Emmett Forrest Branch

Infobox Politician
name Emmett Forrest Branch


caption =
birth_date= May 16, 1874
birth_place= Martinsville, Indiana
death_date= February 23, 1932
death_place= Martinsville, Indiana
party = Republican
religion = Disciples of Christ [ [http://www.nga.org/portal/site/nga/menuitem.29fab9fb4add37305ddcbeeb501010a0/?vgnextoid=1ecc224971c81010VgnVCM1000001a01010aRCRD&vgnextchannel=e449a0ca9e3f1010VgnVCM1000001a01010aRCRD NGA Bio] ]
spouse = Katherine Bain [ [http://www.nga.org/portal/site/nga/menuitem.29fab9fb4add37305ddcbeeb501010a0/?vgnextoid=f9cc224971c81010VgnVCM1000001a01010aRCRD&vgnextchannel=e449a0ca9e3f1010VgnVCM1000001a01010aRCRD NGA Bio] ]
alma_mater= Indiana University
office =Indiana House of Representatives
order
term_start =1903
term_end =1909
predecessor =
successor =
office2 =Governor of Indiana
order2 =31st
term_start2 =April 30, 1924
term_end2 =January 12, 1925
predecessor2 =Warren T. McCray
successor2 =Edward L. Jackson
allegiance=United States of America
branch= United States Army
serviceyears=1898–1901
1903–1909
1916–1917
rank=Lieutenant Colonel
commands=151st Infantry, 165th Depot Brigade
unit=158th Regiment Indiana Infantry
battles=Spanish American War
World War I

Emmett Forrest Branch (May 16, 1874 - February 23, 1932) was governor of the U.S. state of Indiana from 1924 to 1925.

Biography

Branch was born in Martinsville the oldest of his four siblings Olive Branch, Leafy Branch, and Frank Oaks Branch. He attended Indiana University and graduated in 1896. He would be the first IU graduate to become governor. After college he studied law with his uncle Judge M.H. Parks. He was admitted to the Bar in 1899 and established a law practice in Martinsville.

During the Spanish-American War he enlisted in Company K of the 158th Regiment eventually rising to the rank of First Lieutenant. After the war he entered politics and was elected to the Indiana House of Representatives, serving thee terms from 1903 to 1909. During World War I he returned to the army as a lieutenant colonel of the 151st Infantry. He later commanded the 165th Depot Brigade at Camp Travis in Texas and served as part of the forces guarding the Mexican border in 1916 and 1917.

He was elected as lieutenant governor on the Republican Party ticket in 1920 and became governor when Warren T. McCray resigned after being convicted of mail fraud on April 30, 1924. His term as governor was brief and he focused on the continued improvement of the state highway system and public schools. His term ended January 12, 1925.

After his term as governor ended he retired to Martinsville where practiced law and lived until his death on February 23, 1932. He buried in the Hilldale Cemetery.

References

*Justin E. Walsh "et al." (eds), "Biographical Directory of the Indiana General Assembly," v. 2 (1900-1984), (Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Bureau, 1984), p. 50.

ee also

*List of Governors of Indiana

External links

* [http://www.in.gov/history/4155.htm Indiana Historical Bureau: Biography and portrait]
* [http://www.nga.org/portal/site/nga/menuitem.29fab9fb4add37305ddcbeeb501010a0/?vgnextoid=1ecc224971c81010VgnVCM1000001a01010aRCRD&vgnextchannel=e449a0ca9e3f1010VgnVCM1000001a01010aRCRD National Association of Governors]