BRANSON, Joseph March 10, 1917 Mariposa Gazette: PIONEER MARIPOSA MINER DIES OF HEART TROUBLE
Joseph R. BRANSON, pioneer miner of Hornitos, was found dead in bed at 8 o'clock this morning at the home of his sister, Mrs. M. PEARD, at 25 Twenty-first street, in this city. Death was due to heart trouble of which he had been a sufferer for the past five years. He had been failing rapidly for the past two weeks. He retired at 9:30 o'clock last night, apparantly in the same condition as earlier in th eday. His failure to rise this morning caused the household to feel alarmed and go to his room where he was found lifeless. It is beleived he had been dead an hour when discovered. An inquest was held late this afternoon.
Deceased was a native of Nebraska, in which state he was born January 9, 1860. He came to California when young, settling in Mariposa county, where he lived until five years ago when he moved to Merced.
He is survived by three brothers and two sisters, as follows: Hiram and William BRANSON, Mariposa; Wylie BRANSON, Ripon; Mrs. John TURNER and Mrs. M. F. PEARD, Merced.
The funeral will be held next Monday afternoon at the home of Mrs. PEARD, and the internment will be made in the I.O. O. F. cemetery, deceased having been a member of the Odd Fellows's lodge in Mariposa.- Merced Sun, March 3.