Branchville was started by Jesse C. Esarey in 1866. He erected a saw and grist-mill. The plat of the town was made in 1874 by Daniel R. McKim. The first business men of the village were John C. Newton and John S. Frakes, partners in general merchandise. After them have been, among others, the following men: Robert W. Riley, Jonathan D. Esarey, James S. and Jesse G. Frakes and Solomon Snyder. The present business men are Absalom G. Miller and Jesse G. Frakes, partners, and John G. Frakes. The first doctor was John W. Lane, and after him came Alexander Ott, Hendrickson, Funk and Fullenwider. Miss Mary C. Riley was first postmistress, and John S. Frakes the present postmaster, having held the office since 1876 continuously. The Masonic order of Branchville was organized in 1873, under a dispensation, and was chartered the same year. The charter members were as follows: John S. Frakes, Master; James S. Frakes, John D. Carr, Absalom C. Miller, John H. Dean, Hiram Esarey and Jasper Dean. The lodge is fairly prosperous and owns a two-storied building 20×40 feet, which cost over $1,000. The present membership is twenty-five. John S. Frakes is the oldest living resident of the village. The population of the place is now seventy-five. There are fourteen dwellings, one schoolhouse, two stores and one saloon.

The first settlement made in Oil Township was by John Esarey and Thomas Vanderveer, who located on Oil Creek in 1810. Some of the subsequent settlers to 1817 were Jesse Morgan, Andrew Carmicle, Churles Myler, Mrs. Martha Myler, John Ewing, Robert Walker, William Dean, James Riley, Jonathan D. Esarey and Ebenezer Richardson. John Ewing was the first justice in the township, and James Riley the second. John Ewing was the first representative to the State Legislature. There are at present one Methodist, one Missionary Baptist and one Catholic Church in the township. The Methodists have a very good building one-half mile east of Branchville. The Missionary Baptist Church is located on Section 21, in the southwest part of the township. The Catholic, or “Church of the Holy Cross,” is located on Section 24, in the southeast part of the township, and is a substantial stone structure, 36×75 feet. The corner-stone was laid June 26, 1881, by the Rev. Isidor Hobi, of St. Meinrad. The church was projected and superintended in building by its present pastor, Charles F. Bilger, and cost in connection with the parsonage, $3,000. The first circuit riders of the Methodist denomination in Oil Township were Rev. Mr. Walls and Rev. Seaton. The first house built for school and church purposes was erected in 1817, was 20×24 feet. The first school was taught by James Riley. The first scholars were the Rileys, Walkers, Esareys, Falkenboroughs, Deans, Richardsons, Ewings, Frakes, andWillets. The house was located one-half mile southeast of Branchville, and was built by subscription. The Methodist Episcopal Church, near Branchville, was built in 1867, and dedicated by Rev. William H. Sabine. The first preaching was by the Methodists, and the first church member was Mrs. Delilah (Phillips) Walker. The first Presbyterians were the Ewings. Branchville is located on a line midway between the southeast quarter and the northeast quarter of Sections 13 and 24.