Edward Francis Brand was born on December 15, 1861 in Clearfield Township, Cambria County, Pennsylvania, the son of Augustine John and Philomena (Martin) Brand. He was baptized on January 19, 1862 at St. Augustine Catholic Church in St. Augustine where his father was a founding member; his godparents were Simon and Maria Rufner.

Edward was the fourth of eleven children born to his parents. His father was 25 years older than her mother, who was his second wife. Edward had five older half-siblings.

Edward's mother gave birth to three older siblings and him in quick succession. She then had four more children, who all died young. Her three youngest children all lived to adulthood. Edward, consequently, had half-siblings who were as much as 24 years older than him, and full siblings who were as much as 16 years younger.

Edward was a coal miner.

On February 21, 1887 he married Mary Cence in Altoona, Blair County, PA. She was born in 1863 in Huntingdon County, the daughter of Adam and Angeline Cence. She, too, came from a big family and had at least nine brothers and sisters.

Edward and Mary had a daughter, Frances Olive, who born on March 20, 1895. It is not known if Frances Olive survived infancy or childhood.

Mary died in 1916.

In 1920 Edward lived alone in Patton, Clearfield Township, Cambria County as a boarder.

Edward died on June 29, 1922 in Patton at the age of 60.

Edward and Mary are buried in St. Mary's Cemetery in Patton.