Collection	Robert Brand, Jr.
Copyright	Oshkosh Public Museum
Description	Gelatin print mounted on gray colored card stock of female visitors, 2nd Wisconsin National Guard.
Event	Spanish American War
Medium	Cardstock/Photographic Paper/Ink
Notes	Outdoor view of female visitors to Phil Laffey's tent in the camp of the 2nd Wisconsin National Guard. Taken at Camp Thomas, Chicamauga, GA prior to their departure in July 1898. Phillip Laffey is the man standing at left. His mother-in-law, Mrs Mueller, sits at left, Robert "Popsey" Brand is seated at center, and Cora Mueller Laffey, Phil's wife, is seated at right clowning for the camera with a cigar in her hand. Robert "Popsey" Brand, Jr. was the son of Robert Brand, Sr. His parents were immigrants from Scotland. he was born in Oshkosh May 14, 1871 and was associated with his father's furniture business, Robert Brand and Sons. He was a member of the Arion Band and Orchestra and was the flute soloist. On December 20, 1894 he married Laura Curtis and they had one son, Edwin Brand. While serving in the 2nd WNG band as Principle Musician, he contracted Typhoid Fever at Camp Thomas, Chicamauga, Georgia. He was ill for ten days and his wife and father rushed to his bedside. He died July 5, 1898. His remains were brought back to Oshkosh, where flags were flown at half mast and he was interred at Riverside Cemetery. Phillip A. Laffey was born in Portsmouth, England April 17, 1871. He began his musical career at age 14 and was a Band Master in the British Navy. In 1895 he came to the US and setled in Oshkosh. he became the violinist for Trinity Episcopal Church. He married Cora Mueller October 29, 1896. He was one of the founders of the Arion Band and the Acme Orchestra in Oshkosh. He served as the Band Leader of the 2nd WNG Band for several years and served during the Spanish-American War. In 1901 he moved to Chicago, IL where he instructed violin at the Chicago Conservatory. he also toured with orchestras for 11 seasons. The Laffeys returned to Oshkosh in November 1927 where he conducted the band at the Fischer theater. He invented improvements to the glockenschpiel and was an active music composer. He died in Oshkosh in 1947.
Object ID	P2004.18.3
Object Name	Print, Photographic
People	Laffey, Phillip A. Brand, Robert "Popsey", Jr. Laffey, Cora Mueller Mueller, Mrs.
Place	Camp Thomas, GA
Print size	9" x 12"
Subjects	Group photographs Male Soldiers 2nd Wisconsin National Guard Bands Military bands Arion Band Music Musicians Composers Camps Tents Cigars
Title	Female Visitors, 2nd Wisconsin National Guard
Year Range from	1898
Year range to	1898

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Last modified on: July 22, 2007