Early Life
Branch was born in Martinsville the oldest of his four siblings Olive Branch, Leafy Branch, and Frank Oaks Branch. His parents were Elliot and Alice Parks Branch. His father was a Republican politician who had served in state government for several decades. His grandfather and great-grandfather had also been involved in state politics and served as state senators. He attended Indiana University and graduated in 1896 where he played on the school's championship-winning baseball team. He would be the first IU graduate to become governor. After college he studied law with his uncle Judge M.H. Parks. He was admitted to the Bar in 1899 and established a law practice in Martinsville.
During the Spanish-American War he enlisted in Company K of the 158th Regiment eventually rising to the rank of First Lieutenant. After the war he entered politics and was elected to the Indiana House of Representatives, serving thee terms from 1903 to 1909. During World War I he returned to the army as a lieutenant colonel of the 151st Infantry. He later commanded the 165th Depot Brigade at Camp Travis in Texas and served as part of the forces guarding the Mexican border in 1916 and 1917.
Read more about this topic: Emmett Forrest Branch
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