Rand, William

Description

Early Life

William Henry Rand Jr. was born on January 8, 1866, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of William Henry Rand and Harriet Husted Robinson. He was educated in the Midwest before pursuing higher education at Harvard University, graduating with the class of 1888.

He went on to establish himself as a prominent attorney in New York City, becoming associated with leading legal figures of the era. By the early twentieth century, he had relocated with his family to Rye, New York, where they maintained a residence on Forest Avenue, establishing a strong connection to the community.

World War I Service

Rand entered military service on December 6, 1917, receiving a commission through the Officers’ Reserve Corps in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps of the United States Army. Bringing with him extensive legal experience from civilian life, he was assigned to legal and administrative duties essential to the Army’s wartime operations.

He served in Washington, D.C., and Hoboken, New Jersey, and was later assigned to duty connected with the American Expeditionary Forces. His responsibilities would have included military justice, legal review, and administrative oversight, functions critical to maintaining discipline and legal order during a period of rapid expansion of the Army.

Rand rose through the ranks during his service, being promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in November 1918 and to Colonel on April 23, 1919. His advancement reflects both his professional expertise and the importance of legal officers in wartime administration.

He served overseas from December 1918 to April 1919 and was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal on April 4, 1923, in recognition of his contributions.

He was honorably discharged on May 1, 1919.

Life After Service

Following World War I, Rand resumed his distinguished legal career in New York City. He became a leading criminal lawyer and was associated with the firm Jerome, Rand & Kresel, working alongside notable legal figures including William Travers Jerome.

He had previously served as Assistant Corporation Counsel for New York City and remained active in legal and civic affairs throughout his career.

Rand maintained his ties to Rye while also residing in New York City, balancing professional and family life between the two communities.

William H. Rand Jr. died on February 10, 1931, in New York City at the age of 65. Funeral services were held at St. George’s Church in Manhattan, attended by members of his Harvard class and the legal community.

He was survived by his wife, Rosalie Rand; and his sons, William H. Rand III and Robert C. Rand.