MOSES BRUBAKER, a resident of Girard, has acquired sufficient wealth in the exercise of his vocation as a farmer to enable him to live retired from active labor, though he still retains possession of his finely improved farm. A native of Roanoke County, Va., our subject was born October 5, 1830. His father, whose given name was Joel, was a native of the same county, and was a son of Henry Brubaker, who was a Pennsylvanian by birth. He in turn was a son of John Brubaker, who was born in Germany or in Pennsylvania of German parentage. He went from there to Virginia, and was an early settler in that part of Botetourt County, now included in Roanoke County, where he passed the remainder of his life in the pursuits of agriculture. He was a stanch member of the German Baptist Church. His wife, whose maiden name was Annie Myers, also spent her last years on the old Virginia homestead, and now rests beside her husband in the cemetery on their old farm, located four miles northwest of the village of Salem.
Henry Brubaker was young when his parents removed to Virginia. He inherited a portion of the old homestead, and resided on it until his death, in 1848. The maiden name of his first wife, grandmother of our subject, was Christiana Flory. Her last years were spent in Franklin County, Va. The maiden name of his second wife was Salome Eler. By his first wife there were seven children that grew to maturity, and by his second marriage he had ten children.
The father of our subject was a life long resident of his native State. His father assisted him to buy a farm near his early home. H was prosperously engaged in raising stock, grain, tobacco, etc., until his death, in January, 1853. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Betsy Fisher, came to Illinois after his death to live with her children, and died at Virden, in 1865. She was a native of Franklin County, Va., and a daughter of Peter Fisher, who is supposed to have spent his entire life in Virginia. The parents of our subject were God fearing people, and among the most faithful members of the German Baptist church, rearing their children to the same belief. They were the parents of ten children, who are named, Sally, Mary, Susan, Magdaline, Elizabeth, Catherine, Moses, John, Noah and Peter. Sally and Magdaline are dead.
Our subject received his education in his native county, and amid its pleasant scenes grew to man's estate. After his father's death, he being the eldest son, the care of the home farm devolved upon him, and he had charge of it until he was twenty-four years old. At that age he went to Ohio, and bought a farm in Clarke County, near Enon. He devoted himself to its cultivation for a number of years, but finally disposed of it in 1864, in order to take up his residence in this county, as he was very favorably impressed with its genial climate and with the surpassing fertility of its soil. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Virden Township, and ten acres of timber in South Otter Township. At that time a set of frame buildings stood on the place, including a small frame house and a stable. He constantly made improvements, and under his careful management the farm increased in worth and became a valuable piece of property. In January, 1879, he rented his farm, and coming to Girard, bought his present comfortable residence, which he and his amiable wife and family make the center of pleasant hospitality. They and all their children, except one, are influential members of the German Baptist Church, and they are greatly esteemed in their neighborhood for their many fine traits of character.
Mr. Brubaker has been twice married. January 27, 1856, he was wedded to Miss Susan Brubaker. She was born in Clarke County, Ohio, April 9, 1839, a daughter of Jonathan Brubaker. She died December 10, 1868, leaving behind her a good record as a faithful wife and loving mother. Four children are living that were born of that marriage - Mary Peter, Elizabeth and Jonathan. The second marriage of our subject which took place June 20, 1869, was with Miss Lizzie Basler. She is a native of Noble County, Ind., and a daughter of Henry and Margaret (Studebaker) Basler. Her mother was a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of John and Hannah Studebaker. Mr. and Mrs. Brubaker have four children, namely: Elma, Asa, Susan and Lydia.