Edward Thomas Branch | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1811-12-06)December 6, 1811 |
| Died | September 24, 1861(1861-09-24) (aged 49) |
| Occupation(s) | legislator, soldier and judge |
| Years active | 1835-1861 |
| Relatives | Cornelia Branch Stone (daughter) |
Edward Thomas Branch (December 6, 1811 – September 24, 1861) was aRepublic of Texas legislator and Judge, and afterthe annexation of Texas to the United States, served briefly asSpeaker of the Texas House of Representatives
Branch was born on December 6, 1811, inRichmond, Virginia. After relocating toJackson, Mississippi, he settled atLiberty, Texas in 1835 after having been hijacked on his way toCuba and put ashore atAnahuac. He worked as a teacher in Liberty through early 1836.
Branch joined the Texas Army during theTexas Revolution, serving as afirst sergeant underWilliam M. Logan, and saw action at theBattle of San Jacinto. He later re-enlisted and served a stint asfirst lieutenant underBenjamin Franklin Hardin in 1837.
Residents ofLiberty County sent Branch as their representative to the First and SecondCongresses of theRepublic of Texas (1836–1838). He chaired the House Ways and Means Committee during both sessions. Branch was appointed a District Judge in 1838, which also made him an associate justice of theTexas Supreme Court. He served as judge until 12 August 1840.
In 1843, he served as postmaster of Liberty, and in 1846, as representative of Liberty in theTexas House of Representatives of theFirst Texas Legislature. During that session, Branch was elected Speaker of the Housepro tempore and served as Speaker from his election on 9 March 1846 until SpeakerWilliam Crump returned from a leave of absence on 16 March 1846.[1]
In private life, Branch split his time between farming and his law practice. Branch at one time owned over 3,000 acres (12 km2) of land and was aslaveholder. On 15 August 1838, Branch married Annie Cleveland Wharton, an adopted child ofWilliam Harris Wharton. Together they had five children, including a daughter,Cornelia Branch Stone. He was aMason and aMethodist.
Branch died on September 24, 1861, and is buried in Liberty.
| Preceded by None | Member of theTexas House of Representatives 1846–1847 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives 9 March 1846–16 March 1846 | Succeeded by |
