BIO: Joseph A. BRANDT, Huntingdon County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JO Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ********************************************************** __________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers. Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, page 374. __________________________________________________________________ JOSEPH A. BRANDT, Thisbe, Huntingdon county, Pa., was born October 19, 1859, in Franklin county, Pa. His parents are Daniel and Maria (Kilgore) Brandt, natives of Franklin county, where they lived until 1868. Mr. Daniel Brandt was a blacksmith, and worked at that trade until the age of forty-one, when he exchanged the forge for the plow, and continued farming until he retired from business in 1890. He was several times chosen for township offices; was elected school director for three years, re-elected, served one year more; was secretary of the school board; treasurer of the school board of Shirley township, for two years; supervisor for one year, and assessor for three years. Mrs. Daniel Brandt was the daughter of Joseph Kilgore. The children of Mr. and Mrs. D. Brandt are: Emma, wife of Amos McCurdy; Elizabeth, wife of John Piles; Susan, wife of John Wasson; Asenath, wife of Charles Reed; Joseph A.; Annie; Mary, wife of John Crouse; Daniel; and William, who was killed by lightning in his own house in Kansas City. Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Brandt reside in Shirleysburg, Huntingdon county. They have their membership in the Presbyterian church. Mr. J. A. Brandt was educated in the common schools of Huntingdon county, whither his parents removed when he was nine years old. His school education finished, he worked with his father until he was twenty-two. In 1882 he went to Illinois, to try work on a western farm, but came back in 1883. He was then for about six years a contractor. For a time he took up the business of butchering; but in 1889, in the spring, he recommenced farming, and has ever since made that his occupation. Like his father, he has been a serviceable citizen to the township; he was elected school director, and served for three years; after one year's service, was appointed secretary of the school board, and served as such for two years; in 1895, was elected treasurer of Shirley township, served one year, was re-elected in 1896, and still holds the office. He is a Democrat. Joseph A. Brandt was married, January 8, 1885, to Rebecca, daughter of John and Mary (Latherow) McAllister. Their children are: Maria; William F.; and Daniel D. Mr. Brandt is a member of the Methodist church. The McAllisters, the parents of Mrs. Brandt, were both born in Huntingdon county. Mr. McAllister's early business was coal-burning, but for the last twenty-five years of his life he was a farmer. His wife Mary is the daughter of Jackson Latherow. Their living children are: James; Susan (Mrs. William Mills); Robert; Rebecca (Mrs. J. A. Brandt); Mary and John, twins; and Maggie (Mrs. Isaac Gifford). Mr. McAllister died June 18, 1889, at the age of seventy-two. His widow, now aged about seventy, resides in Shirleysburg, in good health. She is a member of the Methodist church.