E. D. Rand

As printed in 1888

ELBRIDGE D. RAND, deceased, an honored pioneer of Burlington, Iowa, of 1839, and the most prominent business man of this region, was a native of Massachusetts, born in Watertown of that State, July 22, 1814. and was the eldest son of Samuel and Mary (Carter) Rand. By the death of his father in his childhood, he was thrown upon his own resources at a tender age, and worked out until he had attained the age of fifteen years, getting such education as was possible in the district schools, and doing chores nights and morning for his board. He then went to Providence, R. I., where he served an apprenticeship to the candle and soap business, and continued at that employment until 1835, when he went to Hamilton, Ohio, in the employ of J. & N. Fisher, as superintendent of their packing-house at that place. After spending two years at Hamilton, he started for Lacon, In., with the intention of engaging in the pork-packing business with the brother of his former employers. AVhile enroute, Mr. Rand learned that the people of Lacou were afflicted with fever anft ague, and therefore changed his plans, going to Quincy, In., instead, where he engaged in farming, stock-raising and pork-packing. While in the city, he had the misfortune to lose heavily by a government contract and by fire. He closed up his business at Quincy, paying a hundred cents on the dollar, but had nothing left. He then came to Iowa in the spring of 1839, and located on the Des Moines River, on what was known as the " Black Hawk purchase," and near the present town of Keosauqna. He made a claim, which he improved and got forty acres in crops, but did not remain to harvest it, as he became dissatisfied with his surroundings and.sold out. It was now midsummer, and he determined to accept Mr. Fisher's former offer of starting in business at Lacon, Ill. " Man proposes and (jed disposes," and fate had an entirely different programme marked out for him, as the sequel will show. He had started eastward with a team, intending to cross the Mississippi at Burlington. It happened that in shoeing his horses before starting, the blacksmitii had priced a foot of one of them, which caused him to go lame, and the injury became so serious that when he had reached the old cemetery on the hill, near the [present site of Burlington College, the animal gave out, and a forced halt was called. There the weary traveler camped under his wagon, little dreaming that spread out before him lay the field of his future operations; that wealth and honors, a happy and luxurious home with wife and children about him, were palpable realities, only closely veiled by the hand of time. On the following day, the village blacksmith removed the cause of the horse's lameness,' but was certain that several weeks at least, must elapse befc>re the traveler could proceed on his journey. Being destitute of means, Mr. Rand was obliged to turn his horses out and seek emiiloyuienl. He seemed a place with Bridgeinaii & Partridge, who had but just started in the pork-packing business. The packing-house was made li.y remodeling an old blacksmith shop, which stood on the site afterward occupied by the Union Hall. During a lull in the packing business the following winter, Mr. Rand purchased a horse and dray, wliicli he hired a man to drive, assisting in the work himself as business permitted.

In the w.ay above stated Mr. Rand commenced his business life in Bnrlington, clearing about $200, with which he purchased a house and lot opposite Union Hall. He continued his connection with Bridgeman & Partridge until 1843, when he formed a partnership with Peasley & Brooks in the provision, lumber and pork-packing business, which was continued for a period of three 3'ears. He had purchased a tract of fifteen acres in the meantime (the site of the p.asking-houses and residence), for which he paid the sum of.50 per acre. The investment was considered at the time, by some of the sagacious ones, to have been very foolish, but as time went on it was conceded to have been a verjgood speculation. The land is now very valuable. His connection with the firm of Peasley & Brooks was terminated t)n account of heavy losses sustained through large investments in grain, made by the advice of the senior partner. Once more Mr. Rand saw his accumulated capital swept away, his only remaining property being the land previously mentioned. Nothing daunted, he borrowed money, erected a cheap packing-house of his own, which was constructed of slabs, and again engaged in pork-packing. That year his profits amounted to $7,000, and the following year he erected a brick packing-house, conducting the business on a more extensive scale. He had also engaged in the lumber business in a small way in 1842. This business he gradually increased, and in 18.50 abandoned porkpacking, concentrating his capital in the lumber trade. He had formed a partnership with Ur. William B. Chamberlain in this line at an early day, and later bought out the Doctor's interest.

In 1838, on the banks of the INIisslssippi River at Lower Town, Burlington, a sawmill was built by James McKell, which, after numerous changes of ownership, became the prciperty of W. S. Berry and Dr. Hill, about the time he closed out the pork-packing business. Mr. Rand purchased Dr. Hill's interest, and out of that investment grew the Burlington Lumber Company, one of the heaviest lumber firms on the middle Mississippi. In 1852 Mr. Rand formed an alliance with Messrs Carson & Eaton in this line, under the firm name of Carson, Eaton & Rand, in Wisconsin, and E. D. Rand & Co., Burlington, Iowa. Mr. Carson resided in Wisconsin, where the company's mills were located, and where he and Mr. Rand were largely interested in pine lands. Messrs. Rand & Carson subsequently bought out Mr. Eaton's interest, the firm name becoming Carson & Rand, and continued the business. Mr. Rand helped to organize the Yalley Lumber Company of Wisconsin, in which he held a large interest. The concern is still flourishing. In January, 1877. Mr. Rand organized the Burlington Lumber Company, of which he was elected President, a position now held by his son, Horace.S. In 1879 he organized the Rand Lnml)er Company, of which he was the first President. His son-in-law, John M. Sherfey, has succeeded to the position. This is one of the leading lumber firms in the State, and has branch j'ards at Bedford. Villisca, Corning, Afton and Mediapolis. Iowa. During Mr. Rand's lifetime, the company handled upward of 20,000,000 feet of lumber annually, besides immense quantities of lath, shingles, etc. Their employes numbered 100 men, while their yards covered sixty-four lots. The Burlington Lumber Company, of which Mr. Rand was President at the same time, was handling about 22,000,000 feet of lumber, 18.000.000 of which was manufactured at the mill in Burlington. But the largest of all the lumber corporations with which Mr. Rand was identified is the Carson <fe Rand Lum- Iier Company of Keokuk, Iowa, which was organized in 1881, and of which he was President, his oldest son, George D., now being the President. More recently the Keilhsburg Lumber Company was organized, and Mr. Rand was also President of it at the time of his death, and his son, E. D. Rand, Jr., now holds that ()position.

In addition to the above mentioned important enterprises of which Mr. Rand was the originator and controlling mind, he was prominently identified

A with a variety of other institutions of more or less niagnitufle. He became associated with the State Bank in 1862, when it was a branch of the Iowa State Bank, and on its organization into a National Bank, in 1865, he was elected a member of its first Board of Directors, which position he retained during the remainder of his life. He was elected President of the bank in 1869, and served two years, when he retired, and was succeeded by Mr. Peasley, whom he in turn succeeded in 1881, serving until 1883. He was also one of the incorporators of the Iowa State Savings Bank, of which he was a Director and Vice Prrsident until his death. The history of the First National Bank shows th.it he was also identified with lliat institution, and served as a member of its Board of Directors.

When the Narrow Guage Railroad was built, lie contributed largely to its si)port and also took an active part in the building of the Burlington & Missouri Railroad. He aided materially in the improvement of the city, both in a private and public way. He caused to be erected some of the finest business blocks in the city, besides numerous residences, including his own beautiful niaiisi(jn, known as the "Pines," where his wife and younger children still reside, and which he embellished to his fancy. He established a nursery at his home, and was warmly interested in the propagation of fruit and ornamental trees. The effect of his care and management is still shown in the beautiful grounds surrounding his old home. In 1852 he purchased a valuable tract of land comprising about fifty-five acres, lying adjacent to his former purchase, which he laid out into lots and blocks, and which constitutes an important addition to Burlington, as on it are located numerous extensive manufacturing establishments.

In early life Mr. Rand was an ardent Whig, and on the organization of the Republican party, he joined its ranks and supported its policy for many years, but later in life he shook off party ties, and was known as a " Liberal Republican." He was never ambitious in a political sense and preferred to devote his attention to his important business interests, rather than accept public office. He was chosen a member of the Iowa Legislature in 1856, and served under the administration of his old friend, Gov. Grimes. He also served several years in the City Council in 1856-57, and 1860-62-63; since which time he held no public official position.

Mr. Rand united with the Congregational Society of Burlington in 1844, and always contributed liberally to its support, as well as remembering generously the claims of other Societies. His was a practical, open-handed Christianity, that enlisted his sympathies in every good cause, and left people better and happier for their connection with him. He was twice married; first to Miss Sarah A. Proud, of C'centerville. Ohio, in April, 1837. Six children were born to them, of whom only two are living, a daughter and son: ]\Laiy A., wife of John M. Sherfey. President of the Rand Lumber Company, of Burlington, Iowa; and George D., who married Miss Sarah McGauhey, and resides at Keokuk, Iowa — he has been Mayor of that cit several terms, and is President of the Carson & Rand Lumber Corapany. Mrs. Rand died at Burlington, in June, 1850. Mr. Rand was married.again, June 13, 1852, at Burlington, to Mrs. Caroline A. Roberts, widow of J. W. Roberts, and daughter of S. Sherfey, Esq., a pioneer of Burlington of 1837. Mrs. Rand was born in Il.agerstown, Md. Four children were born of their union, three sons and a daughter: Elbridge 1) born at Burlington. Aug. 11, 1853, now Vice President of the Rand Lumber Company; Charles W., who was born at Burlington. Feb. 12, 1855. and is junior partner of the firm of Wyinan & Rand, wholesale dealers in carpets and furniture, and President of the Northwestern Furniture Company, married Miss Lilian C. Higgins. daughter (jf Ilirani Higgins, Esq., of Chicago; Horace S.. born M.ay 11, 1861, at Burlington, is President of the Burlington Lumber Company\ and married Miss Ruth Gear, daughter of Gov. Gear; Carrie, the only daughter, was born at Burlington, March 17, 1807, and resides with her mother at the "Pines."

Mr. Rand's death occurred at his home in Bur- Kngtoii, April 10, 1887, after a short illness, and in the seventy-third year of his age. His death marked a sad event in the history of the city that had so long been his home and his [bride, and to the prosperity and growth of which he had so liberally contributed. It may be truthfully said that he was no ninn's enemy, and that in all his long years of vaiierl and extensive business experience, he was never known to intentionally wrong anyone. Just and prompt, courteous and considerate, he possessed the confidence and kindly regard of all with whom he came in contact, from the humblest laborer in his yards to the highest official and wcaltliiest capitalist. He was essentially a self-made man, and while he was generally successful in his business ventures, and accumulated a large and valuable property, he met his reverses and saw many a dark day in the earlier years of his life. Naturally hopeful, energetic and methodical, of untiring industry and perseverance, he never knew what it was to give up. When failure overtook him in one line, he closed the chapter and struck out anew, shaping his course more carefully from the lessons of the past, until success, to a degree far bey'ond the expectations )f the average business man, crowned his efforts. In his manner, he was plain and unassuming, free from all ostentation or display, earnest in his devotion to his family and friends, sympathetic and warm-hearted. Many a poor man has reason to hold his memory in veneration for substaTitial favors in the hour of need.

The story of the life of such a man as Elbridge D. Rand is both interesting and instructive, and teaches a lesson that may well be studied by the young men of coming generations as well as the present, encouraging them to renewed effort when reverses overtake them, and pointing the way to success like a beacon star in the sky of the future. For the exceedingly fine poi'train of this good man, given at the commencement of this sketch, every patron of this work will be tiiankful.

As printed in Portrait and biographical album of Des Moines County, Iowa, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county .. (1888). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.