My Genealogy Hound

J. S. BRANDT, one of the prosperous business men of Mt. Holly Springs, South Middleton township, Cumberland county, Pa., is a son of the well known Christian Brandt.

Christian Brandt was a shoemaker by trade and followed that occupation for a number of years, but on account of failing health was obliged to abandon that line of work. He turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, buying a small farm in Monroe township, in the cultivation of which he was successfully engaged to the time of his death, at the age of seventy-five years. He was a stanch supporter of the principles promulgated by the Republican party, and did much to advance that party’s interests in the neighborhood in which he lived. He was called upon to fill minor township offices, and served as tax collector for some years. He and his wife were consistent and valued members of the Lutheran Church, and upon several occasions he was called upon to fill Church offices, he was a man who was held in the highest esteem in the community in which he lived. Mr. Brandt married Elizabeth M. Morrette, and they became the parents of the following children: (1) Fannie E. married John G. Leidigh, and they live at Martinsburg, W. Va.; they have had six children: Elizabeth, Elmer E., Jennie (deceased), Thomas, Bertie (deceased) and Joseph. (2) Elizabeth M. married Simon Gloss, and lives at Mt. Holly Springs, where her husband was a carpenter until his death; they had children, Frank, Minnie, Nellie, Elizabeth, Samuel, David and Christy. (3) Leah married William Bross, and lives at Shippensburg, where he is a merchant tailor; they have one child, Jennie. (4) Jacob died at the age of ten years, in Monroe township. (5) J. S. is the subject of this sketch.

J. S. Brandt was born in Monroe township, Oct. 29, 1849, and was educated in that township, where he learned the trade of a saddler. After completing his apprenticeship at Carlisle, he followed his trade for about three and one-half years, when he located at Mt. Holly Springs. After a year there, he moved to Monroe township, and worked at his trade for eleven years, and also did farming, raising tobacco. His next change was made to Plainfield, West Pennsboro, where he remained ten years, and he then returned to Mt. Holly Springs, and purchased a fine residence and lot of eighty feet frontage at No. 34 Baltimore avenue. A few doors away from his residence he built a structure in which he has a barber shop, a saddler shop and general store. His barber shop is in the hands of skilled barbers, and his entire establishment is conducted along modern methods, he controlling a very large and constantly increasing trade.

In 1876 Mr. Brandt married Mary A. Beidler, of West Pennsboro township, daughter of John and Mary (Kauffman) Beidler, and they have the following children: Mary E. married Percy Harmon, who is in business at Mt. Holly; John K. B. married Myrtle Leidigh, daughter of John B. Leidigh, and is a butcher of Mt. Holly; Walter M. is at home learning the barber’s trade.

In politics, Mr. Brandt is a Republican, and has served on the town council for three years. He was assessor and registrar of Monroe township, and has always been a prominent factor in the ranks of the party. He is a member of the Order of American Mechanics, and the Daughters of America (the Ladies’ Auxiliary of that order).