The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-11-17

Mr.. Brand was born in Marion Couu.
ty 40 years ago, and is the son of the
late Thomas Brand who was a life.
long resident OF our little mountain
state. Wilbur Brand, as he is 80
Familiarity known to all our people,
was born in the little village OF Win.
field, in Winfield District. His fatn.
er served in the Civil War in Com.
pany B. Fourth West Virginia Cavalry,
and served In the valley OF Virginia
under Custer and Sheridan. Is need.
less to say that Thomas Brands SCI.
vice was OF a most active character,
and after his honorable discharge at
the close Of the war he took up his
residence in Winfield District. and
was later appointed postmaster CT
the village OF Winfield. Marion Coun.
ty. which Office he held until the time
OF his death. He was ably assisted
while he lived, as postmaster at Win.
field. by his son Wilbur" Brand. and
When his father died Wilbur" was
appointed to succeed him, being the
Youngest postmaster In the United
States at that time. In short time
he retired from the Office and was &C.
lively identified with the Sons OF the
G. A. R. Veterans. and for three years
served as Colonel Of tile West Virginia
Division, Sons OF Veterans. In 1895
Mr.. Brand served as Secretary OF the
Republican County Committee, and In
1897 was elected vice president OF the
Republican clubs OF the Republican
league Of West Virginia, and held a
committee clerkship in the House Of
Delegates In the year 1897.
Mr.. Brand married daughter Of
the late Jacob Hill, a we'll known and
highly respected resident Of our coun.
ty. who was also Union soldier. On
May l, 1898, Mr.. Brand was appointed
clerk In the Fairmont city postofiice
and later In the year 1900 the position
Of assistant postmaster was created,
and Mr.. Brand was appointed to fill
the position which he has filled up to
this time in q most highly satisfactory
manner to the patrons Of the Office AMI
the postofiice department. n
Mr.. Brand has long been recognized
as one OF the best Informed, if'not tho
best informed, postoffice official In
West Virginia, and has been many.
times called into conference By the
government authorities on questions
affecting the postal service. y
On three different occasions Mr..
Brand has been rendered the position
OF United States postofIlce inspector.
and each time he has refused the APP
pointment. prcferrins to retain his
residence here in the home OF his
nativity among the people he has
known all his life.
Several years ago Mr.. Brand was
solicited by Carter D. Keene. the chief
postofficef inspector. to take the posi-.
ton Of spostof1ic Inspector; Mr. Keene
being a Democrat under the 3Republi.
can administration sot President STaft.
Mr.. Keene, although a Democrat, rec.
ognIzed the great ability OF Mr. Brand,
In the line OF his Iwork. and urged him.
to accept the position OF Inspector,
but Mr.. Brand preferred to remain
here among his home people. which
he has done TO this time, and has, IA
a very large measure, contributed to
the great growth OF the E irmont city
Ipostoffice& In the last seventeen years,
during which time the Fairmont post.
Office has Increased from q force ufi
three employees. Including the post.
master. to force Of fifty;one people.