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1907 Past and Present Biographies

J. P. Brannen

J. P. Brannen, who owns and operates one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 28, Hardin township, Greene county, Iowa, was born in Clermont county, Ohio, May 23, 1860. He was a son of James H. and Elizabeth (Aultman) Brannen. His father was a native of Ohio, who served in Company H, Fifty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry for three years and was disharged on account of disability. At that time he emigrated to McLean county, Illinois, where he was interested in operating a farm up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1886. Mrs. Brannen after her husband’s death came to Iowa and located in Hardin township, Greene county, where she passed away in 1895. These worthy people were the parents of three children: J. P., the subject of this sketch; E. H., an agriculturist of Hardin township, who was born in Clermont county, Ohio, February 16, 1864, and is at present the owner of eighty acres of land in Hardin township; and Orla, who keeps house for her brother E. H.

J. P. Brannen spent his boyhood days upon his father’s farm, attending the public schools during the winter and assisting his father in the various duties of the farm in the summer. Early trained to agricultural pursuits, he has always been interested in that occupation and in consequence of his own ability and his early training he has made a success. He is now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land, which is considered the best kept farm in Hardin township. Mr. Brannen has always realized that farming, like other business, requires constant attention, wise judgment and the best scientific methods. He has brought all this to his enterprise and in consequence is considered one of the most industrious and successful farmers in the county. Every inch of this land is looked after as if it were a garden spot and so presents a well kept appearance.

Mr. Brannen was married in June, 1899, to Edith Forbes, a native of Dixon, Illinois. This union has been blessed with an only daughter, Fern. Mr. and Mrs. Brannen are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which Mr. Brannen is steward. They have always given their hearty co-operation to the interests of this church and are depended upon in all of the work which the church undertakes. Mr. Brannen has been a stalwart republican and has served for several years as township trustee. He is a member of the Independent Order Odd Fellows, at Jefferson, and his wife is a member of the Rebekah lodge. They are people who endorse the principle that four walls cannot hold a family and consequently have always been interested in the activities of their county and country. Their host of friends find a hearty welcome at their home and consider them most helpful and interesting people. In all their relations of life they are courteous, cheerful, genial and considerate of the rights and feelings of others.

Transcribed from "Past and Present of Greene County, Iowa Together With Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Prominent and Leading Citizens and Illustrious Dead,"
by E. B. Stillman assisted by an Advisory Board consisting of Paul E. Stillman, Gillum S. Toliver,
Benjamin F. Osborn, Mahlon Head, P. A. Smith and Lee B. Kinsey, Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907.

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