Orlean Brandon Walter Collection

​The Archives holds personal documents and photographs from the estate of Orlean Brandon Walter (1886-1980) of Dover.  Included are several photographs of her stepfather, Gen. William M. Brandon (1866-1908), who was Adjutant General of the Tennessee National Guard during the 1899-1903 governorship of Benton McMillin.

Orlean Brandon Walter was the daughter of Morris Newton Brandon (1863-1896) of Dover and Corinne (King) Brandon of Meridian, MS. After the death of Morris Newton Brandon, Corinne married his cousin, William Milton Brandon (1866-1908) of Dover.

Orlean Brandon operated a bed-and-breakfast out of her home that she called the Fort Donelson Tourist Home.

A listing of the items in the collection is found on the Finding Aids page.

William M. Brandon house in Dover (now W. D. Sykes Museum); Gen. and Mrs. Brandon on the porch, others unidentified

November 1899 parade in San Francisco, led by Tennessee National Guard Adjt. Gen. William M. Brandon of Dover, welcoming the First Tennessee Regiment, US Volunteers, home from the Philippines. (l to r, on horseback) - Adjt. Gen. William M. Brandon, Dover - Capt. Robert Menees Milam, Co. B, Nashville - Hon. John W. Gaines, U. S. Congressman, Nashville - B. Nelson Coffman, 1st Lt. and Adjt., Clarksville - Richard A. Barr, Maj. and Chief Surgeon, Nashville - Albert B. Bayless, Lt. Col., Nashville

likely January 1901, a Nashville committee planning the grand return to Tennessee of the Tennessee battalion of the 37th Regiment, US Volunteers, from service in the Spanish-American War. The regiment had been garrisoned in San Francisco after its return from the Philippines. Gen. W. M. Brandon at center, with his wife Corinne behind him. To his left is Evelina (Bills) Polk, and behind her is her daughter-in-law, Mary Frances (Hibbler) Polk

November 1901, Nashville; commissioners appointed to revise the rules and regulations of the Tennessee National Guard: Lt. Col. John Walter Canada of Memphis, Col. John Jones Mitchell Jr. of Greeneville, Col. Thomas Setzer Hutchison of Nashville, Maj. John Edward Fisher of Nashville, Adjt. Gen. William M. Brandon of Dover, and Brig. Gen. Lawrence D. Tyson of Knoxville

staff and field officers of the Sixth Regiment, Tennessee National Guard, at their August 1902 encampment at Athens, TN; Adjt. Gen. William M. Brandon of Dover, seated center right; to his right, in civilian clothing, is Gov. Benton McMillin