J. W. BRUNSON, farmer, Sec. 30; P. O. Mt. Hope; was born in 1805, in Sing Sing, N. Y.; son of Ira Brunson. His father was a stone-cutter by trade, and was drowned one year after the birth of this son, while he was keeping the ferry across the Hudson River, at that time. His mother moved to Danbury, Conn. At the age of 15 years, he became an apprentice to the hatter's trade, under Capt. John Foot, with whom he lived until he was 19 years of age; began work for himself in 1824, after the death of his mother; followed his trade at different places for some time, then went to Utica, N. Y., and attended school for six months. He became a member of a Masonic Lodge in 1826. He emigrated to Columbus, Ohio, where he lived nine years, and, in 1836, removed to Grant Co., Wis., locating at Patch Grove; in 1836, he reutrned to Ohio; came back to Wisconsin in the winter of 1837, riding all the way on horseback, locating at Cassville, and began merchandising in company with Mr. Sellers, for a short period; then removed to Lancaster and kept the first store at that place. In 1839, he was appointed Tax Collector for Grant Co., and, in 1840, he moved to Mt. Hope, where he has since lived. He was married the first time in 1829, at Blendon, Franklin Co., Ohio, to Margaret Benton, daughter of Samuel and Aurelia Benton, who died in 1833; was married the second time in 1840, in Crawford Co., Wis., to Henrietta Foster, daughter of Henry and Julie Foster; was married the third time in 1847, to Almina Benton, sister of his first wife. He had two children by his first wife - Mary J. and Alfred; three by his second wife - Benjamin F., Emily M., Ida E.; four by his third wife - Aurelia F., Delford B., Almina, Jennie E. He has been Justice of the Peace for thirty years; Chairman of the Town Board two years, and member of the County Board one year. In politics he is a Greenbacker; is a member of the M. E. Church.

This biography generously submitted by Roxanne Munns.