Brannan Biographies, 20th Century History of Butler & Butler County
From 20th Century History of Butler and Butler county, Pa. and Representative Citizens, Ed. James A. McKee, Butler, PA. Richmond-Arnold Publ., Chicago 1909m p. 659
ISAAC REED BRANNAN, a successful farmer of Franklin Township and a citizen who enjoys the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens, resides on his farm of 180 acres and is engaged in carrying on general agriculture. He was born in Worth Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania, August 24, 1844, and is a son of Thomas and Mary Ann (Reed) Brannan.
WILLIAM BRANNAN, the grandfather, who was born in England, in 1775, came to the American colonies, being a member of the King's Life Guard Regiment, under General Cornwallis. He was one of the prisoners taken at York, Pennsylvania, but escaped and made his way through the wilderness to Western Pennsylvania and was one of the pioneer settlers of Westmoreland County. There he won the heart of an American girl, Susannah Hines, and they lived there until 1800, when they brought their family and possessions to what is now Scott Township, Lawrence County.
THOMAS BRANNAN was born January 29, 1797, in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and died October 13, 1872, in Butler County. When eighteen years of age he moved to Worth Township, Butler County, where he married, and in 1845, with his wife and ten children, settled in Franklin Township, on a farm now owned by his son, Isaac Reed Brennan. In politics he was a Democrat and although he never sought office, he was frequently elected to the same and served acceptably. His wife was a daughter of William Reed, of Neshannock Falls, Lawrence County, and they had the following children born to them: Susannah, now deceased, was the wife of Robert Williams; Jane, deceased, married (first) Francis Currie and (secondly) William McCall; William is deceased; Mary, also deceased, married Joseph McElroy; Elizabeth, now deceased, married Joseph Graham; Rebecca, residing with her brother Isaac R., is the widow of Jonathan Taylor; Thomas Darwin is deceased; Margaret Euphemia, deceased, married Curtis I. Christley; Alzira, wife of George Ifft, of Slippery Rock Township; and Isaac Reed. The parents were most worthy Christian people, members and liberal supporters of the United Presbyterian Church at Prospect.
ISAAC REED BRANNAN has devoted his live to agricultural pursuits and on his broad acres he raises great crops of corn, oats, wheat, buckwheat, rye and potatoes, and keeps about fifteen head of cattle. His place is well improved, the comfortable residence having been built by his father and the substantial barn by himself, in 1897. He has efficiently filled a number of local offices in his township but cares little for politics, finding more pleasure in attending to his business and in the enjoyment of the good will of his neighbors. He is a Democrat in principle.
Mr Brannan married Ruth Ellen Craig, a daughter of John Craig, of Liberty Township, Mercer County, and they were the parents of the following children: William, residing in West Virginia; Margaret, wife of Herbert McLaughlin, residing at Fredonia, Mercer County; John Craig, living in Colorado; and Howard Clement and Clarence D., both at home. The beloved wife and mother died in 1893, when aged fory-four years. Mr. Brannan is a member of the Muddy Creek Presbyterian Church. He is a man of genial manner, hospitable and kind-hearted, and is well informed on matters of local history.
