George D. Rand

GEORGE DEXTER RAND.

The record of George Dexter Rand, now deceased, is one which reflected credit and honor upon the commercial history of Keokuk. He figured prominently in business circles as a lumberman and also in connection with financial affairs, and he was equally well known as a factor in public life, cooperating in all of those activities which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride. He was born in Quincy, Illinois, February 9, 1838, and was sixty-five years of age when death called him.

His father, Hon. Elbridge D. Rand, was a distinguished citizen of Burlington, Iowa, who owned and occupied a beautiful residence, known as The Pines. He ranked with the leading business men of the state and to that position attained by reason of ability, close application and determined effort. He was born in Watertown, Massachusetts, July 22, 1 814, the eldest son of Samuel and Mary (Carter) Rand. The father died during the infancy of his son Elbridge, who from early youth was dependent upon his own resources. He was still a young lad when he went to Providence, Rhode Island, where he served an apprenticeship at the candle and soap manufacturing business. On attaining his majority in 1835 he removed westward to Hamilton, Ohio, where his ability secured for him the position of superintendent of the J. U. Fisher packing house. Two years later he removed to Lacon, Illinois, but in the same year went to Quincy, that state. In 1839 he arrived in Iowa and from that time forward until his demise was closely associated with the business development and substantial upbuilding of the state. He located on the Des Moines river, on what was known as the Black Hawk purchase, nea'r Keosauqua, and after remaining there for a brief period traveled by wagon to Burlington. On reaching that place his horses gave out and he perforce must remain for a time. Therefore, he sought employment and, believing that the city offered good business opportunities, he at length made arrangements for embarking in business on his own account by borrowing money and erecting a small packing house. The energy which he displayed in the conduct of his business and his sound judgment brought to him ahiiost immediate success and a little later he purchased a sawmill. This was the beginning of the extensive and important lumber business with which he was long associated. In 1842 he became actively connected with the lumber trade and afterward established the Burlington Lumber Company. In 1852 he formed a partnership with Messrs. Carson and Eaton for the conduct of a lumber business, with mills located in Wisconsin, and their trade grew to mammoth proportions. Mr. Rand was wide-awake, alert and enterprising and readily recognized and utilized opportunities. The careful conduct of his business led to its continuous growth and he became a foremost factor in connection with the lumber trade of the upper Mississippi. At length he organized the Valley Lumber Company, a part of which corporation was the Carson & Rand Lumber Company of Keokuk. Moreover, he became a prominent figure in financial circles, owning stock in a number of banks.

Elbridge D. Rand was twice married. In April, 1837, he wedded Sarah A. Proud, of Centerville, Ohio, and unto them were born six children, all of whom are now deceased. This number included George Dexter Rand, who for an extended period was a leading lumberman and financier of Keokuk. On the 13th of June, 1852, he wedded Mrs. Caroline A. Roberts and they became the parents of four children, only one of whom is now living, Horace S. Rand, a capitalist residing in Burlington. Elbridge D. Rand passed away on the loth of April, 1889, having, therefore, reached the age of almost seventy-five years. His political endorsement was given to the whig part in early life and upon its dissolution he joined the ranks of the new republican party, which he continued to support throughout his remaining days. His fellow townsmen, appreciative of his worth and recognizing his loyalty to the best interests of the commonwealth, elected him to represent his district in the state legislature in 1856-7 and from 1860 until 1863 inclusive he was a member of the Burlington citv council, at all times exercising his official prerogatives in support of the general good and ever placing public welfare before partisanship or personal aggrandizement.

George D. Rand supplemented a course of study in the public schools by attendance at Asbury LTniversity in Greencastle, Indiana, from which in due time he was graduated. He entered upon his business career in Colorado, but during the Civil war all business and personal interests were put aside that he might aid his country. He was appointed paymaster in the volunteer navy — a position of high honor and trust, in which he served until June 30, 1864. He was then made assistant paymaster in the regular navy, his commission being signed by Abraham Lincoln and Gideon Wells, the latter then secretary of the navy.

After the war Mr. Rand engaged in business for a time in Alabama and the year 1880 witnessed his arrival in Keokuk, where he became an active member of the Carson & Rand Lumber Company, managing the local branch of their business until the withdrawal of the corporation from Keokuk. He had become acquainted with the lumber trade under the direction of his father, and in control of the Keokuk interests Mr. Rand displayed marked ability and undaunted enterprise, formulating his plans carefully and carrying them forward to successful completion. Into other fields of labor he also extended his efforts and became a leading figure in financial circles as vice president of the State Central Savings Bank and as director of the Keokuk National Bank and of the Iowa State Insurance Company.

xMr. Rand was united in marriage to Miss Sara McGaughey, a daughter of Edward W. and Margaret (Matlock) McGaughey, the former a distinguished lawyer of Putnam county, Indiana, who was also a member of the state legislature and a member of the twenty-ninth and thirty-first congresses. He was thus actively identified with the law-making bodies of his state and nation. Mr. and Mrs. Rand had one daughter, Mary, now deceased, and the father passed away November 12, 1903, his remains being interred at Greencastle, Indiana. Sometime before his death he became a member of the Roman Catholic church and Mrs. Rand is still a communicant of St. Peter's Catholic church.

In his political views Mr. Rand was a republican, with an earnest belief in the principles of the party, and at one time he served as city treasurer of Keokuk. In 1883 he was chosen mayor of the city and made an excellent record in that ofhce but declined to serve for a second term. It was during his incumbency in that position that Rand Park was completed and named in his honor. He belonged to the Loyal Legion and he was ever as true and loyal to his country and its best interests as when in the service of the government he aided in promoting the Union cause. His contemporaries and colleagues knew him as an able business man, as a progressive and public-spirited citizen and as a true and loyal friend. At his death the Keokuk Gate City said:

"Mr. Rand was a large-minded, generous-hearted, public-spirited citizen. In every relation in life — as a man, husband, neighbor, friend and fellow townsmen — he was above reproach and commanded the highest respect. In his dealings with his fellows in the commercial world he was ever high-minded and honorable and enjoyed, as he deserved, the confidence of everybody. In public life — he was mayor of Keokuk in 1883 — he made a record for himself that is greatly to his credit. During his entire residence in Keokuk Mr. Rand took active interest in everything of a public nature and exerted himself earnestly and efficiently for the common good. He was especially interested in communal affairs and gave unsparingly of time and effort to advance the moral and material welfare of the city. His ambition was to bring Keokuk, already a good city, still nearer to the plane of his own ideals. To Rand Park, named in his honor, he gave much valuable thought and time. Ever since its establishment he has served as one of the three commissioners to whom its general supervision has been entrusted and the city is greatly indebted to him, with others, for making it what it is. Mr. Rand also advanced liberally of his private means for the upbuilding of Keokuk in securing the location of new industries here. In addition to all this he made numerous semi-public and private benefactions. He was a generous contributor to the cause of religion and education and was never called upon in vain in the interest of charity. It is an open secret that St. Peter's school building was largely made possible through his liberality. There are scores of people in Keokuk who, if permitted to testify, would gladly tell of aid extended to them in time of trouble and need. If still living Mr. Rand would seriously object even to so much as this indefinite allusion to his benefactions, but now that he is gone from us it is not improper that the loss entailed by his death should receive at least the recognition here given it. His was a lovable character and the keynote of it, as all who know him will agree, was to live right and to endeavor to make right living as logical and natural to others as to himself. In pursuance of this aim he used his means with great good judgment and gratifying results."

As printed in Story of Lee County, Iowa; (1914). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.