Otto Hans Brandt was born January 7, 1872 to George and Wiebke Brandt. He was the oldest of four children. Otto came to the United States from Holstein, Germany at the age of 16/17. He set up his home in Ute, Iowa.
He married Bertha Caroline Heller on March 24, 1898 in Iowa. Bertha was born August 5, 1880 and died June 21, 1966.Her parents were Lorenz P. and Dorthea Elisabeth Heller. There were ten children in the Heller family but only eight names are known.
The Hellers lived in Neligh for several years. William Heller was the Sheriff of Antelope County until his death. Otto and Bertha were the parents of five children: 1: Elsabeth Dorothy Louisez; born October 24, 1900 and died December 1, 1966:L married Burt Ova Middleton on March 11, 1919: Children: Evelyn, Dona, Elburta and Marvin 2: Rudolph George Lorenz, born January 14, 1901, and died January 28, 1977; married Irene Smith on August 29, 1925, Children: Lois, Rudolph Jr, Gene, Lola, Rudene, Caroline and Jeannette3: Albert Otto, born December 1, 1903 and died October 5, 1966, married Ruth Marie Adamson on October 17, 1927, Children: Robert, Marlene and Gloria 4: Lillie Wiebka, born May 14, 1905 and died on January 27, 1983; married Ralph Wyne Huston on January 27, 1926. He was born August 2, 1905 and died November 22, 1982. Children: Wanda, Betty and Richard. 5: Ferdinand Bernard , born October 13, 1907 and died June 9, 1972; married Ruth Thoornton on December 7, 1926. She was born August 26, 1908 and died December 10, 1983. Children: Richard, Ronald, Ramon, and Lorraine. Otto and Bertha bought the Nehoco Hotel in Neligh on March 1, 1920. In the 1930's he had a freight wagon that he used to haul the merchant's freight from the depot to their businesses.
Source Unknown: Originally submitted for this website in June 2007