mmett F. Branch, who succeeded
Warren T. McCray on April 30, 1924, was the thirtieth (person to serve as)
Governor of the State of Indiana. He was born at Martinsville, May 16, 1874,
the son of Elliott F. and Alice (Parks) Branch, both deceased. His father
was a leader in the Republican Party, at one time a member of the State
Committee, and County Treasurer, Emmett, affectionately known in Morgan County
as "Son," graduated from Indiana University in 1896.
Mr. Branch studied law in the office of his uncle, Judge M. H. Parks, and February 8, 1899, was admitted to the practice of law, which since then has been his profession and in which he has gained eminence.
He enlisted in Company K of the Indiana State Militia at Martinsville, April 27, 1898, and was the first man in Morgan County to offer his services at the outbreak of the Spanish-American War. On August 9, 1899, he was commissioned Captain and on November 9, 1905, was made Major in the 2nd Infantry.
During the disturbances on the Mexican Border in 1916 Emmett Branch was made Lieutenant Colonel of the 2nd Infantry, June 27, 1916. He and his regiment were mustered into federal service and went to the border with the troops. At the close of the Mexican trouble he was mustered out of the federal service on February 21, 1917. He again was mustered into service on March 26, 1917, when the United States entered the First World War, but was mustered out June 29, 1917. On July 4, 1917, he was assigned to command the 1st Infantry Indiana National Guard, and again was mustered into federal service on August 5, 1917, and commanded the 165th Depot Brigade at Camp Travis, Texas, until his honorable discharge on December 5, 1918. Colonel Branch's long interest in military affairs, his power of quick decision, and his interest in the welfare of his men have won for him merited distinction in the annals of Indiana.
In the year 1904 he married Miss Katherine Bain, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James G. Bain. Mr. Bain was a veteran of the Civil War, editor for nearly thirty years of the Martinsville "Republican," and at one time Postmaster in that city.
Mr. Branch has always taken a keen interest in politics. IN 1903, 1905 and 1907 he was a member of the House of Representatives from Morgan County and was chosen Speaker during the session of 1907 and the special session of 1908. In November 1920, he was elected Lieutenant Governor and served as President of the Senate in the session of 1921 and 1923. In the legislature he was a consistent advocate of local option. He made the nominating speeches for Charles Warren Fairbanks and James A. Hemenway when they were candidates before the Legislature for the United States Senate.
Governor Branch was a delegate to the Republican Convention at Cleveland in 1924. He called the first state safety conference, October 14-15, 1924, through the Public Service Commission, and strongly stressed the Industrial Board. After completing the unexpired term of Governor McCray, he did not seek reelection.
He is President of the Branch Grain and Seed Company and is stockholder in the Martinsville Trust Company. On October 15, 1929, Governor Harry G. Leslie appointed him a member of the State Armory Board. He lives at Martinsville.
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