Page:Historical and Biographical Annals of Columbia and Montour Counties, Pennsylvania, Containing a Concise History of the Two Counties and a Genealogical and Biographical Record of Representative Families.pdf/490

 COLUMBIA AND MONTOUR COUNTIES course o f construction. H e w as at Port Clin­ ton when the engine used in the construction of the road arrived there* hauled by six horses from lliiladelphia, and w as put on to fire this engine, thus having the honor o f having been the first fireman on the first engine used in F’cnnsylvania. H e w as so employed for one year, and then went to work on the repairs of the railroad as section boss on three miles o f road. He next bought a canalboat and was fo r (wo years cngagi^ in the coal carrying trade from Port Clinton to Philadelphia, his boat being hired out* and he himself employed by the company. A fte r two years he ran his ow n boat for two years more, and then bought another boat, and for twenty-one years he was in the carrying trade with them on the canal, l>eing one of the first to take a boat to New Y o rk . A t one time he worked for Stephen G i­ rard. A fte r leaving the canal, M r. Brannen settled in Anthony township* Columbia county* and bought a68 acres o f land from the Glen property, lo which he added from time to time until he owned four farms, comprising about 700 acres, besides other property— the largest land holding farm er in his township. In nis later years his sons farmed his property for him. H e w as a highly reputed as well as prosperous resident o f Anthony township, took considerable interest in the w elfare of the locality, and even held minor offices, serv­ ing as school director, overseer of the poor (eight years) and roadmaster. Politically he w as a Democrat. H e w as a remarkable man physically as well as intellectually, living to the age of nearly ninety* his death occurring A pril 30, 18 9 1. He is buried in S t. James* Homan Catholic Ccmcter)*, Exchange. In 1834 M r. Brannen married, at Port Car­ bon. Pa.. Hanora Meehan, a native o f County T ipperary. Ireland, daughter o f Patrick Mee­ han. M rs. Brannen died Oct. 4, 1867. aged forty-nine years, nine months, eight days, and w as buried in St. Jam es Catholic cemetery at Exchange. She and her husband were both devout Catholics, b r ib in g their children up in tho same faith. T hey had a fam ily o f e ig h t: Judith, deceased; M ary, deceased: Catherine, deceased; John, deceased: William, deceased: Annie H annah; Jam es L . : and Patrick Francis, deceased. Jam es L . Brannen and his sister Annie II. Dennin own all the estate and have stocked the woods with pheas­ ants an<l squirrels. Jam es Lawrence Branncn had (he early advantages offere<l hy the public M'hoots in his locality, afterw an l attemling (ho acadcmv at Turbotvillc, Pa., and the State

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Normal School at Bloomsburg, where he was a student for thirty-two weeks. H e then taught school for (wo terms in Anthony town­ ship* following that with another period of study, at Binghamton, N . Y.* w'hcrc he at­ tended the Lowell Business College, gradu­ ating M ay 23, 1878. H e learned telegraphy there and took an all-around business course. H e lived at home on the farm until twentythree years old, in 1879 removing to Dan­ viUe (0 take cliaige o f (he " H u ^ o n R iver Hotel” as proprietor. H e conducted that house for four years* during which time his active political career began with his appoint­ ment, in f8K2* by <Governor Pattison* as chairman of the Democratic county commit­ tee* which position he held one year. H e also served on the State committee one year. In 1883 M r. Brannen w as candidate o f his party for the office o f coxmty treasurer* reccwing every* vote cast in the convention, and hcing elected by a m ajority o f 777, he and Dr. Simington receiving the greatest number of votes at that election. Mr. Branncn held the position for one term, giving the thorough satisfaction for which he has been noted in his discharge o f ail public duties intrusted to him. Then he returned to Exchange, where in February'* 1886* he reopened the hotel orig­ inally known as the "Exchan ge Hotel.” It w as not afterw ard operated as a hotel until Mr. Brannen took charge, and he carried it on successfully for fourteen years. F o r a mimber o f years M r. Branncn has given his attention principally to the affairs of the Farm ­ ers' National & in k, at Exchange, established Oct. 19, 1906, o f which he w as an organizer, and he has been president throughout the pe­ riod o f its existence. A lfred H. Litchard is vice president, and Jam es F . Ellis cashier. T he directors in 19 12 (report Oct. 14, 10 12 ) w ere: M arks Graham, D. R . Rishel, WiUiam Brannen, William S . Ellis, Tames F . Ellis* K. S . .Ammerman, J . N . H err, w illiam C. Hough­ ton. Jam es L . Branncn, A . H. U tchard and J . Harx'cy Litchard. TTic capital stock is $25,000, and the liabilities and resources w*erc $102,620.4^ at that lime. T lie bank is estab­ lished in Its own building, a modem brick structure 20x40 feet in dimensions. •Mr. Brannen's high standing in the com­ munity is well deserved. He has a practical knowledge o f finance in its relation lo local conditions gained in wide experience. H e is the ow'ner of 850 acres o f farm land. H e is still giving his services to his fellow* citizens in public work, having been elected associate judge in 1 9 1 1, l i e w*as secretary to the county