June 22, 1841 and was buried the cemetery on Charles Rector's land on the Clark and Champaign County Line.

Henry married his second wife, Catherine Landis, on March 3, 1844 in Clark County, Ohio. Catherine was born about 1825 in Pennsylvania.

Catherine and Henry's children were Mary Ellen Branstetter (1847), Rebecca Jane Branstetter Merrill (1850), Charles Branstetter (1852), Elizabeth Branstetter(1854), Christina Branstetter (1856), Amanda Branstetter (1859), Frank Branstetter (1859), Susan Branstetter (1861), Henry Branstetter (1862), and Laura Bell Branstetter (1867).

The family (Henry Brunsteller) appeared in the 1850 census of German Township, Clark County, Ohio. The household consisted of Henry age 47 who was a carpenter, Catherine age 25, Mary E. age 4, and Jane age 1. Henry's older children were not living with them. Sarah was only 12.

In 1860 the household was still in German Township. The household included Henry age 57, Catharine age 33, Ellen age 13, Rebecca age 10, Charles age 8, Elizabeth age 6, Christiana age 4, and Amanda age 1. Charles' occupation was master carpenter.

At the time of the 1870 census, the family was living in Urbana Township, Champaign County, Ohio in the infirmary there. The family consisted of Henry age 55?, Catharine age 40, Charles age 17, Christena age 13, Amanda age 11, Frank age 10, Susan age 8, Henry age 7, and Laura age 2. Henry was described as having no occupation. The infirmary was a home for the poor, sick or insane of the county.

Further infirmary records indicate that Christina was discharged on April 7, 1875 when she was 18.

In 1880 Henry (Branstetter) was living with his daughter Sarah Woodard and her husband, William Woodard, in Tremont, Clark County, Ohio. 16 year old Frank was a border in Mad River Township, Champaign County.13 year old Laura was living with her sister Rebecca Merrill and her husband Marion Merrill in Mad River Township, Champaign County. 27 year old Charles was a laborer in Concord, Champaign County.

Henry died at the age of 81 on February 9, 1884 in German Township, Clark County, Ohio.

Catherine died on September 21, 1891 in Champaign County, Ohio. She is buried at Oak Dale Cemetery in Urbana.

William E. Woodard, aged 75 years, well known resident of Tremont City, died at his home at that place Saturday morning of heart trouble, following a two months illness. Mr. Woodard had lived in Tremont City for a long time, having been a teacher there. He is survived by widow, Mrs. Sarah Woodard; one daughter, Mrs. Clem Collins; three sons, Irvin of Chicago, and Charles and Harry of this city, and one brother, J. W. Woodard, of Chicago. The funeral will be held at the Methodist church at Tremont city Methodist church at Tremont City, Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Burial will be made in Calvary Cemetery, Tremont City.( from Daily News, Springfield, Ohio, March 17, 1914