Clemens Brüning [Bruening], 1899 Biography

BRUENING, ARTS

Posted By: David Reineke (email)
Date: 5/1/2006 at 19:40:20

I translated the following biography from Der Carroll Demokrat, a German-language newspaper published in Carroll, Iowa, between about 1874 and 1920. It was originally published in a special 25th Anniversary Edition of the paper on Friday, 20 September 1899. Information in brackets and notes at the end are my own explanations. It reads as follows:

Clemens Brüning [Bruening]

The bearer of this name is among the oldest pioneers in Carroll County. He was born on 14 February 1830 in Lengerich, Hanover, Germany. After successfully completing school, he learned the cabinet-maker’s trade, and after his mother died in 1848 he immigrated to America with his father and two sisters. The family settled near Hazel Green, Wisconsin. Mr. Clemens Brüning made his way to Joe Davis County [perhaps Jo Daviess County, Illinois] and worked there at his trade. He was also employed in the lead ore mines in Galena. Returning again to Wisconsin, he married the respected Miss Maria A. Arts. He then devoted himself to farming for 12 years. In 1865 he traveled to Idaho, California, and Oregon, and he returned back home the next year, bringing with him a considerable number of diamonds. In 1869 he and Mr. Arts each purchased a section of land in Wheatland township [Carroll County, Iowa], which he brought under cultivation the next year. In 1875 he moved to Arcadia and opened a general merchandise store. He sold it in 1879, and he and his sons became businessmen in the new town of Breda, where they still conduct a business dealing in commercial goods, hardware, furniture, lumber, machinery, produce, cattle, and coal. In 1893, he sold the farm and invested his money in town property. In 1894 he built a large brick business building. His dear wife died on 21 October 1895. In the two fire disasters of 7 September 1897 and 6 April 1898, the Brüning family suffered heavy losses.