An Illustrated History of Central Oregon, Western Historical Publishing Company,
Spokane, WA. 1905, page 410-411.

J. ELMER RAND, a genial and pleasant business man of Hood River, who is
conducting one of the leading mercantile establishments of the city, was born in
Wisconsin, on May 16, 1865. His father, Robert Rand, mentioned elsewhere in this
work, is a native of Ohio and married Miss Christina Glispie, a native of New
York, who died in Portland, in 1900. Our subject lived in Wisconsin until
sixteen, being employed on his father's farm, which adjoined West Salem, and in
attending school. In 1880, he came with the balance of the family to Iowa, where
he was engaged in agricultural work with his father for four years, when they
all moved to Hood River. The father purchased a farm near town and was assisted
by J. Elmer one year in tilling the same. Then our subject went to Portland and
took a course in the business college. After that he clerked in the Merchants
hotel, in Portland about one year, then he returned to Hood River and with his
father opened a hardware store. The following year, they put in a large stock of
general merchandise and conducted the business successfully until the sale to
A.S. Blowers and Sons, which has already been mentioned in this volume. Upon
being released from the store, Mr. Rand made a trip to the east in the interests
of the Davidson Fruit Company, which occupied some months. Then he returned to
Hood River and purchased the stock and business of G.D. Woodworth, a general
merchant. Since that time, Mr. Rand has conducted the store and has a fine
business at this time. He carries a very complete stock and is up-to-date in
every respect. Mr. Rand is a stirring business man and has shown excellent
ability in handling the enterprises which have been placed in his hands. He has
the confidence of the people and is a public minded and progressive man. On
November 1, 1904, Mr. Rand moved into E.L. Smith's handsome new brick building.      

At Hood River, on September 12, 1892, occurred the marriage of Mr. Rand and Miss
Georgiana Smith, the daughter of Ezra L. and Georgiana (Slocom) Smith, who are
mentioned elsewhere in this work. Two children have been the fruit of this
union, Everett L., and Anna L. Mr. Rand has three brothers, William F., Delbert
E., and Ernest C. and one sister, Mrs. Henrietta Rahm. Mr. Rand is a member of
the A.O.U.W., the K.O.T.M. and the K.P. He has passed the chairs in each of
these orders and is popular and influential in fraternal circles. Mr. Rand and
his wife are members of the Unitarian church, having assisted to organize the
society here. He is serving his third term in the city council and is now
president of the same.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in January 2005 by Jeffrey L. Elmer. 
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.