Agent who selected the location of Lawrence and leader of the first party of the New England Emigrant Aid Society.
Early in July, 1854, Mr. Charles H. Branscomb, of Holyoke, Massachusetts and Mr. Charles Robinson of Fitchburg, Massachusetts visited Kansas as agents of the New England Emigrant Aid Society to select a location upon which their parties of emigrants could settle. They selected the present site of Lawrence.
The first party sent out by the Emigrant Aid Company left Boston July 17, 1854. It numbered twenty-nine men. The leader of this party was Charles H. Branscomb.
One history tells us how at one time General Lane at Lecompton sent Colonial Cline and Charles H. Branscomb with a flag of truce to General Marshall demanding the unconditional surrender of the Free-State prisoners.
Mrs. George Barker of Lawrence had Mr. Lawrence photograph this picture from an oil painting owned by Mrs. W. Hoadley, a daughter of Mr. Branscomb. Mrs. Barker gave this picture to the library June 1,1932.
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