From Memorial and Genealogical Record of Dodge and Jefferson Counties, Wisconsin, publ. 
1894 - Page 54-56
 
EDWARD J. BRANDT.  The banking business is a clean and honorable one, and the most astute 
and able minds of the country find in that line the most congenial work.  No branch of business in 
America can make a stronger showing of solid thinkers, brilliant financiers or more subtle 
organizers, and the city of Watertown, Wis., can show its quota of strong and able men engaged 
in that line of business.  Prominent among these Edward J. BRANDT is well worthy of mention, 
for his course has been marked by a deep conviction of duty which has led him to conscientiously 
regard all trusts reposed in him, and by the far-seeing intelligence that he has displayed at all 
times.  Possessed of a praiseworthy ambition to succeed, he has applied himself with great 
diligence to business, seizing all opportunities for informing himself thoroughly as to minor details, 
and this explains his ready grasp of the whole field of operations, and the signal success that has 
attended his business life.  He was born in Watertown, Wis., July 18, 1859, has resided there all 
his life, and the people of Jefferson County have had every opportunity to judge of his character 
and qualifications, and his reputation has remained unsullied.  His parents, Frederick and 
Wilhelmine (BRUECK) BRANDT, were born in Germany, but during the early years of their lives 
became subjects of "Uncle Sam," the father arriving in this country via the Gulf of Mexico, and his 
first occupation after landing was as a yellow fever nurse in New Orleans.  From that city he went 
to Indianapolis, Ind., and there he engaged in the saw mill and lumber business, and became the 
owner of a piece of land near which the State Capitol building now stands.  At the end of a few 
years he came to Watertown, Wis., of which place he was one of the pioneers, and as a 
considerable portion of the land on which the town now stands was covered with a rich growth of 
primeval forest, Mr. BRANDT assisted in clearing it.  He was the owner of the first dray ever used 
in the place, which was an old-fashioned two-wheeled cart, drawn by one horse, and himself ran 
this cart for a few years, after which he opened a mercantile establishment, and kept a well-
stocked general store for a number of years.  In this business he was succeeded by his son 
William F. BRANDT, who still carries on the business, so ably inaugurated by his worthy sire, 
under the firm name of BRANDT & ABELE.  Mr. BRANDT has for some years been retired, and is 
enjoying his well-earned rest after the burden and heat of the day, and the pleasures and 
comforts to be derived from a comfortable income, the result of his early labors.  He has been 
alderman of his ward, but aside from this  has never held any official position to speak of, his time 
and attention being otherwise occupied than politically.  He has but two children, William F. and 
Edward J.
 
In the public schools of Watertown and in the Northwestern University the subject of this sketch 
received his literary education, after finishing which he entered the bank of Watertown, at the age 
of eighteen, as bookkeeper, a very responsible position for one of his years, and he was 
somewhat modest in regard to his ability to fill it satisfactorily, but he proved conscientious, 
faithful and able, and met with the approval of the bank officials.  He was after a time made 
assistant cashier, but six months later (in 1884) he was made cashier, and has filled this position 
with marked ability ever since.  Mr. BRANDT is a young man of rare business attainments, 
thoughtful and far-seeing beyond his years, and since he became cashier he has had almost the 
entire management of the bank, and its books show that under his able regime it has been 
remarkably prosperous.  He organized the Edward J. BRANDT, Dent Company, with a paid up 
capital of $25,000, of which he is president, manager and principal stockholder.  This business 
has been in constant operation from the time of its inception and throughout the entire financial 
panic gave constant employ from eighteen to twenty men.  The methods of the bank with which 
he has been so conspicuously connected have always been conservative, yet energetic; taking 
no speculative risks, but doing a straight, legitimate business, and under the control of such a 
man as Mr. BRANDT it is no matter for surprise that it should steadily increase in importance and 
wealth.  Mr. BRANDT is a musician of no mean order, and spent three years in the Conservatory 
of Milwaukee, and is now the leader of the St. Bernard's Church choir, which has a wide 
reputation for excellence.  On September 12, 1873, he led to the altar Miss Thekla 
WIGGENHORN, and to their union a daughter has been given - Eugenia.  Politically Mr. BRANDT 
is a Democrat, but has taken no other interest in political matters other than exercising his right of 
franchise.  As he his still a young man, a brilliant future is predicted for him, by all who know him, 
as he journeys down the hill of life.