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"BRANCH COUNTY"
by Randall Hazelbaker

ISBN: 0738539643 Price: $19.99 # of Pages: 128 Publisher: Arcadia Publishing, (888) 313-2665 Publication Date: 2005/11/16

Book Description: Branch County, home to the historic communities of Bronson, Union City, Quincy, Coldwater, and Sherwood, was named for John Branch, President Jackson’s Secretary of the Navy. The original county seat was Masonville, in 1830, followed by the Village of Branch in 1831, and finally, Coldwater, in 1842. By 1836 there were 30 inns between Sturgis and Quincy along the Sauk Trail. Railroads first traveled through Branch County in 1850, and the presence of trains facilitated further growth and settlement. Individuals in Branch County accumulated wealth by selling horses, participating in the burgeoning cigar industry, and producing agricultural goods. The county is divided into 16 townships, and this book details the history of each city, village, and small settlement. Author Randall Hazelbaker shares images and memorabilia from his vast personal collection to document and celebrate the development of Branch County.

Author Bio: Randall Hazelbaker is a Branch County historian and has collected photographs and memorabilia related to local history for over 25 years. He has researched and hosted several local history programs that have aired on cable television. He is the author of Coldwater, also published by Arcadia.