BRUNNER, GEORGE W.

BRUNNER, VOELKER, MORRILL

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 5/20/2004 at 15:51:34

Biography reproduced from page 149 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

George W. Brunner, who has been successfully engaged in the jewelry business at Whittemore for the past sixteen years, also discharges the duties devolving upon him in the capacity of postmaster, to which position he was appointed on the 7th of October, 1909. His birth occurred in Perth county, Ontario, Canada, on the 20th of February, 1863, his parents being Jacob and Dorothy (Voelker) Brunner, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father emigrated to the United States in 1832, locating in Canada, where he purchased land which he cleared and improved and in the cultivation of which he was busily engaged until 1872. In that year he came to Iowa and bought one hundred and sixty acres of improved land near Marble Rock, Floyd county. As his financial resources increased, owing to his untiring industry and capable management, he augmented his holdings by additional purchase until at one time he owned an entire section of land. In 1893 he put aside the active work of the fields and took up his abode in Marble Rock, where he lived retired until called to his final rest in October, 1906. His widow, who has now attained the age of seventy-eight years, makes her home in Los Angeles, California. They reared a family of fifteen children, all of whom are still living except Frank, who died at the age of twenty-nine years.

George W. Brunner began his education in Canada and continued his studies in the high school at Marble Rock, Iowa, also pursuing a course in the Cedar Rapids Business college of this state. After putting aside his text-books he went to Rockford, Iowa, where for two years he was engaged in business in association with his brother as a dealer in agricultural implements. He then rented his father’s farm and for about three years devoted his attention to its operation. Subsequently he made his way to Winona, Minnesota, and there learned the watchmaker’s trade. In 1896 he came to Whittemore, Iowa, and embarked in the jewelry business, in which he has continued to the present time with excellent success. He owns the business block in which his establishment is located and also has an attractive and commodious residence in Whittemore. He is likewise a stockholder in the Whittemore Elevator Company and well deserves recognition among the substantial and representative citizens of the county.

On the 12th of March, 1892, Mr. Brunner was united in marriage to Miss Stella Morrill, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Morrill, both of whom are natives of Maine. They came to Iowa at an early date, locating in Floyd county, where Mr. Morrill purchased and improved a tract of land, devoting his attention to its operation until 1894. In that year he took up his abode in Greene, Butler county, where both he and his wife still reside. He has been honored by election to the office of mayor and has twice served as chief executive of that town. Mr. and Mrs. Brunner are the parents of two children, namely: Arnold O., a youth of nineteen, who acts as assistant postmaster at Whittemore, Iowa; and Milford, who is two years old.

Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Brunner has loyally supported the men and measures of the republican party. On the 7th of October, 1909, he received the appointment of postmaster at Whittemore and has held the office to the present time, discharging his duties in connection therewith in a most able and satisfactory manner. He has served as a member of the school board for ten years and the cause of education has ever found in him a stanch champion. His fraternal relations are with the Knights of Pythias, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belongs. His entire life has been guided by the most honorable principles and his self-reliance and unfaltering industry, combined with his integrity, constitute the salient features in his prosperity.