Person:Eliphalet Brandenburg (1)

From “Biographical Memoirs, Huntington county, Indiana, 1901” pages 643-644

The late Eliphalet Brandenburg was one of the successful farmers of Huntington county, and for many years a prominent citizen of the township of Clear Creek. He was born January 13, 1818, near New Carlisle, Clark county, Ohio, and there grew to manhood on his father's homestead. In 1840 he came to Indiana, locating in the county of Jay, where he purchased land, cleared a farm and after residing thereon for a period of eight years disposed of the place and bought a quarter section of land in Whitley county. He cleared away the heavy timber, and a good farm was prepared for tillage, principally with his own hands, a task attended with many difficulties and hardships. He made of the above place a fine home, supplied with many of the comforts and conveniences of life; but in 1871 again made a change, removing to Huntington county.

Mr. Brandenburg was twice married, the first time to Susan Steepleton, by whom he had six children, namely: Mary, Anthony, Minerva, Sabina E., Elias and Eveline. After the death of the mother of these children Mr. Brandenburg, on the 2nd day of April 1871, married Mrs. Lydia A. Swank, widow of the late Jacob R. Swank, and daughter of Jacob and Mary Peftly. She was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, February 13, 1838. By her previous marriage Mrs. Brandenburg had two children, bothdeceased, and one child resulted from the second union, towit: William S. Brandenburg, a farmer and stock raiser of Clear Creek township.

Mr. Brandenburg, as previously stated, was one of Huntington county's representative farmers, and the township of Clear Creek was proud to number him with its best and most progressive citizens. Few men in the community where he lived were as highly respected or enjoyed so great a personal popularity. He was a hardworking, industrious man and had the satisfaction of realizing the results of his arduous toil in a competency which he enjoyed during his later years. He stood “four-square” to all the world, and won a reputation for sterling honesty, which is the most valuable heritage left to his descendants. His life was measured according to the standard as found in the teachings of Holy Writ, and as a humble and devout member of the Church of God, he did much by his words and example to spread the cause of religion among his many neighbors and friends of clear Creek township. After a long and useful life, fraught with great good to his fellow man, he died in the hope of a triumphant resurrection, May 18, 1897. At the present time the home farm, one of the most highly improved places in Clear Creek, which was the property of Mrs. Brandenburg previous to her marriage, is still in her possession, and she operates it with good judgment and gratifying financial results. She is a lady of high standing in the community, and possesses business ability of no mean order. She contributed much to her husband's success by her wise counsels and material help, and in the management of his large and valuable estate has increased its worth and kept the labors and savings of a long life of faithful and energetic toil. She is a member of the United Brethren Church, and as such has endeared herself to the community by her many acts of benevolence and charity, and by living in harmony with the religion she professes.

(Spelling and punctuation is how it appears on the original document)

1.   Sarah Golda Sitz. Brandenburg-Maxwell Book. (Published 1970 no copies available. It is on microfiche at the Mormon Family History Center. Book is on 4 microfiche beginning with #6100925)
   pages 123 & 124, 25 Jan 2005.

   Quality: 4

2. ↑ Family tradition says that three sons of Samuel and Hannah Brandenburg came from Ohio to Indiana by way of the canal on a barge. Moses, Eliphalet (called Life), and one other brother and their families. The other brother might have been Samuel since he is recorded as living in the same area. The three families brought with them a two wheel cart, a team of oxen, a dog, and all their belongings that would fit on the cart. They settled at Roanoke, Indiana and built a log cabin with a blanket at the door. It wasn't uncommon in those days for the wolves to howl. The dog didn't even venture very far from home.