Representative Elbridge Dexter Rand View All Years
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Elbridge Dexter Rand
Des Moines County
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 mornings 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, Ill., with the intention of engaging in the pork-packing business with the brother of one of his former employers. While en route, Mr. Rand learned that the people of Lacon were afflicted with fever and ague, and therefore changed his plans, going to Quincy, Ill., 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 then known as the "Black Hawk purchase," and near the present town of Keosauqua. 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. In January, 1877, Mr. Rand organized the Burlington Lumber Company, and in 1879 he organized the Rand Lumber Company. 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. 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. Mr. Rand united with the Congregational Society of Burlington in 1844. He was twice married; first to Miss Sarah A. Proud, of Centerville, Ohio, in April, 1837. Mr. Rand was married again, June 13, 1852, at Burlington, to Mrs. Caroline A. Roberts, widow of J. W. Roberts.
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