In the early history of Manitowoc County, Branch, originally named Lenaville, boasted many businesses and amusement places. Some of the earliest businesses included a shingle mill and logging camp, grist mill, brewery, two sawmills, and two blacksmith shops in the early 1850s.

The name change from Lenaville to Branch occurred in 1872 with the first train passing through. Railroad construction had previously been put on hold during the Civil War. The station was built in 1872. Seven passenger trains and a freight train passed through Branch daily.

The written story of Branch begins with Edward Lenaville, an entrepreneur who walked from Green Bay and came to Branch in the early 1830s. To earn money, he worked at Jacob Conroe’s sawmill in the newly formed Manitowoc Rapids community. He returned to the Branch area and bought 100 acres of land and worked to build the community and attract residents. With the assistance of Conroe’s mill, a bridge was constructed over the Branch River for “1,500 feet of lumber at $7 per thousand”. The community soon became known as Lenaville.