Brande, Thomas 1810-1899

BRANDE, BREWSTER, VAN VLECK, BRAINARD

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 1/21/2014 at 08:57:57

The Grinnell (IA) Herald
May 30, 1899

OVER THE RIVER.
-------------------------
Rev. Thomas Brande's Life Work Ended
--A Typical Grinnellite Gone to
His Reward.

It was with a feeling that a real loss had come to the community, that the word passed from lip to lip Saturday morning that Father Brande was no more. What a life of usefulness he has lived, a grand old man whose hopefulness, prayerfulness and love for his fellowmen shone with undimmed luster to the very day of his death. Few men live to the age of Father Brande. But infinitely fewer are the men who are permitted to retain their mental and physical vigor to the very day of their death.

No more words can do justice to the noble life just ended. His history is indelibly written on the history of Grinnell. His life is an integral part of our life. He first came to Grinnell in 1858. After but a brief residence here, he left so warm an impression that his return was incited in 1868. Strong in character, upright in life, few leave a nobler heritage to his descendants.

Thomas Brande was born in Leicestershire, England, July 1, 1810. He would, therefore, have been 89 years of age had he lived until July 1 of this year.

He came to America when 13 years of age to live with an uncle. Here he learned the trade of jeweler. In 1824 he was converted, and a few years afterward he began to preach. In 1830 he was licensed regularly, and afterward occupied pulpits at Waterford, Ticonderoga, Whitehall, Westport, including one year in New York City.

He came west in 1858, and was the first pastor of the Baptist church in Grinnell, whence after a year, he removed to Wisconsin, where he preached in different places until 1865 when he returned to Iowa, locating in Oskaloosa, where after one year he was called to be treasurer of the Baptist college in Des Moines. After one year's service there, he was again called to the pastorate of the church here, which he filled with credit to himself and increasing membership of the church.

Mr. Brande was a man of broad and liberal views on subjects relating to the happiness of mankind. He was thrice married, in 1833 to Miss Pearl Brewster, in 1841 to Miss Elizabeth Van Vleck, and in 1857, at Kenosha, Wis., to Miss Isabella Brainard. He leaves one son, Edward B. and this wife to mourn his departure. One daughter, Mary, died in 1855.

Mr. Brande was pastor here from 1868 to 1879, a period of eleven years. But during those years and since he was more than pastor, he was one of the leading men of Grinnell, a man whose advice was eagerly sought and judgment greatly prized on all public matters.

His death occurred Friday evening, a little before eight o'clock after but few short hours' illness. The funeral Sunday at three p.m., at the Baptist church was attended by a large circle of sympathizing friends, who gathered to do homage to the honored dead. The service was conducted by the pastor, Rev. G.E. Morphy, assisted by a friend of Mr. Brande during all the years of his residence here, Prof. L.F. Parker.

From Acts, XIII-36--"For David after he had served his generation, by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers," Mr. Morphy drew lessons from Father Brande's life, likening him in strength of spirit and of devotion to God, to the Psalmist of old. He briefly recounted the great changes in the world which Mr. Brande had lived to see, and spoke of him as a manly, industrious, earnest, hopeful, domestic man, a studious, conscientious preacher, a man whose untiring industry had shown itself in the writing of 3,000 sermons, a man loved and respected by all.

Prof. Parker's tribute was that of a friend, who knew Father Brande's active habits. He said that Mr. Brande's energy and self-sacrifice had made the present prosperous Baptist church possible, and spoke especially of the diligence he had exhibited not only as pastor but as layman in working for the church he loved as his own life.

Beautiful garlands of flowers entwined the casket, the gifts of loving friends.

Kind friends acted as bearers--Hon. Joel Stewart, Hon. S. Nelson, M.L. Norris, A.F. Barnes, C.F. Ricker, W.P, Raffety, A. Steele and G.H. Onthank, Mr. R.M. Kellogg, an old time friend, having charge of the obsequies. Ushers were Maj. A.C. Norris, and O.J. Worcester.

Present from abroad to attend the funeral were Mrs. S.W. Cole of Colfax, Iowa, Mrs. Frank Perley and Miss Evelyn Perley of Des Moines, mother and sister of Mrs. E.B. Brande.