H. B. Branstetter Dies At Veterans Hospital in St. Louis

VANDALIA–H. B. Branstetter, who has been a patient in the Veterans’ hospital in St. Louis for several weeks, passed away Monday at the age of 64 years, and 25 days. A military funeral was to be conducted Wednesday afternoon at the New Harmony Christian church east of Vandalia by Rev. Carl B. Robinson, pastor of the Vandalia Christian church. Interment was in the cemetery adjacent.

Harvey Brooks Branstetter, a son of John A. and Frances Kilby Branstetter, was born February 20, 1884. He was a native of the New Harmony community where his entire life was spent except three years when he was in a foreign land in the Philippine insurrection.

In early life he united with the New Harmony Christian church. In May, 1910, he was married to Mattie May Mitchell and to this union eleven children were born, two dying in infancy. Those surviving are John A. Branstetter and Mrs. Ruby Mae Elliot of Los Angeles, Calif., Mrs. Mary Frances Mudd of St. Louis; Bert Branstetter of Highland Park, Calif., Elmer and Richard Branstetter of Vandalia; Raymond Branstetter of the New Harmony neighborhood, Joe and Patsy of the home.

His wife died February 18, 1934, and he later married Annie Gordon and to them were born two children, Kemmie and Shirley of the home. Besides his wife and children he leaves 12 grandchildren, four brothers, Lee, Clarence and Dewey Branstetter of Louisiana, and George Branstetter of New Harmony; three sisters, Mrs. Louis Brown of Shuboggin, Wis., Mrs. George Biggs and Mrs. Beile Campbell, both of Kansas City, Kans., and several nieces and nephews.

Mexico Evening Ledger, Mexico, Missouri, Wednesday, March 17, 1948, Page 2, columns 4 & 5

Incorrect birth year on his headstone. His obituary states 1884 for his birth year and age 64 years old. His headstone and death certificate states he was born in 1881 and age 67. The 1900 census states his birth month and year as Feb 1884. His birth record and Social Security application both list his birth date as Feb. 20, 1884. World War I and II draft registration cards also have 1884.

His WW II draft registration card has his 1st name as Harvey but is signed Harve. The 1920, 1930, 1940 census records, his marriage license with his 1st wife, and his 2nd wife's obituary also have Harve.

Missouri, Birth Registers, 1847-1910
Name: Branstetter
Gender: Male
Race/Ethnicity: White
Birth Date: 20 Feb 1884
Birth Place: Pike County, Pike, Missouri, USA
Father: John A Branstetter
Mother: Fannie Branstetter

U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
Name: Harvey Brooks Branstetter
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birth Date: 20 Feb 1884
Birth Place: New Harmony, Missouri
Father: John A Branstetter
Mother: Fanny Kilby
SSN: xxxxx7916
Notes: Oct 1941: Name listed as HARVEY BROOKS BRANSTETTER

Brothers married sisters. His brother, Leland, married Jessie Mitchell, sister of Mattie.