Wesley L. Brandt (1842-1905)

BRANDT, ASHBROOK, DONAHUE, STUART, BEALES

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 2/7/2025 at 00:24:05

From Jewell Record March 24, 1905 (page 4)

OBITUARY.

Seldom, if ever, in the history of Jewell has the passing away of a single individual caused such universal sorrow as did that of Rev. W. L. Brandt, who departed this life Wednesday afternoon, March 15, 1905, between the hours of four or five o'clock. His sickness had been of such short duration that it was impossible to realize that he was no more, that he would no more meet and greet us with that pleasing and winning confidence and good will of all with whom he came in contact. As the sad news spread it cast a gloom over the entire community, as all, from the little children of the public school, to the college student and business man of the town felt that in him they had a personal friend. Coming to Jewell less than eighteen months ago, he knew the people much better, perhaps, than many who had resided here for years, as he was ever in search of the sick, the sorrowful and suffering that he might comfort and cheer. His life was truly a ministry of good works. As pastor of the Congregational church since October of 1903 he has ever been a faithful consistent worker for the advancement of Christ's Kingdom upon earth. He was spiritually minded and always exhorted his people by earnest effort and eloquent appeal to live pure, clean, devoted lives. He has gone to his reward but his good works in Jewell, as well as elsewhere, will live after him, "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord."

Rev. Hughes, an old time friend, preached the funeral sermon, giving extracts culled from notes of Rev. Brandt himself, upon the rewards of a Christian life. This sermon was a benediction of comfort and consolation to the sorrowing ones.

Wesley L. Brandt was born Nov. 1st, 1842, in Fairfield county, Ohio, and lived there with his parents until 1863 when he enlisted in Company C, 17th Ohio, Army of the Cumberland. He served faithfully during the remainder of the war taking part in all of the campaigns of his army. Loyalty to country was a passion with him. He came of a family of soldiers and no one who had heard him from the pulpit could doubt his genuine patriotism and love of country. On Nov. 21, 1865, he was united in marriage with Amelia J. Ashbrook, the faithful companion who still survives him. He continued to live in Fairfield county, Ohio, until the spring of 1882, when with his family he removed to Polk county, Iowa. Here he purchased a farm in the vicinity of Polk City upon which he resided until his entrance into the ministry in 1889. At this time he accepted a call to the pastorate of the Congregational church at Baxter, Iowa. He was afterward in charge of the Congregational churches of Reinbeck, Doon, Kellogg, Mitchellville and Jewell and in all of these places the churches prospered through his noble Christian efforts. He was called to his reward March 15 of the present year after a brief illness of two weeks duration.

Of a kind, loving disposition, strict integrity and unflinching honesty, his life has ever been above reproach. The world would be better for more such lives. Whatever he attempted as friend, citizen or Christian worker, that work was well and nobly done. Since his conversion in 1887 he had been a most zealous Christian worker and only an all wise Father can measure the worth of this work. He will live on and on in the memory of those with whom he has labored. He was ever a faithful and loving husband and father, a true and loyal friend and a veritable "Father in Israel" to his congregation.

He leaves to mourn his departure his wife, four daughters, Ora and Iva of Ames, Mrs. Ada Donahue, of St. Charles, Minn., and Hazel who has been with her parents, also two sons, Roy C. of Des Moines, and James, a student of the State College of Ames. Aside from the immediate family he leaves a host of friends on all of the different charges that he has held to mourn his loss. He is not dead, he has simply begun a new life in that blest land toward which we all should tend. What we call the end is simply the beginning of a greater, grander, nobler, never ending life. To him were the words of Paul especially applicable, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day."

The funeral service was held at the Congregational church, in this city, Sunday afternoon at two o'clock. The church was most beautifully decorated with cut flowers, potted plants, and flags; and the casket was completely covered with floral offerings and emblems, and wrapped in the U. S. flag.

Among the beautiful floral gifts were a box of Easter lilies from the church at Reinbeck, a box of carnations from friends at Kellogg, sheaf of wheat from Mrs. Brink of Doon, beautiful floral design--a harp--also, sheaf of wheat from the church of Jewell, beautiful pillow from the Jewell Lutheran College, box of Easter lilies and hyacinths from Mechanical Engineering Department, I. S. C., Ames; box of marguerites and hyacinths from Y. M. C. A., Ames; box of red roses from S. S. girls at Ames; box of carnations from church members at Baxter, besides hosts of boxes of roses, carnations, Easter and Calla lilies from personal friends at Ames, Reinbeck, Baxter, Des Moines and Kellogg. The Easter lilies which lined the inside of the casket were an offering from Mrs. Brandt and children.

Music was furnished by the Congregational choir, under the direction of Prof. Freeberg, who also played the funeral march.

Those in attendance from out of town were Mrs. W. Stuart, Geneva, Nebr., sister of Mrs. Brandt; Mrs. F. Donahue, St. Charles, Minn., daughter; Mr. Oliver Brandt, Columbus, Ohio, brother of deceased; R. C. Brandt, Des Moines, nephew; Mr. and Mrs. Beales, Polk City, Iowa; Mr. Mason, Reinbeck, Iowa; Miss B. Dunham, Ames, Iowa.

The remains were taken to Des Moines, Monday morning, where they were interred in Greenwood cemetery.