Nathaniel W. Branson was born in 1837 in Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois. His parents were William Branson (1809? -1894) born in North Carolina and Jane Cooledge(1817?-1886) born in Kentucky..according to my information William and Jane were married in Kentucky ... Nathaniel had 4 siblings...the 1850 census lists initials for 3... S age 12 M age 8 S age 5 Kate one month William Branson was a cabinet maker/furniture dealer and mayor of Jacksonville, Illinois...he and Jane may have come to Illinois in 1836.. Nathaniel moved to Petersburg, Illinois after 1860 and practiced law there..he married Frances Regnier.. they had 6 children ..4 died in childhood...Edward R. Branson who was a telegraph editor for the Springfield Journal and Ella R. Branson who married Dr. W.M. Craig.. Who were William's parents?? anne bagby