Clay Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties-Ananias Brill
Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1890
ANANAIS BRILL. A beautiful and fertile
farm in Clay County is the home of
the aboved named gentleman, who ranks
among the progressive citizens of the
county, not only in his agricultural labors, but in
his interest in every movement which tends to the
development and elevation of society, financially,
mentally and morally. His citizenship in Kansas
dates from 1868, in the spring of which year he became
a resident of Jefferson County. Thence he came
to this county, and on Feb. 12, 1870, filed claim to
a homestead of 160 acres on sections 25 and 26,
Bloom Township. The place is watered by the
north branch of Five Creeks, and is in a fine state of
cultivation, containing all the improvements which
are needful to the work of general farming, in
which its owner is engaged. The pleasant and cozy
residence is located on section 25, and it, as well as
the other farm buildings, is substantially built.
Mr. Brill comes of a highly respectable family,
both parents and himself having been born in
Frederick County, Va. His own birth took place
Sept. 25, 1844, he being the youngest of a family
made up of four sons and five daughters. He grew
to man's estate in his native county, and while still
a single man, went to Delaware County, Ohio, and
after a residence there of two and a half years,
during which time he was engaged in farming, came
to this State.
The first matrimonial alliance of Mr. Brill was
celebrated in this county, the bride being Miss
Carrie Dague, a native of Lorain County, Ohio,
where her death occurred after some years spent in
this State. She breathed her last in April, 1876,
being then thirty years old. She had been an active
member of the German Baptist (Dunkard)
Church. She left one son, William H., who is now
a resident of Morgan County, Mo.
Mr. Brill was a second time married, the ceremony
taking place in Five Creeks Township, and
the bride being Mrs. Izettie White, nee Duffer. She
was born in Morgan County, Ill., July 7, 1859,
and is a daughter of Isaac and Delitha (Bechnell)
Duffer. Her father was a native of Kentucky but
reared in Indiana, and there married to a lady
whose nativity and training were similar to his own.
Mrs. Duffer departed this life in this county in 1881,
when about forty-five years of age. She was a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Her
husband still survives and is making his home
with their daughter, Mrs. Brill. The latter has
spent the greater part of her life in this State,
being carefully reared by her parents with whom
she remained until her marriage to Garrison
White. At his death she was left a widow with
two children�Lou and Mattie�both of whom are
now deceased. Her union with Mr. Brill has resulted
in the birth of five children, all living but
Carrie E. The survivors are John O., Howard E.
and Mary E. (twins), and Laura E.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Brill belong to the Methodist
Episcopal Church. He is a member of the Union
Labor party. Both are highly regarded by those
around them, their kindly natures, intelligence and
interest in every good work being felt as an influence
for good in the community where they have
made their home.
Benjamin Brill, the father of our subject, was by
occupation a farmer, and spent his entire life in the
Old Dominion, being gathered to his fathers when
quite old. His wife, Anna Orndorff, passed from
earth when scarcely more than of middle age, she
also having lived her whole life in Virginia. The
parents of both were Americans, but the ancestry
was from the German Empire.