An American Family History

Nathanl (Nathaniel) Branstetter was born on July 20, 1823 in German Township, Clark County, Ohio. He was the son of Daniel Branstetter and Christina Bauman.

His father died in 1828 and in 1831 his brother, John Branstetter, was appointed his guardian.

He married Elizabeth White on January 15, 1846 in Tippecanoe County, Indiana. Elizabeth White was born about 1822 in Indiana.

Nathaniel and Elizabth's children were John H. Branstetter (1846), Charles E. Branstetter (1848), Mary Ann Branstetter Williamson (1851), Sarah E. (Sally) Branstetter Adams (1854, married Robert Todd Adams), William Branstetter (1858), and Edward Branstetter (1860).

Sarah E. Branstetter Adams

In 1850 they were living in Carroll County, Indiana. The family consisted of Nathan age 26, Elizabeth age 28, and Charles E. age 2. The household also included Alexander white age 29, John J. White age 14, and Moses White age 12.

At the time of the 1860 census they were living in Randolph Township, Tippecanoe County, Indiana. The household consisted of Nathan age 37, Elizabeth age 38, Charles age 11, Maryann age 8, Sarah age 6, William age 3, and Edward age 3. Nathan was a farmer.

They remained in Tippecanoe County during the Civil War. In 1870 they were in Sheffield Township, Tippecanoe County, Indiana. This census record is very difficult to read. The name was transcribed as Bameletter. The household consisted of Nathan age 47, Elizabeth age 58 (sic), Charles age 21, Mary age 19, Sarah age 15, William age 13, and Edgar (sic) age 11. Thirty-seven year old Louisa White was still living with the family. The census indicated that she could not write.

On May 19, 1874, according to the Congressional Serial Set

Mr. Pratt presented the petition of Nathan Branstetter, guardian of Louisa White, praying that she may be granted a pension on account of services rendered by her brother, Jesse J. White, late of Company F, in the One hundred and twenty-fifth Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry; which was referred to the Committee on Pensions.

The family appeared in the 1880 census of Wabash, Tippecanoe County, Indiana. At that time the family consisted of Nathan age 56 who was a farmer, Elizabeth age 57, Mary age 27, Sallie age 25, and Edward age 20.

Nathaniel died on November 19, 1882. He is buried in Burton Cemetery, West Lafayette, Tippecanoe County, Indiana with his wife Elizabeth who died on September 6, 1895.