Dr. William J. Brandon
1837-1907
Source: The Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1889
submitted by Michael Brown

Dr. William J. Brandon physician and surgeon of Dayton, was born in Shelby County, Tenn., in 1837, his parents being Philip Brandon and Elizabeth Snell. The former was probably born in Alabama, and the latter was a native of Bedford County, Tenn., born in 1801. They were married in Alabama, whither Mrs. Brandon had removed with her people, and then went to Shelby County, Tenn., in 1830, where Mrs. Brandon died in 1864. Mr. Brandon was a farmer, and died in Alabama, while on a business tour, in 1842. The paternal grandparents of our subject were natives of North Carolina, and the grandfather, William Brandon, was a soldier in the Revolution, and of Irish parentage. The maternal grandfather, Stephen Snell, was of English descent, born in North Carolina, and served in the Revolution. He died in Texas in an early day. Our subject was left to help care for his widowed mother when a boy, and was the fourth of a family of five children. He attended the log schoolhouse in Western Tennessee, where he lived, and began the study of medicine upon attaining his majority. In 1859 he entered the Memphis Medical College, and after one course practiced with his former preceptor until 1861. He then joined the Fifteenth Mississippi Volunteer Infantry as lieutenant, but soon afterward became a soldier in the Twelfth Tennessee Cavalry, Company A. Confederate Army. In January, 1863, he was captured on the Mississippi and Tennessee line, near Colliersville, Tenn., but was afterward paroled. In 1863 he entered Bellevue Medical College at New York, and graduated from that institution the following year with high honors, since which time he has practiced his profession with success. In 1867 he married Medora Farned, a native of Mississippi, and daughter of Marshall Farned, by whom he has had two children. In 1868 the family removed from Mississippi to White County, Ark. In 1872 he went to Texas and in 1881 came to Sebastian County. Since 1882 the Doctor has practiced medicine and engaged in the drug business at Dayton with success, and he is also the owner of 300 acres of good land. He is a public-spirited citizen and a prominent member of the I. O. O. F. In politics he is a Democrat, and his first presidential vote was cast for Douglas in 1860. His wife is a Baptist in religion. February 3, 1905 Fort Smith Elevator September 4, Southw1907 Fort Smith Times Fort Smith Times September 8, 1907 May 4, 1936 Southwest American