Anthony Martin Branch

Branch moved to Huntsville in 1847 and formed a law partnership with Henderson Yoakum. In March 1862 he enlisted in the Confederate army, and about a month later he was elected captain of Company A, Twenty-first Texas Cavalry. On August 3, 1863, he beat Peter W. Gray for the Third District seat in the Second Confederate Congress. After Sam Houston's death he served as executor of the will and as guardian of Houston's children. Branch died in Huntsville on October 3, 1867, in the yellow fever epidemic and was buried in Oakwood Cemetery near Houston.

What the plaque says

Anthony Martin Branch Born in Buckingham County, Va.; came to Texas, 1847. Settled in Huntsville; entered law practice with Henderson Yoakum. Married Amanda Smith, 1849. Served in the 8th State Legislature, 1859-61; the Confederate army, 1862; and the Congress of Confederacy, 1863-65. U.S. Congress refused to seat him, 1866, because of his Confederate service. A friend of Sam Houston, he was named as co-executor of Houston's will. Branch died in yellow fever epidemic of 1867.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Fanthorp Inn State Historic Site — 31 mi
  A cedar-log dogtrot cabin of 1834 on the road through Anderson that grew into a seventeen-room inn and post office for travelers of the Republic, kept by one family until 1976.

More markers nearby

• The Huntsville Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1867 — steps away
• Henderson Yoakum — steps away
• Sam Houston — steps away
• Oakwood Cemetery — steps away