Tazewell Branch

Tazewell Branch (May 13, 1828 – April 30, 1925) was an American state legislator, former slave, and a shoemaker. He was twice elected to the Virginia House of Delegates.

Biography Branch was born into slavery on May 13, 1828, in Prince Edward County, Virginia and served as a house servant and shoemaker until his emancipation. He was literate and was considered intelligent by his contemporaries, aspects that worked in his favor once he was freed.

He married his wife Harriet Lacy around 1859 and together they had about ten children. Branch owned property in Farmville and was active in local politics. He was elected to serve as a Delegate in 1873 and was again elected in 1875, partially due to people defecting from his opponent's party, however he chose against seeking a third term due to a growing disgust for politics.