Branch, Branch County, Michigan

Branch was the first seat of Branch County, Michigan, so designated in 1831. The settlement and county derive their name from John Branch, then Secretary of the US Navy.

History

The village of Mason was initially selected to be the first seat of Branch County at inauguration, however due to a procedural error the decision was declared void and the as-then unbuilt village of Branch was selected as the first seat. A post office operated from 1835 to 1864. The seat was moved to Coldwater in 1842 and the village gradually died out.