John L. Brenner, a shoemaker by trade, resides with his family in Osage City, Cole County. His birth occurred in Bavaria, Germany, the 29th of May, 1829, and from the time he was six years of age until about his thirteenth year he attended day school in his native place. He then began to learn the shoemaker's trade, and, being exempt from military duty, he followed his trade until his immigration to the United States in 1854. He landed in Baltimore, Md., from there made his way to New Albany, Ind., and thence to Osage City, Mo., which has since been his home. At the outbreak of the late civil war, after serving three months in the Home Guards, December 16, 1861, he enlisted in the Twenty-sixth Missouri Infantry, and served three years, receiving an honorable discharge at Savannah, Ga., January 10, 1865. He took part in the siege of New Madrid, siege of Corinth, the battles of Iuka, Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson, Champion's Hill, Mission Ridge, as well as others, and was with Sherman on his march to the sea. In 1853 Mr. Brenner married Margaret Schneider. They have seven children, three sons and four daughters, viz.: John H., Lawrence P., William J., Maggie, Ernstine, Kate and Barbara, the last two still being single. After the war Mr. Brenner bought a farm near Osage City, Mo., where he lived until 1882, when he took charge of the postoffice at Osage City, and has since lived at that place, where he owns a house and lot. Mr. and Mrs. Brenner are members of the Lutheran Church. In politics he is a Republican.

Transcribed from:
History of Cole, Moniteau, Morgan, Benton, Miller, Maries, and Osage Counties, Missouri, Goodspeed Publishing Company (1889).