An American Family History

William Branstetter was born on January 3, 1819 in Clark County, Ohio. He was the son of Daniel Branstetter and Christina Bauman.

After his father's death, in 1831 his brother, John Branstetter, was appointed his guardian.

He (William Branstator) married Eliza Magart (Maggart) on May 30, 1841 in Clark County. Eliza was born on January 2, 1824 in Ohio. Her parents were Reuben Maggart (Magart, son of John Maggart) and Nancy Hullinger.

William and Eliza's children were Henry Branstetter (March 1, 1842, married Elizabeth Trobaugh), Emily Branstetter Gordon (July 10, 1844, married Levi Gordon), Nancy Branstetter Gano (1848, married Richard Gano), Jacob Branstetter (1850, married Ruth C. Harmon), John Branstetter (1853), and Malinda Branstetter Unger (1855, married Franklin Pierce Unger).

William and Eliza moved to Clinton County, Indiana with the Maggart family.

At the time of the 1860 census they were living in Warren Township, Clinton County, Indiana. The household consisted of William age 41, Eliza age 36, Henry age 18, Emily age 15, Nancy age 12, Jacob age 10, John age 7, Malinda age 5.

Eliza died on January 23, 1870. She was buried in Grays Cemetery.

In 1870 William (Branstiter) was still in Warren. The household consisted of William age 51, John age 17, Malinda age 15 and Malissa A. James age 10.

William married Margaret Compton on December 25, 1873 in Clinton County, Indiana. Margaret was born about 1820 in Indiana. She was Nathan Compton's widow. She had four children; Reuben Compton (1840), Mary J. Compton (1842), Abijah Compton 1843), and Rebecca Compton (1846). Reuben died at Andersonville Prison and Abijah was lost in the Battle of Chickamauga.

In 1880 Margaret and William were still in Clinton County.

He died on August 25, 1892 and is buried in Grays Cemetery, Middlefork, Clinton County, Indiana where some of their children and Eliza's parents, Nancy and Reuben Magart were also laid to rest.

James N. Branstetter
The methods followed by James N. Branstetter, successful farmer of Warren township, Clinton county, always bring success when persistently applied as they have been done in his case, for he is a man who lays his plans well before beginning their execution. He realizes the fact that this is an epoch when farming must be done along somewhat different lines than it ever was before in the history of the world, and he has sought to find out everything possible regarding the most approved methods, being careful to accept those that were applicable to this soil and climate and just as careful to discard those which were not. So he has succeeded, as might be expected, for, besides knowing what to do and when to do it he has ever been an untiring and persevering worker. Mr. Branstetter was born in the above mentioned township and county, January 10, 1873.

He is a son of Jacob and Ruthy (Harmon) Branstetter. The father, who was born in Clinton county, is still living, making his home in Russiaville. The mother of our subject was born in Tennessee and is also still living. The elder Branstetter devoted his early life to general farming, but for the past fifteen years he has been employed in a grain elevator in Russiaville, and has built up a wide and lucrative trade, and is one of the substantial business men of that section of the county. To these parents four children were born: Mrs. Ella Lauchner, Mrs. Alice B. Haynes, James N., of this review, and Charles (deceased).

The subject of this sketch grew to manhood on the home farm and received his education in the common schools. On February 22, 1899, he married Ethel J. Norris, who was born in Clinton county, Indiana, three miles east of Frankfort, in 1878. There she grew to womanhood and was educated in the public schools of that district. She is a daughter of William and Sarah J. (Fudge) Norris, both parents being natives of Indiana. They devoted their activities to farming. The father is deceased, but the mother is still living. Seven children have been born to our subject and wife, namely: Morris, Fay, Vern, Eldo, James, Ruth and Charles.

Mr. Branstetter moved from Clinton to Carroll county, when a boy and there engaged in farming. Returning to Clinton county in 1898 he resumed farming here which he has followed with success ever since. He owns one hundred and sixty acres of well improved and well cultivated land, all tillable, but about eight acres of well improved and well cultivated land, all tillable, but about eight acres which is in timber. He has a good home and good outbuildings. He raises a large number of live stock from year to year.

Mr. Branstetter is a Democrat, and religiously, he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. He is not a public man and yet his support may always be depended upon in furthering any movement of general interest to his locality.