Biographies
For
Muscatine County Iowa
1889



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 217

CONRAD BRANDT, one of the highly influential and respected citizens of Sweetland Township, Muscatine Co., Iowa, was born in Hamburg, Germany, on the 23rd of February, 1821. When a boy he learned the cabinet-maker's trade, which he followed for several years in the old country. In 1847 he determined to cast his lot in the New World, and emigrated to America. After wandering over the country for about a year, he at last decided to make his permanent home in Muscatine County, and in 1848 began business as a cabinet-maker in the city of Muscatine, continuing in this line for about six years. Selling out at the expiration of that time, he then removed to the farm in Sweetland Township, comprising 160 acres which still continues to be his home. He is now engaged principally in farming and stock-raising, in which he is very successful. He has recently added 120 acres to his original purchase, and now owns 280 acres of good land, with a handsome dwelling and commodious barn.

On the 2nd of December, 1848, in the city of Muscatine, Mr. Brandt and Mrs. Ernestina Zeigler were united in marriage. This lady was born in Tioga County, Pa., Jan. 18, 1821, and is a daughter of Michael and Catherine Blake. When six years of age she removed with her parents to Economy, Beaver Co., Pa., remaining there ten years, when the family went to Phillipsburg, in the same county. She resided there for six years , and then united in marriage with Francis Zeigler, the ceremony performed Feb. 23, 1840. By their union three children were born: Barnhardt, born April 16, 1841, died when four years of age, in Shelby County, Mo.; William, born Sept. 1, 1843, was united in marraige, Aug 22, 1886, at the residence of W. Jennings Demerest, in New York City, with Mrs. E. M. Gamble, the ceremony being performed by the Rev. DR. Charles Deems, now resides in Brooklyn, N.Y. His has been a remarkable life. In 1861he started out for himself, and secured employment with James Weed, for whom he peddled apples out of a basket on the streets of his native city. He continued this work until the fall of 1861, when he began learning the drug business with J. H. Canon, remaining with him until the fall of 1863. Young Zeigler then went to Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and entered the commercial college at that place, from which afterward he was graduated. He determined to go to New York, and after paying his tuition at college and his railroad fare to that city he had but fifty cents remaining. Stopping at a hotel he there spent the night, and the following morning started out to find employment. After many futile attempts he secured work, but it was in a very undesirable place. On leaving the hotel he forgot to note the name or the number, and in the evening when he went to return could not find it. He had left his baggage, and was in a sorry predicament, but about two weeks later when going down town on business he accidently came across the hotel, went upstairs, paid his bill and got his baggage. In this humble way began the life of a man whose income is now $100,000 annually. After a few weeks he found employment which was better suited to his taste, and his fidelity and faithfulness caused his promotion. He at length began the manufacture of baking powder, commencing in a small way in a basement in New York City, making and putting up his powder in packages at night, and peddling it out from house to house the next day. He continued in this way until he was able to buy a horse and rig. From this small beginning the business grew to large proportions, and in 1873 he was one of the founders and incorporators of the Royal Baking Company, of which he is still a member. About eight years ago the company added to their business the manufacture of cream of tartar, and now do a large business in this line. Mr. Zeigler is also largely interested in real estate in Brooklyn, N.Y. Frances C., the third child of Francis and Ernestina Zeigler, was born Nov. 24, 1845 in Shelby County, Mo., and is now the wife of Henry K. Shields, of Belle Plain, Benton Co., Iowa, a farmer and stock-raiser, who there owns 160 acres of land.

By the union of Mr. and Mrs. Brandt were born five children : Emma C. was born Oct. 9, 1850, in Muscatine County; George W., born June 27, 1852, wedded Miss Annie, daughter of William and Catherine Huttig, and is now residing in Brooklyn, N.Y. Although a young man his life has been one of industry, and his labors have been very successful. He is one of the firm of Brandt & Kienzler, Importers and Manufacturers, No. 160 Franklin street, N.Y. Edward C., the next child, was born Jan. 9, 1855, and resides at home; Clara Louise, born July 20, 1857, is a teacher of dramatic art in the Young Ladies' Institute at St. Joseph, Mo., where she is very popular; Arthur C., the youngest child, born Oct 29, 1865, is yet living with his parents.

When Mr. Brandt came to America he was in very limited circumstances, but possessing a good constitution he set himself to work with a strong determination to succeed, and by perserverance and energy has secured a comfortable competence, such as will enable him to pass his declining years in peace and quiet. During his forty years residence in Muscatine County, his upright course of life and genial manner have won him the confidence and love of many friends, and throughout the community he is held in the highest respect by all.

That the portraits of this worthy couple, shown upon another page, deserve a place in this record of the best men and women in Muscatine County will be admitted by everyone.


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