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MONONGALIA COUNTY WEST VIRGINIA
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Submitted to the West Virginia Biographies Project by:
Chris & Kerry
cmac4330@chesapeake.net
December 13, 1999
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The History of West Virginia, Old and New
Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc.
Chicago and New York, Volume II
pg. 154
WILLIAM HARVEY BRAND, president of the County Farm Bureau of Monongalia County
and a former sheriff, has been closely and influentially identified with the
agricultural and public interests of this section of West Virginia for many
years. He was born in the county, represents one of its old and honored
families, and his activities and services have made him a conspicuous figure.
His great-grandfather, John Brand, married Jane McCray, and of the eight
children of their union one was James Brand, who was born October 5, 1788. He
married Elizabeth Wade, and they became the parents of twelve children.
Edmond Warren Brand, father of William H. Brand, was born at Laurel Point,
Grant District, Monongalia County, January 20, 1838. His business was farming,
but he also participated in local politics, was deputy sheriff, justice of the
peace, and for two terms a member of the County Board. He was affiliated with
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and was a devout Baptist. He died December
25, 1899, and his wife, on September 2, 1910. Her maiden name was Elizabeth
Shafer, daughter of Jacob Shafer, of Monongalia County. Their four children were
Frank, now deceased; Anna B., wife of S. D. Furman; Ella M., who was married to
James W. Scott; and William Harvey.
William Harvey Brand was born on his father's farm at Laurel Point in Grant
District, October 23, 1867. His education was attained in the local schools and
he had a good training in agricultural pursuits at home. In 1888, at the age of
twenty-one, he became a salesman for farming implements, his territory being
Monongalia County. In 1897 he was appointed deputy sheriff, filling that office
one term. He was elected high sheriff in 1908, and spent one term in that
office. Mr. Brand was also elected a member of the County Court for a term of
six years, but after two years he resigned in order to give his full attention
to his farming interests. A leader in agricultural matters, he was the general
choice for the office of president when the County Farm Bureau was organized in
1916, and has since continued in this office for five years. He was for four
years president of the School Board of Morgantown District. Mr. Brand in 1901
bought and moved to a farm in Union District, but he sold this property in 1911
and acquired his present fine farm in Morgantown District. He is a general
farmer and livestock raiser, and thoroughly progressive in all his methods. He
is also a director of the Farmers and Merchants Bank and the Bank of Morgantown.
He and the family are members of the Baptist Church.
June 14, 1893, Mr. Brand married Inez Lough, daughter of Ellery J. Lough. They
are the parents of four children: Everett W., born December 19, 1894, married
Clara Wilbour; Dessie, born April 1, 1898, is the wife of Carl Kinnan; Archie
Camden, born September 16, 1902, married Bessie Matson; and Willis Delmont, born
January 22, 1904, the youngest, is attending Fork Union Military School in
Virginia. He is quite an athlete being a regular player on the football,
basketball and baseball teams.
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