JOSEPH W. BRADEN, circuit clerk, was born in Giles County February 14, 1846, son of Jacob G. and Harriet (Johnson) Braden, and is of Scotch-Irish origin. The parents of our subject died when he was a mere boy, and at an extremely early age he was compelled to fight life’s battle for himself. He attended the country schools, and at the age of fifteen cast his lot with the Confederate States Army, in Company E, Eleventh Tennessee. He was captured twice, and both times made his escape. For one year after the war he attended school, his instructor being Edward Paschall Jr. After this he clerked for some time in the store of Stacy, Morris & Co. In 1875 he was appointed deputy clerk and master under Maj. J. B. Stacy, and that continued for four years. He then farmed for four years. In 1880 he married Miss Anna Bell Johnson, of this county. The fruits of this union were two children: Bessie and Rebecca S. Mr. Braden is a thorough Democrat, and in 1882 was elected circuit court clerk of Giles County. He has been one of the best officers the county has ever had, and is a highly respected citizen. Mrs. Braden is a member of the Presbyterian Church. (Goodspeed’s History of Giles County, 1886)