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Martin BRANSTETTER, contractor and builder, was born in Pike County, Mo., December 1, 1844, and is the son of Lemuel J. and Sina (TOMBS) BRANSTETTER and grandson of Adam BRANSTETTER, a native of Germany, and a hatter by trade. He settled in Kentucky, and in his later days removed to Pike County, Mo. Sina Tombs was the daughter of David TOMBS, a native of Scotland, who made a settlement in South Carolina. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and came from Scotland for that purpose. Lemuel J. Branstetter was a farmer and stock raiser, and engaged in this business in Pike County, Mo. He died May 22, 1858, leaving three sons, all of whom grew to manhood and honored citizenship in their respective localities: Martin (the eldest), Simon O. (who died in Pike County, leaving a wife and child) and Lemuel Isam (who is now engaged in farming in Spring River Township). At the age of sixteen Martin Branstetter began an apprenticeship at the carpenter trade at New Harmony, Pike Co., Mo., which he completed, and worked at his trade until 1874, when he moved to Lawrence County, Mo., and has been prominently identified with the building interests of this locality since. He was married in Audrain County to Miss Annie E. SYKES, daughter of Joseph B. SYKES, a millwright and miller by occupation and a representative man from Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Branstetter are the parents of four sons: Raymond W., Murray, Elbridge and Byron. Mr. Branstetter and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in which they have held membership ever since their marriage. He is a Master Mason and he has passed all the chairs in the I.O.O.F.; is a member of the Encampment, and also a member of the K. of P. He has been justice of the peace here for six years. His first employment after coming here was in connection with the building department of the Frisco Railroad Company, in which he was engaged in the depot and bridge building department. The Rolla depot and several others in the Indian Nation are landmarks of his handicraft and ability. After three years of this work he retired to private residence and school-house building, among which may be mentioned the Node school building, the Wilkes school building, etc. etc.
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