Bruns, Carl

GRUPE, KEHE, MUMMERT, BOTTERMAN, KIRKMAN, WARNEKE, ROHRSSEN

Posted By: BCGS
Date: 1/7/2010 at 14:50:44

Carl Bruns, a representative of a well known pioneer family of Bremer county, is connected with agricultural interests of Maxfield township as the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of choice land on section 13, a tract upon which he has made his home since 1882. He is a native son of this locality, born April 26, 1860, his parents being John and Eleonora (Grupe) Bruns, natives of Hesse, Germany, the former born June 13, 1832, and the latter February 11, 1841. The parents were among the early settlers in Maxfield township, having traveled overland with ox teams from Illinois. In Denver the father conducted the first saw mill ever erected in Brmer county and continued active in business here for many years. He is now living retired in Denver, Iowa, having survived his wife since 1907. To their union were born six children: Carl, of this review; Mrs. John F. Kehe, residing in Maxfield township; William of Jefferson townshipl; Mrs. Minnie Mumert, of Sioux City, Iowa; Herman, of Maxfield township; and Louis, who makes his home in Denver, Iowa.

Carl Bruns grew to manhood in Maxfield township and acquired his education in the district schools. His entire active life has been devoted to farming. He came to his present property in 1882 and since that time has steadily carried forward the work of its improvment, erecting modern and substantial buildings, installing labor-saving machinery and making the property second to none in the township. Besides his farming interests he is vice president of the Readlyn Savings Bank, president of the Maxfield Telephone Company and president of the German Mutual Insurance Company of Maxfield township and his ability is recognized and respected in business circles.

In Maxfield township, on March 23, 1882, Mr. Bruns was united in marriage to Miss Anna Botterman, who was born in Cook county, Illinois, January 15, 1861. She is a daughter of John and Minnie Botterman, natives of Germany, who after their arrival in America located in Cook county, Illinois, where their deaths occurred. Six children were born to their union: Mrs. Emma Kirkman, residing in the state of Washington; John, deceased; Herman, of Cook county, Illinois; Henry, a resident of Roselle, that state; Mrs. Bruns, wife of the subject of this review; and Diedrich, who resides near Waverly. Mr. and Mrs. Bruns have become the parents of four children, all of whom reside in Maxfield township, where they were born and reared. They are as follows: Mrs. Amanda Warneke, who was born January 19,1883; Mrs. Evelina Rohrssen, born April 24, 1885; John, whose birth occurred october 26, 1889; and Carl F., born December 7 1893. The parents are members of St. John's Lutheran church of Maxfield township.

Mr. Bruns gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is now serving as secretary of the board of education. He is a man of exemplary character, interested in public affairs as well as in the conduct of his personal interests - a progressive citizen whom Bremer county is proud to number among her native sons.

History of Bremer County, Iowa Vol. II 1914