BIOGRAPHY: C. E. AURAND, Mifflin County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by P. S. Barr Copyright. All rights reserved. http://files.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://files.usgwarchives.net/pa/mifflin/ _______________________________________________ The Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley, Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata, and Perry, Pennsylvania. Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, Volume I, page 651. C. E. AURAND, Milroy, Mifflin county, Pa., was born near Lewisburg, Union county, Pa., September 16, 1862. He is a son of John and Sarah E. (Sechler) Aurand. His paternal grandparents were of German descent. His maternal grandfather was John Sechler, who had a family of twelve children, all of whom lived to an old age. John and Sarah Aurand had seven children: Four who died in childhood; Mary C. (Mrs. James Spiegelmeyer), has one child; James, married Lydia Spiegelmeyer, has four children; and C. E. When C. E. Aurand was six years old, his father died, and his mother removed to Hartleton, Union County. He attended the public schools of that town until he was seventeen, completing his education by studying three years at the State Normal School at Bloomsburg, Columbia county, Pa. In 1882, he removed to Nebraska, and was for a short time employed as clerk in a drug store at Plattsmouth. Returning to Pennsylvania, he became a clerk in the drug store of Dr. M. L. Mench, at Hartleton, Pa., where he remained until the autumn of 1883. He then opened a drug store at Spring Mills, Centre county, Pa. Close confinement, however, so impaired his constitution, that in the spring of 1884 he sold his store and removed to a farm in Smith county, Kan. Three years of healthful exercise in the pure life-giving air so far restored his health that he ventured to return to his native State, but, profiting by experience, he abandoned his profession, and began to deal in grain and lumber at Millmont, Mifflin county. Mr. Aurand was too ambitious to be content with a small business. In 1890 he removed to Milroy and engaged in manufacturing, also dealing in lumber. Since 1894, he has been a builder and contractor. His energy, experience and business tact have made him successful in various enterprises. Mr. Aurand belongs to the Republican party. He is also an active member of Lodge No. 213, I. O. O. F., at Milroy. C. E. Aurand was married, March 14, 1883, to Kate L., daughter of W. E. and Hannah M. (Halfpenny) Smith. Their children are: Jesse, deceased; Hannah M., deceased; Estella; Rae; William E.; and Nellie H. Mrs. Aurand died November 6, 1894, aged twenty-eight. She was an earnest Christian, and a devoted wife and mother, beloved and esteemed by all who knew her. Mr. Aurand and his family attend the Presbyterian church at Milroy.