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

Mr.. Brand was born In Marion Couu.
" 4S 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 40
familiarly known TO all our people,
was born in the little village OF VIA.
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 ser.
vice was Of 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 tine
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 the West Virginia
Division, Sons Of Veterans. In 1896
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 81
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 a Union soldier. On
May ]. 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 filed up to
this time in a most highly satisfactory
manner to the patrons Of the Office and
the postoffice department.
Mr.. Brand has long been recognized
as one OF the best Informed 1if not the
best informed, postofllce official IN
West Virginia, and has been many
times called into conference BY the
government authorities on questions
affecting the postal service. fs Z
On three different occasions Mr..
Brand has been rendered the position
OF United States postoiIi ce inspector.
and each time he has refused the ap:
poIntment, prcferrins to retain his
residence here in the home Of his
nativity among the people he has
known all his life. ~ /;
b Several years ago Mr.. Brand was
solicited by Carter D. Keene. the chief
postofiice inspector. to take the posi-:
tion OF ipostoiIice Inspector; Mr.. Keene
being a Democrat under the Republl.
can administration OF President Taft.
Mr.. Keene, although a Democrat, rec.
,ognized the great ability OF Mr. Brand
iaSthe line of his work, 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. u
q very large measure, contributed TO
the great growth of the Fairmont city
Ipostofice In the last seventeen years,
during which time the Fairmont post:
Office has Increased from fierce of
three employees, Including the post
master, 70 force OF tifty-one people.