Henry R. Branson

                                                           Dexter, Kansas.
                              [Note: Henry R. Branson handled cattle and hogs.]
Dexter Township 1882: Henry R. Branson, 33; spouse, Eunice, 23.
[Note: It is not known whether the Gilbert Branson and Henry Branson referred to in the 1876 item were Henry R. Branson and his brother, Gilbert Branson. MAW]
THE WINFIELD COURIER. CENTENNIAL ISSUE.
WINFIELD COURIER, THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 1876.
On the 9th day of January, 1870, a party of fifteen men under the lead of Thomas Coats took claims along the Grouse Valley. Their names were John Coats, Wm. Coats, Joseph Reynolds, Gilbert Branson, Henry Branson, Newton Phenis, I. H. Phenis, H. Hayworth, L. B. Bullington, J. T. Raybell, D. T. Walters, S. S. Severson, John Nicholls, and C. J. Phenis.
[COWLEY COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.]
Winfield Messenger, July 19, 1872.
Board of County Commissioners met in the County Clerk’s office, July 15, 1872.
Dexter Township: Branson, was reduced from $1,200 to $1,000.
Dexter Township 1882: Henry R. Branson, 33; spouse, Eunice, 23.
Eunice Maurer, sister of John D. Maurer, married Henry R. Branson. She died on March 1, 1886.
Recap on John D. Maurer...
John D. Maurer was the oldest of five children, the others being: Sally A. (Martindale), of Emporia; Rowland C., who was a farmer, living with his family near his brother, John D. Maurer; Anna Belle, who died, near Emporia, at the age of twelve years; and Eunice, who married Henry R. Branson, and died March 1, 1886.
John D. Maurer was reared in Ohio, where he attended school until he reached the age of nineteen years. He spent two years of the time in a select school, receiving especial preparation for teaching. He taught one term in Ohio, and also one term after moving to Kansas.
At the age of nineteen years, he enlisted, on August 7, 1862, in Company B, 94th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and was discharged June 14, 1865. He served in the 14th Army Corps under Gen. Thomas, and was slightly wounded at Perryville, being incapacitated for service for six weeks. He also accompanied Sherman's army, as a private, on its "March to the Sea."
He journeyed to Kansas just after the close of the war, and worked as a cowboy for three years about Emporia, Lyon County, Kansas, and also engaged in farming.

A colony of his friends, 17 in number, first visited Cowley County in the spring of 1870. He also made a trip over the country, and finally located in Cowley County in November, 1870, bringing his family a short time afterward. He preempted his present home, the northwest quarter of section 20, township 32, range 7 east, as soon as the survey was made, and built a cabin 12 by 14 feet,  of native lumber. He hauled his logs to the mill of Bert French, at Dexter, giving half of the lumber as payment for the sawing. The lumber was of hackberry, walnut, and oak. In the spring of 1871, he split 3,000 rails, and in the winter of 1871-1872 he and his brother cut 300 tons of hay and took 350 head of cattle to feed. He set out two acres of orchard, and found that the Pippin and Ben Davis apples were the best for this county. He eventually owned 520 acres of land, having bought part of it of the preemptors, G. C. Graham, Albert Graham, and Will Coates, all of whom moved away. A part of this tract, 180 acres, was in the fertile Grouse Valley, and was bottom-land, which he cultivated, the remainder being in pasture. He fed cattle and hogs largely and was engaged in general farming, always raising some wheat so as to rotate his crops, but making corn the principal crop. He favored Poland-China hogs and Shorthorn cattle. His crops failed twice, owing to the ravages of the elephant bug. He ended up with a finely improved farm, which he would not part with for $15,000. His original claim house was enlarged and in it he lived with his family for 25 years. His last modern residence of eight large rooms was 28 by 30 feet, two stories high, built in 1899. A new barn, built in 1900, was 30 by 32 feet; arranged for 12 horses, and had a granary and crib with a capacity of 600 bushels of corn, and a mow which held 20 tons of hay.
[See Maurer file.]
Winfield Courier, December 27, 1877.
Henry Branson, from Grouse, was in our city last week.
Winfield Courier, March 14, 1878.
FROM GROUSE. Henry Branson and his neighbor Reynolds have been doing some valuable improving in the way of ditches through their farms.
While Henry Branson’s father and mother, from Green County, were driving along the bottom near John Brooks’ farm, their buggy ran into a deep hole in a branch and threw Mrs. Branson out. Her shoulder was dislocated by the fall. Under the care of Dr. Rule, he has got along quite well.
[COWLEY COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.]
Winfield Courier, April 18, 1878.
H. R. Branson. Road Viewer.
Winfield Courier, December 16, 1880.
The following are the grand jurors summoned by order of the court last week.
H. R. Branson, Dexter.
[GROUSE CREEK CORRESPONDENT: “A WELL WISHER.”]
Winfield Courier, February 9, 1882.
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Branson have returned from a visit to relatives in Greenwood County.
[TORRANCE CORRESPONDENT: “DAMON.”]
Winfield Courier, May 11, 1882.
A telegraph dispatch came here last Friday from Greenwood County, stating that the old gentleman Maurer was dying. Rol took the early morning train Saturday in hopes of finding his father yet alive. John was absent from home when the sad news arrived, but returned Saturday, and Sunday morning, with Henry Branson, started in answer to his father’s dying call. The intelligence of Mr. Maurer’s dangerous illness has struck a chord of universal sympathy in this entire community.
[GROUSE VALLEY CORRESPONDENT: “SUBSCRIBER.”]
Winfield Courier, May 18, 1882.

BIRTH. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Branson have a new boy at their house. It is a boy of average weight, and Henry is more smiling than ever.
We were pained to learn of the death of Uncle Jonas Maurer, an old and respected citizen of this neighborhood. He died at the home of his daughter in Greenwood County. The family and relatives have the sympathy of the entire community in this their sad bereavement.
Arkansas City Traveler, July 12, 1882.
Hon. Wm. Martindale, with H. R. Branson, of Dexter, paid our city a visit last week.
[DEXTER CORRESPONDENT: “GRANGER.”]
Winfield Courier, August 9, 1883.
Our inflated, jolly Dutchman, Mr. Royer, has sold his farm to Henry Branson, and will settle on Plum Creek.
Mr. Rol. Maurer is having a good stone house put up by a good workman, Mike Walters. Rol. proposes to stay in the valley.
[REPUBLICAN CONVENTION.]
Winfield Courier, September 6, 1883.
Committee on credentials reported the following named delegates and alternates for their respective townships.
DEXTER: Thos. McDonough, J. M. Reynolds, S. H. Wells, G. P. Wagner.
Alternates: H. R. Branson, A. B. Elliott, Wm. Radcliff, L. C. Patterson.
[DEXTER CORRESPONDENT: “GRANGER.”]
Winfield Courier, September 27, 1883.
A pleasant party was held at the residence of Henry Branson on Friday. Just the right number were out. The young folks vote it the best dance of the season.
[COWLEY COUNTY DISTRICT COURT.]
Winfield Courier, November 22, 1883.
Talisman: H. R. Branson.
[REPUBLICAN CONVENTION.]
Winfield Courier, July 17, 1884.
DEXTER. Delegates: H. R. Branson, Ed. Nicholson, D. A. Mandeth, L. G. Patterson.
Alternates: S. H. Wells, W. G. Seaver, R. C. Maurer.
[COWLEY COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.]
[From Winfield Courier.]
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, July 19, 1884.
Henry Branson, John Maurer, and W. W. Underwood were appointed viewers on A. W. Kavanaugh county road.
A. J. Thompson, A. H. Jennings, and J. P. Short viewers on J. W. Bryan county road; Henry Branson, John Maurer, and W. W. Underwood viewers on J. W. Edmonds road; same viewers on the Kavanaugh road.
Henry Branson, John Maurer, and W. W. Underwood were appointed to view R. J. Mead county road.
[REPUBLICAN COUNTY CONVENTION.]
Arkansas City Traveler, Wednesday, August 27, 1884.
Entitled to seats in the convention:
Dexter: H. R. Branson, Thos. McDonough, James Nicholson, Peter Thompson.

[COWLEY COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.]
Winfield Courier, Thursday, January 15, 1885.
Road petition of H. R. Branson et al granted, and S. M. Fall, H. B. Clover, and S. Morris appointed viewers.
Father of the Branson boys, (?) From Eureka pays a visit with sons: Henry, Mart, Abraham, and Lincoln...
[TORRANCE TROUBLES. “JAY-EYE-SEE.”]
Winfield Courier, Thursday, January 15, 1885.
Mr. Branson, father of the Branson boys, is visiting the boys. He came in on Saturday night from Eureka, his home. They all sat side by side at the table at the Torrance hotel and partook of dinner Monday last. They arranged themselves according to their ages. The father first, Henry next, Mart next, then Abraham, and Lincoln last.
[COWLEY COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.]
Winfield Courier, Thursday, January 29, 1885.
COUNTY ROAD NOTICES. H. R. Branson road, Dexter township; commencing at center sec 33, township 32, r 7 e; thence n on ½ sec line to n line sec 33, township 32, r 7 e; thence w on n line of sec 33 to nw cor of said sec; thence w on n line of sec 32, same township and range, until it intersects R T Wells county road. Also to vacate that portion of the Wells road commencing where it deviates from n line of sec 32, township 32, r 7 e, near nw cor of sec 33, town 32, r 7 e; thence sw till it reaches center of sec 33, same township and range. A. M. Fall, B. H. Clover, and S. Morris, viewers, and county surveyor will survey said road on March 19, 1885, at 10 a.m., and give all a hearing.
[TORRANCE ETCHINGS. “DAN.”]
Winfield Courier, Thursday, March 5, 1885.
Quite a number of young people from Torrance and Dexter gave Mr. H. R. Branson a surprise party last Friday night. All present seemed to enjoy themselves. Mr. and Mrs. Branson done all in their power to make the evening a pleasant one. All left knowing just where to go for fun.
[DEXTER NEWS. “MOSS ROSE.”]
Winfield Courier, Thursday, March 12, 1885.
Hon. J. D. Maurer has returned home from Topeka.
Considerable stock has been shipped from this locality of late. W. W. Underwood sold a carload of fat cattle, and Henry Branson two carloads of fat cattle, while other parties have been shipping hogs and sheep. A more enterprising and business class of men than Grouse valley affords is hard to find. Messrs. Hardwick and Peabody have been buying and shipping all winter.
[ABSTRACT OF COUNTY AUDITOR’S REPORT.]
Winfield Courier, Thursday, March 19, 1885.
Abstract of the monthly report of the County Auditor of Cowley County, Kansas, of claims certified to the County Clerk, on the First Monday of March, 1885.
H. R. Branson juror fees: $52.40.
[TORRANCE ETCHINGS. “DAN.”]
Winfield Courier, Thursday, April 9, 1885.

Mr. Henry and Link Branson left Friday morning for Eureka, having been called to the bedside of their brother, Mart, who is not expected to live.
[COWLEY COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.]
Winfield Courier, Thursday, April 16, 1885.
Viewers’ reports in the H. R. Branson, S. A. Bendure, A. A. Bowen, W. H. H. Rathbun and D. E. Standeford county roads were adopted granting the roads. No damages claimed.
[TORRANCE ETCHINGS. “DAN.”]
Winfield Courier, Thursday, April 23, 1885.
Mr. Henry Branson shipped three car loads of nice cattle Tuesday.
[TORRANCE ITEMS.]
Winfield Courier, Thursday, June 4, 1885.
Mr. Henry Branson received word Thursday morning that his father had lost his house, and everything in it, by fire.
[DEXTER. “MOSS ROSE.”]
Winfield Courier, Thursday, June 4, 1885.
Miss Lou Jarvis spent Sunday with Mr. Henry Branson’s family. Lou is teaching quite an interesting school southeast of Dexter. We wish her much success.
THE WINFIELD NATIONAL BANK.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, June 18, 1885.
We are in receipt of a handsome circular announcing the change of the Winfield Bank to the Winfield National Bank, with a paid in capital of one hundred thousand dollars, and an authorized capital of five hundred thousand dollars. H. B. Schuler is president and E. T. Schuler, cashier. The directors are H. B. Schuler, J. B. Lynn, C. Perry, Dr. Geo. Emerson, Arthur M. Green, of Pleasant Valley; H. R. Branson, of Dexter; and George H. Williams, of Rock. The new National opens up under the most favorable auspices. Mr. Schuler is a banker of long experience and is conservative and careful as a manager. The directors are among our best businessmen and capitalists. The old Winfield Bank has long enjoyed the confidence and a large share of the business of our people and THE COURIER predicts for the Winfield National, into which it has merged, long continued success and prosperity.
[TORRANCE ITEMS. “DAN.”]
Winfield Courier, Thursday, June 25, 1885.
H. R. Branson shipped several car loads of cattle last week.
[DEXTER. “MOSS ROSE.”]
Winfield Courier, Thursday, June 25, 1885.
Mr. and Mrs. Martindale, of Madison, Kansas, were visiting her sister, Mrs. Henry Branson, last week.
[TORRANCE ETCHINGS. “DAN.”]
Winfield Courier, Thursday, July 9, 1885.
Frank Pierce and Link Branson have sold their interest in the livery stable to H. R. Branson.
[TORRANCE ETCHINGS. “DAN.”]
Winfield Courier, Thursday, July 23, 1885.
Mr. Mart Branson and wife, of Eureka, are visiting his brother, Henry.

Winfield Courier, Thursday, August 6, 1885.
H. R. Branson, R. C. Maurer, and W. D. Allen were over Saturday from Torrance.
[TORRANCE ETCHINGS. “DAN.”]
Winfield Courier, Thursday, August 20, 1885.
Mr. Branson, of Eureka, was on a visit to his sons, Henry and Link, last week.
[OTTER VALLEY. “JESSE.”]
Winfield Courier, Thursday, September 10, 1885.
H. R. Branson was in Otter Valley last week buying cattle to feed.
[DEXTER. “MOSS ROSE.”]
Winfield Courier, Thursday, September 17, 1885.
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Branson have gone to Eureka to visit relatives. May they have a pleasant time is the wish of the writer.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, September 24, 1885.
Winfield National Bank. NO. 3351.
CAPITAL, $100,000. AUTHORIZED CAPITAL, $500,000.
President: H. B. Schuler
Cashier: E. T. Schuler
DIRECTORS: C. Perry, H. B. Schuler, Geo. H. Williams, J. B. Lynn, A. H. Greene, Geo. Emerson, H. R. Branson.
[DEXTER DOTS. “MOSS ROSE.”]
Winfield Courier, Thursday, November 26, 1885.
H. R. Branson will ship three car loads of fat hogs this week.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, January 21, 1886.
A meeting of the stockholders of the Winfield National Bank was held Tuesday, Jan. 12th, 1886. C. Perry, Arthur H. Green, Geo. Emerson, J. B. Lynn, Geo. H. Williams, Henry R. Branson, and H. B. Schuler were elected directors. The officers elected are H. B. Schuler, President; Everett Schuler, cashier; and Geo. H. Schuler, assistant cashier.
[TORRANCE ITEMS. “DAN.”]
Winfield Courier, Thursday, January 28, 1886.
Henry Branson’s children have been sick with the fever, but are getting better.
[DEXTER DOTS. “MOSS ROSE.”]
Winfield Courier, Thursday, January 28, 1886.
There is considerable sickness among the children of the vicinity.
One of Henry Branson’s twin children has lung fever.
Mr. Henry Branson was the recipient of quite a valuable New Year’s present from his wife, it being a handsome ten and a half pound boy.
[TORRANCE ITEMS. “DAN.”]
Winfield Courier, Thursday, March 4, 1886.
Mr. Branson and wife, of Eureka, are visiting their sons here.
Mrs. H. R. Branson is quite sick. We hope she is not dangerous.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, March 4, 1886.
Mrs. Henry Branson, of Grouse Creek near Torrance, died Tuesday.
[DEXTER DOTS. “MOSS ROSE.”]

Winfield Courier, Thursday, March 11, 1886.

Died, at her home three miles north of Dexter, on Monday evening, March 1st, Mrs. Eunice Branson, wife of Henry Branson, of pneumonia. Mrs. Branson’s sickness was of short duration, but very severe, not being bedfast quite a week. She was doing well up to Saturday morning when she took a relapse and rapidly grew worse until death ended all. Her only sister, Mrs. Martindale, residing at Madison, Greenwood County, was telegraphed for, but alas! She was too late to see her sister; her spirit had departed half an hour before her arrival. Mrs. Branson was a sister of R. C. and J. D. Maurer. She was twenty-seven years of age last December. Could she have lived a few hours longer, she would have witnessed her tenth wedding anniversary, as they were married March 2nd, 1876. It was a sad blow to Henry to give her up and more sorrowful still for those little, motherless children, who need a loving mother’s care more than anything in this world. But the Master calls and we must go. She leaves a husband and seven children to mourn her untimely loss, her youngest a babe two months old. She was buried Wednesday at 2 o’clock in the Dexter cemetery and was followed to the grave by a large procession of relatives and friends. The funeral was preached at the residence by Rev. N. A. Rankin, the Presbyterian minister of Dexter.
Hon. J. D. Maurer’s youngest child has been very sick with pneumonia; also his wife’s brother is afflicted with the same disease. At the present writing they are on the mend.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, March 25, 1886.
The third love tragedy for Cowley County since last fall has been enacted. Monday at five o’clock p.m., Jim Nichols came in from Dexter with the intelligence that A. B. Elliott, a wealthy farmer and old settler of Dexter township, had put a double charge of shot into the breast of his daughter’s questionable lover, Dr. W. M. Chastain. Sheriff G. H. McIntire and Deputy Joe Church, who happened to be here from Dexter, left immediately for the scene, followed closely by Coroner Wells, Assistant County Attorney Lovell H. Webb, and THE COURIER scribe. At the home of George Dunlap, the victim’s boarding place, lay the body of Dr. Chastain, with his left breast in a jelly from a heavy charge of turkey shot.
A. B. Elliott came to Dexter eight or nine years ago and bought the Bryan farm, right up against the village, and one of the best farms in Kansas—all in the rich Grouse valley. He also owns another farm near and is considered one of that section’s well-to-do men. He had always lived peacefully until this racket and has a host of friends. He has ten children, four of whom are grown. Two sons-in-law, William Radcliff and Moses Williams, live near him. He takes this murder with great coolness. He doesn’t deny it. He claims self defense. Public sympathy is largely with Elliott, though all agree that his attacking in the public highway will be bad. Elliott is fifty-five years old.
THE INQUEST. At 9 o’clock Tuesday morning, Coroner Wells began the inquest, with H. R. Branson, J. H. Serviss, S. H. Wells, A. C. Holland, and C. A. Peabody as jurymen. Lovell H. Webb examined about twenty witnesses. The jury’s verdict found A. B. Elliott the murderer. A post mortem by Drs. Wells and G. P. Wagoner revealed thirty-six turkey shot in the left breast, six of which entered the heart. It was a revolting perforation.
Winfield Courier, Thursday, April 1, 1886.
The preliminary examination, before Judge Buckman, of Alfred B. Elliott for the murder of Wilborn M. Chastain, at Dexter, on the 22nd, closed at five o’clock last evening. The defendant was granted bail in the sum of $10,000, which was promptly given. The court room was thronged with anxious listeners. The interest was intense and when the case was declared bailable, signs of approbation were noticeable all around.
The Judge said the evidence warranted the charge of murder in the first degree and the prisoner would be held. “I believe the prisoner is entitled to bail and as he is able to give sufficient bond, I will place his bond at $10,000.”

The crowded audience arose and the preliminary was over. Mr. Elliott was warmly congratulated at his fortune in getting bond. All over the audience and especially among the Dexterites, could be seen a strong leaning in favor of Elliott. The attorneys for the defense immediately prepared the bond. Plenty of men were on hand to sign the bond. The bondsmen are: Alfred B. Elliott, Rowland C. Maurer, John B. Harden, S. G. Elliott, John R. Smith, Azro O. Elliott, Isaac H. Penis, Tully G. Hoyt, George M. Hawkins, John M. Reynolds, J. Wade McDonald, James McDermott, H. R. Branson, and J. M. Jackson—fourteen names. The bond was approved. The bondsmen were not required to qualify. The bond aggregates big wealth.
Arkansas City Republican, Saturday, December 11, 1886. From Thursday’s Daily.
The contest for the Republican nomination for Register of Deeds next fall bids fair to be a lively one. The following is a list of the few who are already in the field with several townships to hear from: T. B. Meyers, of Winfield; J. M. McKee, of Sheridan; Henry Branson, S. H. Wells, and H. C. McDorman, of Dexter, Sam Rash, Harvey; Sam Phenix, Richland; Major Woodin, Arkansas City; Wm. Douglass, Fairview; S. P. Strong, Rock; Mose Teter, Beaver; N. W. Dressie, Winfield; and E. L. Johnson, of Sheridan. Quite a sprinkling of aspirants. Winfield Visitor.
1891.
Daily Calamity Howler, Thursday, October 1, 1891.
DEXTER ITEMS.
Miss Maggie Hoozer is visiting Mrs. H. R. Branson.
Daily Calamity Howler, Tuesday, October 6, 1891.
Henry Branson of Grouse was shaking hands with his many friends today.
Daily Calamity Howler, Saturday, October 17, 1891.
DEXTER ITEMS.
Henry Branson was in Kansas City last week on business.
Daily Calamity Howler, Monday, October 26, 1891.
H. R. Branson, of Dexter, is in town.
Daily Calamity Howler, Saturday, October 31, 1891.
Democrats Attention. In a conversation that I had with S. G. Gary on or about Oct. 9, 1891, he got a little warm over political matters and made, in substance, the following statement: “The democratic ticket was put up on purpose to beat the people’s party. They are going to do it and you fellows can’t help your­selves.” I told this to some parties and have heard since that Mr. Gary denies making the statement. Mr. H. R. Branson was present and heard the statement and will make affidavit to the same if necessary. So will I.
W. F. PIERCE.