CAROLINE (MAHAN) BRANSON.-Mrs. Caroline Mahan Branson was born in Kentucky January 13, 1832, a daughter of Jeremiah and Jemima (Browning) Mahan, both of whom were also born in Kentucky. Coming to Jackson township in Sullivan county, Indiana, in 1834, they entered land here at that early day, and the father was both a cooper and farmer, having operated a shop both before and after coming to this county. During the years of his residence in Sullivan county he also cleared his farm of two hundred acres and operated a saw and grist mill, becoming one of the best known men throughout the entire county, loved and honored for his many sterling characteristics, and he was known as "Uncle Jerry" by his many friends and acquaintances. His politics were Democratic, and he held to the Methodist belief. His parents, John and Sarah Mahan, were both natives of Kentucky, but they also came to Indiana and entered land near Hymera, where they became prominent agriculturists.
Mrs. Branson is one of the four children born to Jeremiah and Jemima Mahan, namely: William, deceased; James, whose home is in Jackson township; Mrs. Branson; and John J., deceased. The father was a second time married, wedding Nancy Cochran, and their ten children are Jane, George, Emma, Charles, Thomas J., Ann, Mary, Elizabeth, Jeremiah and an infant.
On the 1st of July, 1852, Caroline Mahan gave her hand in marriage to Isaiah Branson, the only child of Asa and Nancy (Allen) Branson, who were born respectively September 17, 1798, and October 18, 1801, in Pittsylvania county, Virginia. Asa was a son of Michael and Mary Branson. Mr. and Mrs. Branson have resided on their present homestead since their marriage, and their union has been blessed by the birth of eleven children, as follows: Nancy, deceased; Noten M., who married Sarah J. Miller and resides in Jackson township; Josephine Williams, of Jackson township; Lucy Flowers, whose home is in Oklahoma; Isaiah J., who resides in Hymera; John, of Jackson township; Charles, who died at the age of five years; Emma, also deceased; Stella Swift, of Clay county, Indiana, and two, the fourth and fifth born, who died in infancy.