BRANT, John - 1914

BRANT, ANDERSON

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 7/7/2009 at 01:18:29

HISTORY OF
Cherokee County
IOWA
VOLUME II
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1914
by Thomas McCulla

JOHN BRANT.

John Brant, a well known and successful agriculturist of Liberty township, is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land on sections 26 and 35 and has for a number of years devoted his attention to the pursuits of farming and stock raising. His birth occurred in Sweden April 6, 1846, his parents being John and Hedwig Brant, who spent their entire lives in that country. The father followed general agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career.

John Brant, Jr., acquired his education in the land of his nativity and there spent the first twentythree years of his life. In 1869, attracted by the favorable reports which had reached him concerning the advantages and opportunities of the new world, he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, locating in Red; Wing, Minnesota. There he was employed as a hod carrier for some time and subsequently made his way to Keokuk, Iowa, where he remained for one year, working for the government on the canal. He next spent one winter in work on a railroad in Louisiana, and then took up his abode in Fort Dodge, Iowa, and labored as a farm hand for six years. On the expiration of that period he came to Marcus, Cherokee county, and for three years was employed as a section hand by the Illinois Central Railroad. Having carefully saved his earnings, he then purchased eighty acres of land on section 26, Liberty township, and began improving the property. As his financial resources increased, owing to his untiring industry and capable management, he extended the boundaries of his farm by additional purchase until it comprised two hundred and forty acres, eighty acres of which he sold in the fall of 1912. His place therefore embraces one hundred and sixty acres at the present time and half of the land lies in section 35, Liberty township. Since first coming here he has resided on that farm continuously with the exception of a period of three years which he spent on his farm of four hundred and eighty acres in Minnesota. He cultivates the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and also raises thoroughbred Jersey cattle, both branches of his business returning to him a gratifying annual income.

On May 8, 1868, Mr. Brant was united in marriage to Miss Hedwig Anderson, her father being Jonas Anderson, a native of Sweden. Our subject and his wife are the parents of ten children, namely: Albert, Esther, Hannah, Emil, August, Emma, Hulda, William, Mabel and Edna.

In his political views Mr. Brant is a republican and for a number of years he ably served as road supervisor of Liberty township. His religious faith is that of the Baptist church. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for here he found the opportunities which he sought and in their wise utilization has won a place among the substantial and esteemed citizens of Cherokee county.