Michael Bransfield was born in Youghal, County Cork, Ireland, on Dec. 20, 1833, the son of William and Mary Riordan Bransfield. On March 25, 1857, he married Ellen Creden in Girardeau, Missouri. They were blessed with two children.On May 31, 1861, Bransfield enlisted in Company H, 1st Kansas Infantry, as a private. Later that day, he was promoted to first sergeant. On June 5, 1861, he was promoted to second lieutenant, and on Nov. 10, 1861, he w…