By Cindy Gladden, Record Staff Writer
In 1934, Alvin Brandt was born on a farm originally purchased by his grandparents, August and Minnie Lefholz Brandt, a century prior to his birth.Now in his 80s, he and his wife Elaine still enjoy the 200-acre farm in what was known as Pinckney.Brandt has recently written a book titled “Two Hundred Years at Pinckney.” It is a rich collection of personal family stories and a glimpse of the history of German immigrants to southern Warren County.“I wrote it for my grandkids,” said Brandt. “People need to hear the history. It’s information I don’t want to get lost.”From 1971-1995, Brandt served Warren County as its county treasurer. At the same time, he was tending the farm raising English Wessex Saddleback hogs and French Limousin cattle. Their herds were registered under the WACOMO prefix for Warren County Missouri.Brandt enjoyed working with the unique breeds, reporting the Saddleback hogs were “excellent mothers with a favorable taste.” At one time, more than 50 Limousin cows and their calves dotted the hillsides of the Brandt farm.The recently released book includes information regarding the organization of Warren County and the establishment of Pinckney in 1819. A county seat for a time, Pinckney had a busy public square, a jail and courthouse. Many wealthy citizens built their homes in the area.Brandt tells how the Missouri River had a direct impact on the future of Pinckney and its move to a different location. Its post office and popular Ritter store were relocated 5 miles north of the original location on the banks of Smith Creek.Finding valuable and historic ledgers in an estate auction has given Brandt information about the Pinckney area from 1852-1898. Riddled with children’s handwriting, the ledgers still offered up a surprising amount of information about the operation of the store and its customers.Brandt highlights Rudolph Ritter, the owner of the store in an excerpt from the book.“He also was a postmaster, justice of the peace, wrote legal agreements and acted as a banker as well. Names of 190 patrons were listed in the 1852 ledger.”Information from the ledgers included items sold in the Ritter store and some of the purchases or barters made by the customers.Brandt describes 1850-era plank roads, the lack of timber in the area, location of critical springs and information about crops and the population.“A total of 172 men from Warren County took part in the Civil War,” he said, and lists their names.Farming practices are described, including the use of oxen, threshing methods and the improvement of labor-saving farm tools. Brandt discusses river transportation, area schooling, wildlife in the area and the survival skills of immigrant families.In 1888, the Smith Creek United Methodist Church was built within sight of the Brandt farm. His Grandfather Schroeder helped build the church as a young man of 17. The church bell is supported by 10-inch by 10-inch oak 40 feet above the ground.“Upon a death in the community the bell could be sounded for 30 minutes, then the bell would be tolled. The number of tolls would indicate the age of the deceased.”These and other interesting facts are described in colorful detail in Brandt’s book. The project also left Brandt with a lot of questions.“Why did my grandfather, his brother and wife end up in Bland, Mo., a month after arriving in New York?” he asked. “How did they get there and why did they go there?”Brandt hopes to answer these questions and more in his next book, which is currently in process. Ideas are forming and are detailed in his handwritten notes. He intends to include information about riverboat landings, the Katy Railroad and the evolution of machinery and farming practices.He will highlight towns in the area such as Case, Gore, Bernheimer, Treloar, Peers, Marthasville and Dutzow. Not yet ready for publication, Brandt hopes to release the new book sometime this year.To purchase “Two Hundred Years at Pinckney,” visit the Warren County Historical Society or Red Barn Antiques in Warrenton.Alvin Brandt is in the process of preparing his next book on the history of Pinckney and the surrounding area. He will include information about riverboat landings, the Katy Railroad and the evolution of farming practices. His first book is entitled “Two Hundred Years at Pinckney.” Record photo/ Cindy Gladden.
Alvin Brandt stands on the 200-acre century farm where he was born in historic Pinckney. In the background is the Smith Creek United Methodist Church built in 1888. The history of the Pinckney area is detailed in his book “Two Hundred Years at Pinckney.” Record photo/ Cindy Gladden.
