J

Joel Branham.

UDGE BRANHAM, like many other distinguished men of Georgia, was born in that fine middle section that lies mid

way between the mountains and the sea. He first saw the light at Eatonton, in Putnam county, on August 28, 1835. His father was a distinguished physician, Dr. Joel Branham, and his mother was Emily (Cooper) Branham, a lady of rare intelligence and charming social qualities. On both the father's and the mother's side, Judge Branham is connected with some of the most distinguished families of Georgia—such, for example, as the Nisbets, the Coopers, the Boykins, the Turmans, and others. The only school advantages that Judge Branham ever enjoyed were obtained in the "old-field" school at Eatonton, where he studied until his fourteenth year. In his fifteenth year he moved to Morgan county and began work in a store in the town. of Madison. Three years later he returned to Eatonton and opened a jewelry house, beginning business with a stock worth ten thousand dollars.

By 1856 the young merchant decided that he ought to study law. and in 1857 he was admitted to the bar by Judge Robert V. Hardeman, of the Ocmulgee Circuit. Two yenra Inter he moved to Macon, where he devoted himself actively to the duties of his profession. His native ability, his legal learning, and his prnial manners drew to him many friends, and he was successful from the very outset. Honors and responsibilities c.me to him quickly. He was admitted to practice in the United States Circuit Court in 1860, and about the same time Governor Brown appointed him Solicitor-General of the Macon circuit, to fill an unexpired term, and subsequently re-appointed him for the full term.

When the War between the States broke out, the brilliant young Solicitor-General felt it his duty to take up arms for the South, and, accordingly, on the 20th day of April, 1861, he entered the Confederate ranks, serviug as a private in the Macon Volunteers, Second Georgia Battalion. With reference to his career as a soldier, it is not too much to say that, from the time he was mustered in until the time he was honorably discharged, he never once shirked a duty.

Shortly after the war, Mr. Branham moved to north Georgia and opened his office in Rome, where he was associated in practice with the lamented Chas. H. Smith ("Bill Arp"). He enjoyed a large and profitable practice, and established himself firmly in the esteem and affection of his fellow-citizens. In January, 1880, he was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of the United States. In July, 1882, Governor Colquitt appointed him judge of the Rome circuit; and in the same year he was elected for the full term by the Legislature. He wore the ermine most worthily, and it can be said very confidently that his record while on the bench will compare favorably with that of any man who has preceded or followed him. So high was the valuation set upon his legal attainments that he was called, on more than one occasion, to preside in the Supreme Court in certain cases in which Justice Jackson was disqualified. His opinions and circuit court charges attracted wide attention, and established his reputation as one of the ablest lawyers in the State.

In January, 1887, Judge Branham retired from the bench and resumed the practice of the law at Rome. That his services in a legal capacity were in great demand is shown by the fact that, before many months had passed, he was employed as Division Counsel for the Richmond and Danville Railroad, Division Counsel for the Receivers of the Central of Georgia Railroad and Banking Company, and Division Counsel for the

Savannah and Western Railroad. His connection with all railroad property ceased in November, 1895, but in March, 1901, he was prevailed upon to accept his old place as Division Counsel of the Central of Georgia Railroad, which position he still holds.

Few men in the State take higher rank in the legal profession than does Judge Branham. It is universally recognized that his learning is profound and accurate, that his grasp of legal principles is sure, that his personal integrity is of the most exalted type, and that his courage is as dauntless as his nature is kindly. His character as a lawyer is so well rounded that it is not easy to point out his special distinction in the profession, but he is probably at his best in the management of complicated equity causes.

Judge Branham was married in 1861 to Miss Georgia C. Cuyler. Mrs. Branham died on January 13, 1889, leaving two daughters—Mrs. George H. Peniston, now of Washington, D. C., and Mrs. D. S. Appleton, now of London, England. Since the death of his beloved wife, Judge Branham has found such solace as he could in the society of his friends, and in the rendering of useful service to his neighbors and fellow-citizens. He leads a serene and contented life, and in his tastes and sympathies he is as young as a man of thirty-five. So far from withdrawing himself from active life, he is public-spirited in the hiphest degree, and is always ready to encourage those movements that are designed to increase the happiness and promote the culture of his community. He entertains a high respect for religion, and looks upon it as the very foundation of a healthy social order.

Judge Branhan, the man, is a striking and interesting personality. His height is medium, his build is slendor, his bearing is dismified. his manners are easy and cordial. He is fastidious in his dress, and has about him a certain air which one

would be apt to describe as "patrician." His temperament is poetic, even romantic, but guarded by fine taste and a keen sense of the ludicrous.

The high esteem in which Judge Branham is held was brought out strikingly on the occasion of his seventieth birthday. Many distinguished men—including governors and United States senators came from Georgia and other States to do him honor. Apropos of this birthday celebration, one of the most eminent journalists of the South published in the Atlanta News the following tribute to Judge Branham:

"Judge Joel Branham, of Bome, whose recent unique and charming celebration of his seventieth birthday, which was perhaps one of the most notable social events of the season in North Georgia, is the rarest and most genial of men. A lawyer of more than ordinary ability, a judge of high repute, an advocate of convincing power and a practical politician as well, he is jet a man of tender and exquisite sense of humor and genial pood fellowship, and a philanthropist of the most effective mould.

"Judge Branham has been mentioned at various times for Governor of Georgia, for Justice of the Supreme Court, and for representative of the seventh district in the American Congress, and he would doubtless have graced any one of these po sitions with great ability. By his own choice he has now settled voluntarily into a green and beautiful old age, in which he takes rank easily as 'The First Citizen of Rome.''

T. J. SIMMONS.