JOHN R. BRANSON, clerk of the Newberry Township School Board and one of the most progressive citizens of that township, resides on his farm of fifty-nine acres located in Section 6, about three and a half miles north of Covington. He was born on the quarter section of which this farm which was a part, September 18, 1857, and is a son of DeWitt Clinton and Charlotte D. (Suber) Branson, his father being in his day one of the most prominent men of the county.

The first of the Bransons to come to Miami County, Ohio, was Moses Nutt Branson, grandfather of John H. He was born in Burlington (now Ocean) County, New Jersey, December 28, 1801, and as he was very young when his parents died, he was bound out. In 1817, at the age of fifteen and a half years, he came west to Montgomery County, Ohio, where he remained several years after his marriage, and then settled in Lost Creek Township, Miami County, and lived there until his death. He was married July 8, 1821, to Harriet Nutt, a daughter of Levi and Sarah Nutt.

DeWitt Clinton Branson was born in Lost Creek Township, Miami County, Ohio, May 1, 1828, and was there reared to manhood. After completing his schooling he began to teach, being eighteen years old at the time, and he continued at that vocation after his marriage and removal to Newberry Township. He served about eighteen years as justice of the peace, and later one term as county commissioner, and was widely known over the county. He owned a farm of 100 acres in Newberry Township, and another of eighty three acres in Shelby County, Ohio. His death occurred August 24, 1906, and he is survived by his widow. She was in maiden life Charlotte D. Suber, and is a daughter of George Suber. Mr. and Mrs. Branson became parents of the following. children: Harriet (Hildebrand); Caroline E. (Johnston) ; Willis, who is president of the Newberry Township School Board; John H.; Frank; Sarah (Hartzell); Lydia Ann (McMaken); and Angie (Routson).

John H. Branson was reared on his present farm and has always followed farming. He has from an early age taken a deep interest in public affairs, especially those relating to the welfare of his own township. He was elected township trustee and served until his removal to Newton Township disqualified him from filling out his term. He lived in that township for six years and farmed for Colonel Ullery when the latter was serving as county treasurer. During the Spanish-American War Mr. Branson served as corporal in Company A, Third Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was stationed with his regiment, first at Tampa, Florida, then at Fernandina, Florida, then at Huntsville, Alabama. He is a member of the Spanish American War Veterans. His farm adjoins the old Union Church, which was built in 1852 and is the oldest church building in the township. In 1900 he erected a magnificent brick residence of nine rooms, and the entire farm presents a neat and attractive appearance. He is serving his seventh year as a member of the School Board. Mr. Branson was united in marriage with Miss Nancy Jane Lawrence, who was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Joseph and Maria (Shafer) Lawrence. They have had four children: Albert W.; Elmer; Ruth, who died at the age of three years; and Benjamin Arthur.