George M. Bronson

BRONSON, WALING, LOOMIS, HENDRICK

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 11/10/2011 at 08:54:03

GEORGE M. BRONSON, who is one of the prominent residents of Fairfield Township, Grundy County, has distinguished himself in various walks of life,--as a brave soldier in the late war, a prominent civilian and a successful agriculturist. He is an old settler of this section and has long been influential in its political and social life, and has been a potent factor in advancing its agricultural and material interests generally. He is at present residing on a fine estate on section 6, Fairfield Township, where he ranks very high in the esteem of his numerous friends and acquaintances.

Sylvester and Amanda (Waling) Bronson, the parents of our subject, were natives of the Empire State, where also Grandfather Moses Bronson was born. The latter was the son of Eli Bronson, the great-grandfather of our subject, who came from England to the United States in an early day. He first located in Maryland, and afterwards removed to New York State. He was accompanied on his removal by two brothers, Ebenezer and Elisha. The first-named located on a farm in Virginia, and Elisha was one of the pioneers of Michigan. The maternal grandparents of our subject were likewise natives of New York, and his great-grandmother was a sister to Daniel Webster.

To Mr. and Mrs. Sylvester Bronson were born seven children, two of whom died in infancy. Of the survivors, our subject was the third in order of birth, his brothers being Ulysses, Hiram R. A., Menzo J. A. and Lorenzo B. Previous to his marriage with our subject’s mother, Sylvester Bronson became the husband of a Miss Loomis, a native of New York, and to them were born two children, both of whom are deceased. He was a large land owner in the Empire State and held several township offices. In politics he was an old line Whig, and at his decease, which occurred in 1855, was a devoted member of the Baptist Church. The mother of our subject was also a member of that church, and departed this life in 1888.

George M. Bronson, of this sketch, was born in Chenango, N. Y., November 18, 1839, and there received a fair education. He was nearing his thirtieth year when, in December, 1868, he came west to Iowa. He made his home first on a quarter-section of land in Fairfield Township, Grundy County, which he disposed of in 1881, and removed to what is now his present fine estate. He was a very hard worker, and by energy and perseverance accumulating a handsome property, is to-day the proud possessor of three hundred and ninety-two acres of valuable land.

In 1860, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Maggie G. Hendrick, a native of Canada West. Mrs. Bronson accompanied her parents on their removal to Michigan when a child of three years, and received her education in Port Huron. By her union with our subject thirteen children have been born, of whom the eleven now living bear the respective names of Ida M., Charles W., Cora G., Clarence L., Pluma A., Rose B., Cyrus S., Eugene M., Edward L., Clara E. and Fred.

On the outbreak of the Civil War, our subject enlisted in the Union army and became a member of the Twelfth Battery, Light Artillery, of Wisconsin. He proved to be a most courageous and efficient soldier, and participated in the following well known engagements: New Madrid, Mo.; Ft. Henry Ky.; Shiloh, Tenn.; Corinth, Iuka, Holly Springs, Yazoo Pass, Vicksburg, Jackson, Champion Hill and Black River, all in Mississippi, and was also present at the battles of Chattanooga and Mission Ridge and accompanied Sherman as far as Marietta. With others of his battery, he was sent back to Altoon Pass and in that battle was wounded thirteen times. Notwithstanding the injuries thus received he still kept his post, and accompanied Sherman on his march to the sea and was with that General in his engagements through the Carolinas.

Mr. Bronson received his honorable discharge and was mustered out at Newberne, N. C., May 28, 1865, with the title of Quartermaster-Sergeant. He spent eighteen months in the secret dispatch service, accepting this position rather than a commissioned office. He is popular with all with whom he associates, and during his army experience gathered a never ending fund of anecdotes, and is never more interesting than when relating some story of his war experiences of life in camp and on the battle field.

Mr. Bronson ever manifests an interest in the welfare of his community and has served his fellow-townsmen as Township Clerk, Trustee, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, etc. In 1889, he was candidate for the office of Representative of Grundy County, and was defeated by only seven votes. As may be expected, he is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, being connected with New Hartford Post No. 143. Politically he is a strong Republican, and is universally conceded to be one of the wealthy and popular citizens of Fairfield Township.

Source:
Portrait and Biographical Record
of Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, Iowa
1894