Jesse Powers Branham and Laura Ann Thrasher
Jesse was the eldest son of George Branham and Sarah Lawrence. He was born on 11 January 1869 in Albany, Clinton Co, KY and died on 29 October 1945 in Crossville, Cumberland Co, TN. He married Laura Ann Thrasher, daughter of John Wesley Thrasher and Malinda Jane Thrasher (first cousins), on 19 October 1893 in Clinton Co.
Jesse and Laura had nine children, eight of whom survived to adulthood. They lived in Albany until sometime between 1910 and 1920, when they moved to Roane Co, TN, to the general region where Jesse's great-grandfather, George Branham, had once lived before coming to Clinton County.
In 1920, Laura is listed as the head of household, although Jesse is listed as a member of the household; the Roane County archivist indicates that this was a common practice for couples who had separated. By 1930, Jesse and Laura appear to have divorced; we have not yet located Jesse in the census, but Laura is enumerated living next door to her daughter Mattie and son-in-law Fred Northern.
Jesse and Laura's daughter, Lula, used to say that Jesse had moved to Tennessee after getting into a fight over cards and killing another man; unfortunately, however, we have no further details on this and are still trying to locate records that might substantiate the story.
Laura's obituary lists her surviving children and siblings.
Jesse Powers Branham (11 Jan 1869, Albany, Clinton, Ky - 29 Oct 1945, Crossville, Cumberland, TN)
m. 19 Oct 1893, Clinton, KY
Laura Ann Thrasher (21 Aug 1872, Burkesville, Cumberland, KY - 14 Mar 1952, Louisville, Jefferson, KY)
Children:
i. George Washington Branham (1895-aft 1952); m. Martha unknown
ii. William Hobart McKinley Branham (Nov 1896, aft 1952); m. Mary Hall (?)
iii. Lena D. Branham (Mar 1897-25 Aug 1935); m. John Smith
iv. Lula Kathryn Branham (13 Jan 1900-31 May 1972); m. Harry Rowland
v. James O. Branham (1902-aft 1952)
vi. Charles H. Branham (1903-1903); only from "Early Times"
vii. Paul R. Branham (8 Aug 1904-14 Apr 1987); m1. Hazel Underwood; m2 Canis Jones
viii. Henry Taft Branham (4 Jul 1908-9 Feb 1970); m. Hazel Potts
ix. Mattie Branham (18 May 1909-14 Dec 1994); m. Fred Northern