Marion G. Brandenburg

From History of Frederick County. p. 1054-1056:

Marion G. Brandenburg, a prominent farmer of Jackson District, Frederick County, Md., son of Eli and Susanna (Main) Brandenburg, was born on the old Brandenburg homestead in Jackson District, July 11, 1857.

The Brandenburg family is of German descent. Mathias Brandenburg, great-grandfather of Marion G. Brandenburg, was one of the early settlers of the northern part of Frederick County. He was a teamster and endured many hardships hauling merchandise to and from Baltimore, Md. However hard work and attention to business brought him financial success, and he was able to call the old home his property. Mathias Brandenburg was married to Barbara Keller. Their children are: 1, Abram, deceased; 2, Daniel, deceased; 3, Henry, deceased; 4, Jacob, deceased; 5, David; 6, Catherine, second wife of the late Jacob Biser. Mr. Brandenburg and his wife were members of Christ Reformed Church, of Middletown, Md. He died in 1818. He and his wife were laid to rest in the cemetery at Middletown.

Henry Brandenburg, grandfather of Marion G. Brandenburg, who was well-known among the older farmers of Jackson District, was born in 1792, on the old homestead, two miles south of Myersville, Md. He grew up on his father’s farm and was educated in the public schools of his native district. After the death of their parents, he and his brother, Daniel, purchased the home property and divided it. On his share of the land, Mr. Brandenburg built a comfortable two-story brick dwelling, a bank barn, and all the required out-buildings. Here he spent the remainder of his life in cultivating and improving his land, and was highly esteemed by the men of his generation. Henry Brandenburg was married to Mary, daughter of Frederick Biser, whose parents were descended from families prominent in the Middletown Valley. They had five children: 1, Malinda, deceased; 2, Elizabeth, deceased; 3, Mary A., of Jackson District; 4, Harriett, deceased; 5, Eli. Mr. Brandenburg and his wife were members of Christ Reformed Church, in Middletown. He was an active worker in the church, and served the congregation as deacon and as elder for many years.

Eli Brandenburg, father of Marion G. Brandenburg, was born on the homestead in Jackson District, May 15, 1830. He attended the public schools of the district, and remained at home assisting his father until he married, when he rented the place from his father. After the death of his father, Mr. Brandenburg purchased the property from the estate. The farm consisted of 75 acres of arable land to which he afterwards added 20 acres. He improved his property in many ways and made it one oi the fine farms of the district. Hard work and watchfulness have brought him a rich reward. Besides this farm, he owns two brick dwellings in Harmony, Md., and 35 acres of valuable timber land on the Catoctin Mountain. In 1899, when he retired from active farm life, Mr. Brandenburg removed to the comfortable two-story brick dwelling which he had built for himself on the farm. He is honored in the community as a successful business man and as a reliable citizen. He is a member of the Prohibition party. Eli Brandenburg was married to Susanna, daughter of William Main, of Frederick City. Of their nine children eight reached adult age. 1, Theodora M., of Frederick City; 2, Marion G.; 3, George W., a farmer of Middletown District; 4, Calvin R., of California; 5, James, at home; 6, Edward F., of Colorado; 7, William W., a merchant of Harmony, Md.; 8, Lewis H., of Myersville, Md. Mr. Brandenburg and his wife are members of Christ Reformed Church, of Middletown. He is a liberal contributor, and has served the congregation as deacon and as elder for many years.

Marion G. Brandenburg was educated in the public schools of Jackson District, and remained at home, assisting his father until he reached liis twenty-second year. After his marriage, Mr. Brandenburg began farming for himself on the P. J. Levy farm, which he cultivated successfully for sixteen years. He then removed to the Noah Routzahn place and, after farming it for two years, purchased his present home from Thaddeus M. Biser. This farm, to which he removed in 1900, consists of 104 acres of fertile land, situated a mile and a-half south of Myersville, along the old Hagerstown road and the Inter-Urban Railroad. The location is beautiful and Mr. Brandenburg has remodeled the dwelling, and put up a bank barn with all necessary buildings. His toil and care have made his farm one of the best in Jackson District. Mr. Brandenburg is an active member of the Republican party, and has been one of the Central Committee for a number of years. He is also one of the supervisors of roads in Jackson District.

Marion G. Brandenburg was married to Laura C. Routzahn, daughter of Noah and Elizabeth B. (Smith) Routzahn. a descendant of a prominent family of the Middletown Valley. Their children are: 1, Elmer G., merchant, Hagerstown, Md.; 2, Carrie L. (Mrs. Franklin P. Shank), of Middletown; 3, Oscar C, at home; 4, Annie E., at home. Mr. Brandenburg is a member of Christ Reformed Church of Middletown; he is a liberal contributor, and has served the congregation as deacon and as elder for many years. Mrs. Brandenburg is a member of the Lutheran Church at Middletown.