Champaign County History:
WILLIAM A BRAND (deceased)
William A Brand was born in Union Township, Champaign Co, Ohio, July 9, 1837, and died in Urbana May 14, 1879; he was a son of Joseph C Brand, the present Mayor of Urbana; at an early age he removed with his parents to Urbana, where he continued his residence to the time of his death; he was educated at the public schools and the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware; he studied law with Hon John H James, and graduated from the Cincinnati Law School in 1858; soon after he formed a partnership with the late Hon Moses B Corwin, which continued until the latter retired from practice on account of advanced age. He was married, July 12, 1859, to Miss Frances R Saxton, daughter of Joshua Saxton, the founder of the Citizen and Gazette, of Urbana, who still survives him; he continued in the practice of his profession until September, 1861, when he enlisted in the 66th OVI, and, in January, 1862, accompanied his regiment to the field, and served in every campaign with his regiment until the close of the war, resigning his commission as Regimental Quartermaster only after the declaration of peace, and, while the army was at Washington awaiting orders for muster out; his record as a soldier and officer is unblemished, and it was for many years a gratification, as well as a source of pride to him, that he had done what he could to sustain his imperiled Government; during the war, he was a regular correspondent of a home paper over the nom de plume of "DN Arbaw," giving truthful and graphic descriptions of the most important campaigns and battles of the war, which attracted much attention, and were much copied in the press of that time; the experience then derived, in a great measure prepared him for his labors in making up a history of some of the more prominent campaigns, only a portion of which had been published when death laid its hand upon him; in 1865, he purchased a half-interest in the Citizen and Gazette, continuing his connection therewith until February, 1879; in this connection he soon made his mark, being a forcible and sagacious writer, carrying conviction with his arguments, and doing much for the improvement of the city and county, as well as rendering valuable services to his party; being a Republican by conviction, and feeling that through that party only could be preserved the results of the severe struggles of our armies from 1861 to 1865, he put his whole soul into his political work, though never descending to abuse or personalities; he devoted himself assiduously to his business, and saw it develop day by day, with new improvements constantly added, and finally had the satisfaction of seeing issued from his presses work of the highest grade and finish, and the reputation of his job department extended throughout the State. Hoping, by a change of business, to restore his failing health, he accepted, in January, 1878, the position of Postmaster of Urbana, the first civil office he ever sought or held, he having, though often solicited to become a candidate for office, always expressed a dislike for the duties of a public servant, except as they were self-imposed, feeling that his duties as an editor were higher and more imperative than could be imposed by any other call. He was an active member of a number of the secret orders, taking high rank in all; in the Improved Order of Red Men he held the position of Past Sachem, Great Senior Sagamore and Great Sachem, the highest position in the State, and for several years was State Representative in the Great Council of the United States; he had passed all the chairs in the Subordinate Lodge and Encampment of Odd Fellows, and had represented his district in the Grand Lodge of Ohio; he was a Past Commander in the Knights of Pythias and Past Master in the UOAM; his ability was especially displayed in connection with these orders, in all of which he was a recognized leader. As a man, he was chivalrous, generous, charitable and high-minded; a friend to the poor and oppressed, he never denied an application for charity, preferring to give sometimes to the unworthy, lest, perchance, he might miss an occasion for relieving actual want.
WILLIAM A BRAND (deceased)
William A Brand was born in Union Township, Champaign Co, Ohio, July 9, 1837, and died in Urbana May 14, 1879; he was a son of Joseph C Brand, the present Mayor of Urbana; at an early age he removed with his parents to Urbana, where he continued his residence to the time of his death; he was educated at the public schools and the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware; he studied law with Hon John H James, and graduated from the Cincinnati Law School in 1858; soon after he formed a partnership with the late Hon Moses B Corwin, which continued until the latter retired from practice on account of advanced age. He was married, July 12, 1859, to Miss Frances R Saxton, daughter of Joshua Saxton, the founder of the Citizen and Gazette, of Urbana, who still survives him; he continued in the practice of his profession until September, 1861, when he enlisted in the 66th OVI, and, in January, 1862, accompanied his regiment to the field, and served in every campaign with his regiment until the close of the war, resigning his commission as Regimental Quartermaster only after the declaration of peace, and, while the army was at Washington awaiting orders for muster out; his record as a soldier and officer is unblemished, and it was for many years a gratification, as well as a source of pride to him, that he had done what he could to sustain his imperiled Government; during the war, he was a regular correspondent of a home paper over the nom de plume of "DN Arbaw," giving truthful and graphic descriptions of the most important campaigns and battles of the war, which attracted much attention, and were much copied in the press of that time; the experience then derived, in a great measure prepared him for his labors in making up a history of some of the more prominent campaigns, only a portion of which had been published when death laid its hand upon him; in 1865, he purchased a half-interest in the Citizen and Gazette, continuing his connection therewith until February, 1879; in this connection he soon made his mark, being a forcible and sagacious writer, carrying conviction with his arguments, and doing much for the improvement of the city and county, as well as rendering valuable services to his party; being a Republican by conviction, and feeling that through that party only could be preserved the results of the severe struggles of our armies from 1861 to 1865, he put his whole soul into his political work, though never descending to abuse or personalities; he devoted himself assiduously to his business, and saw it develop day by day, with new improvements constantly added, and finally had the satisfaction of seeing issued from his presses work of the highest grade and finish, and the reputation of his job department extended throughout the State. Hoping, by a change of business, to restore his failing health, he accepted, in January, 1878, the position of Postmaster of Urbana, the first civil office he ever sought or held, he having, though often solicited to become a candidate for office, always expressed a dislike for the duties of a public servant, except as they were self-imposed, feeling that his duties as an editor were higher and more imperative than could be imposed by any other call. He was an active member of a number of the secret orders, taking high rank in all; in the Improved Order of Red Men he held the position of Past Sachem, Great Senior Sagamore and Great Sachem, the highest position in the State, and for several years was State Representative in the Great Council of the United States; he had passed all the chairs in the Subordinate Lodge and Encampment of Odd Fellows, and had represented his district in the Grand Lodge of Ohio; he was a Past Commander in the Knights of Pythias and Past Master in the UOAM; his ability was especially displayed in connection with these orders, in all of which he was a recognized leader. As a man, he was chivalrous, generous, charitable and high-minded; a friend to the poor and oppressed, he never denied an application for charity, preferring to give sometimes to the unworthy, lest, perchance, he might miss an occasion for relieving actual want.
Champaign County History:
WILLIAM A BRAND (deceased)
William A Brand was born in Union Township, Champaign Co, Ohio, July 9, 1837, and died in Urbana May 14, 1879; he was a son of Joseph C Brand, the present Mayor of Urbana; at an early age he removed with his parents to Urbana, where he continued his residence to the time of his death; he was educated at the public schools and the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware; he studied law with Hon John H James, and graduated from the Cincinnati Law School in 1858; soon after he formed a partnership with the late Hon Moses B Corwin, which continued until the latter retired from practice on account of advanced age. He was married, July 12, 1859, to Miss Frances R Saxton, daughter of Joshua Saxton, the founder of the Citizen and Gazette, of Urbana, who still survives him; he continued in the practice of his profession until September, 1861, when he enlisted in the 66th OVI, and, in January, 1862, accompanied his regiment to the field, and served in every campaign with his regiment until the close of the war, resigning his commission as Regimental Quartermaster only after the declaration of peace, and, while the army was at Washington awaiting orders for muster out; his record as a soldier and officer is unblemished, and it was for many years a gratification, as well as a source of pride to him, that he had done what he could to sustain his imperiled Government; during the war, he was a regular correspondent of a home paper over the nom de plume of "DN Arbaw," giving truthful and graphic descriptions of the most important campaigns and battles of the war, which attracted much attention, and were much copied in the press of that time; the experience then derived, in a great measure prepared him for his labors in making up a history of some of the more prominent campaigns, only a portion of which had been published when death laid its hand upon him; in 1865, he purchased a half-interest in the Citizen and Gazette, continuing his connection therewith until February, 1879; in this connection he soon made his mark, being a forcible and sagacious writer, carrying conviction with his arguments, and doing much for the improvement of the city and county, as well as rendering valuable services to his party; being a Republican by conviction, and feeling that through that party only could be preserved the results of the severe struggles of our armies from 1861 to 1865, he put his whole soul into his political work, though never descending to abuse or personalities; he devoted himself assiduously to his business, and saw it develop day by day, with new improvements constantly added, and finally had the satisfaction of seeing issued from his presses work of the highest grade and finish, and the reputation of his job department extended throughout the State. Hoping, by a change of business, to restore his failing health, he accepted, in January, 1878, the position of Postmaster of Urbana, the first civil office he ever sought or held, he having, though often solicited to become a candidate for office, always expressed a dislike for the duties of a public servant, except as they were self-imposed, feeling that his duties as an editor were higher and more imperative than could be imposed by any other call. He was an active member of a number of the secret orders, taking high rank in all; in the Improved Order of Red Men he held the position of Past Sachem, Great Senior Sagamore and Great Sachem, the highest position in the State, and for several years was State Representative in the Great Council of the United States; he had passed all the chairs in the Subordinate Lodge and Encampment of Odd Fellows, and had represented his district in the Grand Lodge of Ohio; he was a Past Commander in the Knights of Pythias and Past Master in the UOAM; his ability was especially displayed in connection with these orders, in all of which he was a recognized leader. As a man, he was chivalrous, generous, charitable and high-minded; a friend to the poor and oppressed, he never denied an application for charity, preferring to give sometimes to the unworthy, lest, perchance, he might miss an occasion for relieving actual want.
WILLIAM A BRAND (deceased)
William A Brand was born in Union Township, Champaign Co, Ohio, July 9, 1837, and died in Urbana May 14, 1879; he was a son of Joseph C Brand, the present Mayor of Urbana; at an early age he removed with his parents to Urbana, where he continued his residence to the time of his death; he was educated at the public schools and the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware; he studied law with Hon John H James, and graduated from the Cincinnati Law School in 1858; soon after he formed a partnership with the late Hon Moses B Corwin, which continued until the latter retired from practice on account of advanced age. He was married, July 12, 1859, to Miss Frances R Saxton, daughter of Joshua Saxton, the founder of the Citizen and Gazette, of Urbana, who still survives him; he continued in the practice of his profession until September, 1861, when he enlisted in the 66th OVI, and, in January, 1862, accompanied his regiment to the field, and served in every campaign with his regiment until the close of the war, resigning his commission as Regimental Quartermaster only after the declaration of peace, and, while the army was at Washington awaiting orders for muster out; his record as a soldier and officer is unblemished, and it was for many years a gratification, as well as a source of pride to him, that he had done what he could to sustain his imperiled Government; during the war, he was a regular correspondent of a home paper over the nom de plume of "DN Arbaw," giving truthful and graphic descriptions of the most important campaigns and battles of the war, which attracted much attention, and were much copied in the press of that time; the experience then derived, in a great measure prepared him for his labors in making up a history of some of the more prominent campaigns, only a portion of which had been published when death laid its hand upon him; in 1865, he purchased a half-interest in the Citizen and Gazette, continuing his connection therewith until February, 1879; in this connection he soon made his mark, being a forcible and sagacious writer, carrying conviction with his arguments, and doing much for the improvement of the city and county, as well as rendering valuable services to his party; being a Republican by conviction, and feeling that through that party only could be preserved the results of the severe struggles of our armies from 1861 to 1865, he put his whole soul into his political work, though never descending to abuse or personalities; he devoted himself assiduously to his business, and saw it develop day by day, with new improvements constantly added, and finally had the satisfaction of seeing issued from his presses work of the highest grade and finish, and the reputation of his job department extended throughout the State. Hoping, by a change of business, to restore his failing health, he accepted, in January, 1878, the position of Postmaster of Urbana, the first civil office he ever sought or held, he having, though often solicited to become a candidate for office, always expressed a dislike for the duties of a public servant, except as they were self-imposed, feeling that his duties as an editor were higher and more imperative than could be imposed by any other call. He was an active member of a number of the secret orders, taking high rank in all; in the Improved Order of Red Men he held the position of Past Sachem, Great Senior Sagamore and Great Sachem, the highest position in the State, and for several years was State Representative in the Great Council of the United States; he had passed all the chairs in the Subordinate Lodge and Encampment of Odd Fellows, and had represented his district in the Grand Lodge of Ohio; he was a Past Commander in the Knights of Pythias and Past Master in the UOAM; his ability was especially displayed in connection with these orders, in all of which he was a recognized leader. As a man, he was chivalrous, generous, charitable and high-minded; a friend to the poor and oppressed, he never denied an application for charity, preferring to give sometimes to the unworthy, lest, perchance, he might miss an occasion for relieving actual want.
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