Bruns, E.L.

HAASE, STEEGE, WENTE, MATTHIAS, DEEKMANN, SCHMIDT

Posted By: BCGS
Date: 12/2/2009 at 14:15:39

Among the progressive and able young men of Denver is numbered E.L. Bruns, who, since 1902, has been in business in the town and is now the proprietor of the only furniture and undertaking establishment there. He is a son of Henry and Caroline (Haase) Bruns, the former of whom came to America from Germany in 1848, settling with his parents in Illinois. Six years later they moved to Iowa and located in Jefferson township, this county, taking up government land. After he grew to maturity Henry Bruns came into possession of part of his father's farm and for many years thereafter engaged in agricultural pursuits, following this occupation continuously until his retirement with the exception of six years, during which he conducted a meat market in Denver. He gave up active life in 1909 and has since made his home in the city. He and his wife became the parents of six children: H.C., a resident of Waterloo; Louisa, the widow of Henry Deekmann, of Denver; Maria, who married Louis Deekmann, of Waterloo; Sophia, the wife of Fred Matthias, of Denver; Bertha, who married George Schmidt, of Bremer county; and E.L., of this review.

The last named acquired his education in the public schools of Denver and began his independent career when he was sixteen years of age, opening a jewelry store. Five years later he added furniture and undertaking departments and he has now the only furniture and undertaking establishment in Denver and has met with excellent success in his business, for his methods are at all times honorable and upright and his prices reasonable. He owns also a comfortable home in Denver and a half interest in a half section of land in North Dakota.

In Jefferson township, this county, in 1908, Mr. Bruns was united in marriage to Miss Anna Steege, who was born October 2, 1884, a daughter of H.W. and Minnie Steege, natives of Iowa. The parents were among the very first settlers of Bremer county, the father having taken up land in Jefferson township in early times. He still makes his home upon this property and is active in its cultivation and improvement. He and his wife became the parents of five children, the eldest of whom has passed away. The others are: Minnie, the wife of J.H. Wente, of Denver; Anna, wife of the subject of this review; W.C., of Jefferson township; and C.W. of the same locatity. Mr. and Mrs. Bruns have become the parents of a son, Arthur, who was born in 1909.

Mr. Bruns is a member of the German Lutheran church and a progressive republican in his political beliefs. He is at present serving as a member of the city council and also as fire chief and has proven capable and trustworthy in public office. Although still a young man, he has already attained a gratifying degree of success and will undoubtedly be carried forward into still more important relations with business interests.

History of Bremer County, Iowa Vol. II 1914