The end of an Era

mad murdock · May 17, 2016, 01:33:52 PM

Well, like all things in this mortal realm, time marches on, and yesterday my father passed on to the next phase. There is a grand reunion on the other side with loved ones and family that have been waiting for his return home. He was 90 years young, and spend his whole professional career in the forest products industry in Northern Wisc, and Upper Mich. He began working for his elder brothers at C.V Branham Lumber co. which after the mill burned with fire in the late 40's was changed to Branham Woodland Products, Inc. They managed hundreds of thousands of acres of company land, and millions of cords of contracts with the big mills of the era, 50's thru the 1990's. There may well be some on this forum who knew of him or the company, Arnold H. Branham ended his career in the late 1980's as president of Branham Woodland and Branham Trucking, the company is now non existent, but through it my brothers and I sold wood, and were given a chance to work as contract loggers, selling wood to places like P&G in Green Bay, Champion Intl. in the UP and northern wisc. Badger Paper in Peshtigo, Thilmany, O&I, Consolidated Paper, and I am sure many others in WI, Mills in Gladstone Mich, veneer mills in Northern Wisc, and the U.P. I remember as a kid going with him to scale wood at the many collection yards that they had around the region, so that they could get "advances" on the wood from the mills, to pay advances to the loggers, and keep the chain moving for wood production. They managed large peeled contracts for a lot of the mills and that is where he had us boys (6 of us) cutting our teeth at a young age learning how to wield a spud, as he would have us fill small contracts each summer to keep us busy, getting .05 cents per stick that we peeled. I was doing that at 8 years old. I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to learn first hand what real work was all about, and the awesome mentor I had in him to show the way. He was the youngest of 12 children, and timber and sawdust were in our family's blood for generations, as my grandfather ran a mill near Jennings, Wisc. along with a general store in the early 1920's. I really enjoyed the years I worked in the woods full time, and am grateful to be able to pass that passion on to my children. My dad will be missed but surely not forgotten, I trust in the knowledge we will see him again "around the board".

Raider Bill · May 17, 2016, 01:57:56 PM

Sorry to hear this. Losing a Dad is tough.

sawguy21 · May 17, 2016, 02:49:17 PM

Sorry to hear this, it is never easy. That is a wonderful tribute, he packed a lot of living into 90 years and left a good legacy.

Sixacresand · May 17, 2016, 03:04:52 PM

Sorry to hear about your Father, Madmurdock.

Chuck White · May 17, 2016, 04:16:50 PM

My condolences Madmurdock.

Hilltop366 · May 17, 2016, 05:24:32 PM

I offer my condolences. It can't be easy.

Bruno of NH · May 17, 2016, 05:38:35 PM

Sorry for your loss .
He sounds like he was a great man .

Ron Scott · May 17, 2016, 06:00:32 PM

May he rest in peace among many trees.

Magicman · May 17, 2016, 07:27:57 PM

I offer my condolences to you and your family during this sad time. I am sure that you will remember and cherish the good times that you shared together.

coxy · May 17, 2016, 08:12:17 PM

sorry to hear about your dad

69bronco · May 17, 2016, 08:21:32 PM

Sorry, I miss mine regular.

WDH · May 17, 2016, 08:23:30 PM

Mad,

What a fine man and father. I know that you are proud.

mad murdock · May 17, 2016, 09:02:39 PM

Thanks all for your thoughts and well wishes. Thanks also to Jeff for this awesome place, you all feel like family. For sure the memories remebered, keeps our loved ones close always. There is a bright future ahead

WV Sawmiller · May 17, 2016, 09:40:00 PM

Mad,

Sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you and your family. I am glad you have so many fond memories of your dad. I pray this will get you through this trying time.

Carson-saws · May 17, 2016, 09:57:44 PM

sorry for your loss. I feel a person is never gone....until they are forgotten.

barbender · May 17, 2016, 11:44:34 PM

Sorry about your dad, Madmurdock- and thank you for sharing a bit about him.

thecfarm · May 18, 2016, 06:37:43 AM

My Dad never had a company,but he taught me alot about the woods.
Sorry to hear of your loss.

gspren · May 18, 2016, 09:14:22 AM

Condolences, last year my dad passed also at 90, there is seldom a day that I don't think of him in some way. As time goes on the remembrances are more often accompanied with a smile instead of a tear but it does take time, your memories of him will bring a smile.