Branch was the first seat of Branch County, Michigan, so designated in 1831. [1] The settlement and county derive their name from John Branch, then Secretary of the US Navy. [2]
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. [3] A post office operated from 1835 to 1864. [1] The seat was moved to Coldwater in 1842 [2] and the village gradually died out.
41°55′46.0″N 85°03′16.7″W / 41.929444°N 85.054639°W