BRAND, WILLIAM

BRAND, BECKER, RHODA, PANKUK

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 5/21/2004 at 15:05:57

Biography reproduced from page 526 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

William Brand, who for many years has been successfully identified with general agricultural interests of Buffalo township, where he owns two farms, one of two hundred and forty acres and the other comprising six hundred and forty, was born in Westphalia, Germany, December 6, 1848.

Reared in the land of his birth after the acquirement of a practical education, William Brand engaged in farming until 1884. Feeling assured from the many reports he had heard relative to the success of his fellow countrymen who had emigrated to the United States that he would here find better opportunities than were afforded in the old country, he took passage for America in the latter years with the determination to make it his home. He said from Bremen for New York, coming direct from the latter city to Kossuth county. Upon his arrival here he purchased three hundred and twenty acres of wild prairie land in Buffalo township, which formed the nucleus of his present beautiful homestead, paying seven dollars an acre for it. After erecting the buildings necessary for habitation he fenced his tract and prepared the soil for cultivation. He applied himself with unceasing diligence, but his efforts were well rewarded, and as his circumstances permitted he increased the value of his place by the erection of better buildings and the planting of a grove and orchard. A comfortable and attractive residence, large barns, substantial granary, cribs and outbuildings have done much to enhance the value of the place, which is well kept up and stands as a monument to the diligence and determination of purchase of its owner. Later Mr. Brand increased his holdings by the purchase of an adjoining three hundred and twenty acres, for which he paid thirty-five dollars per acre. On another occasion he purchased two hundred and forty acres, also adjoining his original tract, and he erected thereon a full set of improvements and it has always been regarded apart from the homestead. His fields are substantially fenced and tiled and have been brought into a high state of productivity. Mr. Brand has been living practically retired for several years past, but when operating his farm in connection with the cultivation of his fields he engaged in raising and feeding cattle and hogs, meeting with a gratifying measure of success in both. He is practical and exercises intelligence and good judgment in whatever he does, directing his undertakings systematically and in a well organized manner, his methods of procedure always evidencing carefully considered plans of action. His success, like that of every man dependent upon his own endeavors, is the result of intelligently concentrated effort and not chance. Since the death of his wife he has made his home on the smaller farm with his daughter, but is interested with his son in stock-raising and the cultivation of the old farm.

In Kossuth county in 1886, Mr. Brand was married to Miss Geph Becker, a native of Germany, who passed away in 1901, and to them were born five children: Henry, who is operating the home farm; Martin, at home; Marie, the wife of John Rhoda, who is residing on Mr. Brand’s small farm; Martha, at home; and Christian, also residing on his father’s farm, who married Miss Maggie Pankuk.

Mr. Brand and his family belong to the German Lutheran church, of which the wife and mother was also a member. Politically he is a republican, but never sought or held any office, the many exactions of his extensive interests precluding the possibility of his doing justice to the duties of an official position. He has never been remiss in matters of citizenship, however, but has always stood for progress in his community, where he has many friends and is highly respected by reason of his excellent qualities.