Joseph Rands, BiographyPorter County biographical sketches . . . .
Transcribed biography of Joseph Rands
JOSEPH RANDS. A soldier and the son of a soldier, Joseph Rands, who resides in section 20 of Jackson township, Porter county, is one of those who figuratively have beaten their swords into plowshares, for he forsook warfare with the passing of the Civil war and is spending his mature years in the peaceful occupation of farming.
Mr. Rands was born in New York state, August 12, 1846, a son of Joseph and Jane (Bates) Rands. The father was born in England, and the mother in Canada. The senior Rands came to Canada, and remained for a while, serving as a soldier in the English army. He was married in Canada, and went thence to New York to engage in farming. He was the father of thirteen children, the subject of this sketch being the second of the family. Nine of these children are living.
The subject of this sketch was not educated in his youth, because it was necessary for him to work on the home place and for neighbors. He made his own way from the time he was fourteen, and at the age of eighteen he enlisted for service in the Civil war. On August 8, 1864, he joined Company A, Sixty-first New York Volunteers, and at Ream's Station saw his first battle. He participated with his regiment in several other engagements, and remained in the service until the close of the war, being mustered out and accorded an honorable discharge in July, 1865.
He returned to his native state, and later went to Nebraska, where he remained but one year, returning to New York. In the latter state he was married in 1870 to Amelia Ashman. Their family consisted of three children: Ada, wife of Charles Linderman; Clara, wife of David Lindaman; Ruby, wife of Fred Kimball. His first wife died April 7, 1891. He was married April 22, 1894, to Mary Marquardt, who was born in Michigan City, June 10, 1857, a daughter of Julius and Ernestina Wiese. She was married first to Jacob Thune, and was the mother of three children: Ella, wife of Edward Sears; Flora, wife of John Knapp; and Arthur, who is unmarried. To this second marriage of each there was born one daughter, Ethel B., who showed remarkable proclivity for study; She graduated from the common schools at the age of thirteen, and from the Valparaiso high school when fifteen years old. She took a course at Valparaiso University and is now engaged in teaching in Jackson township. Mrs. Rands is a member of the Lutheran church at Valparaiso.
Mr. Rands occupies a distinctive position in his community. He is a member of A. B. Wade Post. G. A. R. His political preferences are those of the Republican party, and he takes a keen interest in public affairs, while he does not crave place or position. He owns one hundred and twenty-three acres of Jackson township land. In his personal and social contacts Mr. Rands is courteous and agreeable, and he is highly regarded by all.
Source: Lewis Publishing Company. 1912. History of Porter County, Indiana: A Narrative Account of its Historical Progress, its People and its Principal Interests. Chicago, Illinois: Lewis Publishing Company. 881 p.
Page(s) in Source: 786-787
This biography has been transcribed exactly as it was originally published in the source. Please note that we do not provide photocopies or digital scans of biographies appearing on this website.
Biography transcribed by Steven R. Shook