Biographical History (1899), pp. 974-76 Eli Brand Eli Brand is numbered among the native sons of Tippecanoe county, where his parents located in pioneer days, and since that early epoch in the settlement of this section of the state the name of Brand has figured conspicuously on the pages of its history in connection with the agricultural development of the region. The founders of the family in America were among the early Pennsylvania-Dutch people, and resided in Lancaster county of the Keystone state. Samuel Brand, the father of our subject, was born in Maryland, in 1802, and was a farmer by occupation. He emigrated to Ohio in pioneer days, and in Butler county, in connection with agricultural pursuits, he conducted a distillery. He married Miss Lydia Vance, a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of John Vance. Ere they left Ohio they became the parents of a daughter, Elizabeth, and after their removal to Tippecanoe county the following children were born to them: Washington, Mary, Michael, Samuel, Eli, John and Lydia. About the year 1835 Mr. Brand removed to the Hoosier state, locating in Sheffield township, Tippecanoe county, where he purchased of a Mr. Storm a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of land, two miles east of the farm upon which our subject now resides. It was covered with timber, but with characteristic energy he began clearing away trees, and in course of time well tilled fields yielded to him good harvests. He made a good home and spent there the remainder of his active business career. After the death of his first wife he was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Burkhalter, a widow. He then put aside business cares and removed to Dayton. He died at the home of his son Samuel, in Perry township, Tippecanoe county, when seventy years of age. He and his first wife were members of the German Reformed church, and in politics he was a Republican. In his business affairs he prospered, and at different times owned considerable land. He gave to each of his children three thousand dollars, thus enabling them to get a good start in life. In all his dealings he was straightforward and honorable, and was a highly respected citizen and honored pioneer. Eli Brand, whose name introduces this review, was born on the old family homestead in Sheffield township, Tippecanoe county, where his brother John now lives, September 11, 1839, and in his youth pursued his education in the log school-house of the neighborhood. His privileges were limited to three months’ attendance during the winter season, for through the remainder of the year his services were needed in the cultivation of the home farm. He was thus employed until twenty-one years of age. He married, February 11, 1877, in Madison township, Clinton county, Indiana, Miss Delphena Buck, who was born in Clinton county, March 23, 1854, a daughter of Daniel and Barbara (Gunkle) Buck. Her father was born in 1809 and was a son of Daniel Buck, Sr., who in early life resided in Pennsylvania, whence he removed to Butler county, Ohio, in the pioneer days of that locality. There he owned a good farm of one hundred and sixty acres, upon which he and his wife spent their remaining days. They were members of the Lutheran church, and were parents of the following children: Joseph, Adam, John, Lamie, Daniel, Betsey and Mary. Daniel Buck, the father of Mrs. Brand, learned the millwright’s trade, and in early manhood was married, in Butler county, Ohio, to Barbara Gunkle. They began their domestic life in Butler county, where two of their children were born. In 1836 they removed to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, locating in Washington township, where Mr. Buck purchased a sawmill and five acres of land. He operated the mill for some years and then purchased eighty acres of land in Madison township, Clinton county, of which tract about five acres had been cleared. He at once began the arduous task of preparing the remainder for cultivation; the work was eventually accomplished and he made a good home, which continued to be his place of abode until called to the home beyond, June 14, 1879. In addition, he owned one hundred and ninety-four acres in Washington township, becoming one of the substantial farmers of the community, by reason of his diligence, perseverance and straightforward dealings. In politics he was a Democrat, and in religious faith both he and his wife were Lutherans. They had nine children, namely: Isaac, Catharine, Lydia, Jacob, Elizabeth, Tina, Mary, Abraham and Delphena, the last named being now Mrs. Brand. At the time of his marriage Mr. Brand took up his residence upon his present farm, in addition to which he owned one hundred and sixty-four acres in Perry township, Tippecanoe County. As the result of his sturdy thrift and industry, and the assistance of his wife, he has prospered and has added to the original homestead until it now comprises two hundred and fifty-four acres. He has erected thereon a substantial brick residence, two stores in height, finished throughout in hardwood, and built after the most approved style of modern architecture. He has also made other excellent improvements upon his farm, which is now one of the best in the county. The children born in this home are Barbara A., who was born April 13, 1878, and died at the age of two years; Nina A., born February 20, 1881; Arlinda B., who was born June 11, 1883, and died when about two years of age; Oron G., born February 25, 1885, and Porter R., born March 11, 1888. The mother of these children is a member of the Lutheran church, and is a most estimable lady. During the greater part of his life Mr. Brand has carried on agricultural pursuits, and he is accounted one of the leading and most enterprising farmers of Tippecanoe county. He was also a member of the Dayton Milling Company from 1870 until 1873, and in that connection carried on an extensive business, manufacturing flour and all kinds of mill products. Throughout the community, in which he has resided from infancy up to the present time, he is widely and favorably known. His record in trade circles is above question, and no man doubts his word. His life has been an active and busy one, in which good management and untiring industry have brought him success, and now he is numbered among the prosperous pioneer farmers of the locality. _________________________________________________________________ STOP MORE SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail