Oliver Winslow Branch (1878 - 1955)
Born at New York City (NY); died at
Lawyer, jurist.
Portrait by A. Van't Hoff, 1975
Presented to the State, date unknown.

Branch received his earliest education at North Weare (NH). The family moved to Manchester while Branch was a child, and Branch graduated from Manchester High School (1896). A year later he graduated from Phillips Academy (Andover, MA). Entering Harvard College as a freshman in Fall 1897, he graduated with the Class of 1901. Branch graduated from Harvard Law School in Spring 1904 and was admitted to the New Hampshire Bar in June 1904.

Branch began to practice law at Manchester with his father (1904 - 1909). In 1909 Branch was appointed to a committee to examine candidates for the New Hampshire Bar. The State Supreme Court appointed him to this committee, and he served on the committee until 1913, when Governor Felker appointed Branch an Associate Justice of the New Hampshire Superior Court.

Branch served as an Associate Justice on State Superior Court 1913 - 1924. In 1924 Governor Fred H. Brown appointed Branch Chief Justice of the State Superior Court; and in 1926 Governor Winant appointed Branch to the New Hampshire Supreme Court. After twenty years as a justice on the State Supreme Court (1926/46), Governor Dale named Branch Chief Justice (1946). Branch served as Chief Justice of the State Supreme Court until his retirement (October 4, 1949).

Reference: Peter Woodbury, "Oliver Winslow Branch", Proceedings of the Bar Association of...New Hampshire, 1955, pp. 39 - 41.