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 J. BRUNER, well known as a prominent builder and contractor of Mattoon, has retired from active business and resides at his home on Edgar street, in the enjoyment of the ease and prosperity won by years of toil and close application to business. He was born May 9, 1830, in Breckinridge County, Ky., and is the son of Abraham and Nancy (Penick) Bruner, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Virginia. His grandfather, John Bruner, was born in Germany, and emigrated to the United States when a young man. He was a farmer and distiller in Kentucky, and became one of the early settlers of Indiana, where he was successfully engaged in farming. His wife was likewise a native of Germany, whose family had emigrated to this country at an early day. They had a family of seven children, all of whom are now deceased, with one exception, Samuel Bruner, a resident of Indiana. Abraham Bruner passed his life in his native State, of which he was a substantial and worthy citizen. He was ever deeply interested in promoting the moral and religious welfare of the community where he resided. With his wife, he was a member of the Methodist Church, in which both were earnest workers. He was a strong advocate of the temperance cause, and took an active part in all measures tending to increase the educational advantages in his county. In politics he was a Jacksonian Democrat. Mr. and Mrs. Bruner had a family of ten children, eight of whom are now living—Jefferson, Henry, Andrew, Martha, Elizabeth, Lucinda, William and Abraham. A. J. Bruner passed his childhood and youth on his father’s farm in Kentucky, and his marriage to Miss Margaret E. Obannon took place there in 1851. Mrs. Bruner is the daughter of Rev. George and Jane (Lewis) Obannon, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Virginia. Rev. George Obannon came to Mattoon in 1858, where he received the pastorate of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He was of Scotch descent, and was born in Woodford County, Ky., Oct. 1, 1800. His wife was born Oct. 25, 1804, in Virginia, and is of English parentage. Mr. Obannon died July 10, 1887, and his widow still makes her home in Mattoon. The following are the names of their children now living Margaret, Marion, William, Oscar, Daniel and Taylor. Shortly after his marriage, Mr. Bruner leased a hotel in Caster, Breckinridge Co., Ky.. of which he became the proprietor, and after a trial of four months purchased it, with the design of carrying on that business. He changed his plans, however, at the close of the year, sold out his property, and moved to Louisville. He commenced mercantile business there, but after a few months sold out again and returned to his former home. He then opened a dry-goods house, which he carried on about two years, and then sold out his stock and invested in a wharf-boat. Within a few months his boat was lost in a severe storm, which disaster terminated that enterprise. In 1859 he went to Louisville, and thence in the same year, came to Illinois, where he settled in Mattoon and engaged in building and contracting in masonry. This enterprise proved successful. Many of the business blocks and brick residences in the city have been erected under his supervision. His business constantly increased, extending into Cumberland and Moultrie Counties. He kept a number of skilled hands in his employ and carried on a profitable business until 1880. when he retired. He purchased the property where he now resides in 1877, and is also the owner of other city property, having a house on Essex street, and also one on Marshall. Mr. and Mrs. Bruner have a family of three children now living George H., Millard F. and Maggie. The two sons have followed their father’s line of business and are both successful contractors and builders. George H. married Miss Mattie E. Stevens, and they have one child, Mabel; Millard F. married Miss Ada Ross, and they also have one child, Esther; Maggie resides at home, the companion of her parents. Mr. Bruner, with his wife, is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and in politics is a Republican. |
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