Brunt, Isaac W. 1868 - 1938
BRUNT, DAVIS, HARDIMAN, MERRILL
Posted By: Bill Waters (email)
Date: 4/18/2014 at 17:05:57
Isaac W. Brunt, who has been a resident of Decorah for the past two decades, was for a number of years successfully engaged in the conduct of a drug store here but since January, 1911, has acted as secretary of the American Drug & Press Association, an association of druggists and newspaper men of the United States, which manufactures toilet articles and medicinal preparations. His birth occurred at Sigourney, Keokuk county, Iowa, on the 19th of July, 1868, his parents being John M. and Mary A. (Davis) Brunt, natives of Indiana. The family has been represented in this country for more than two centuries, the first of the name coming from the south of England. John M. Brunt removed to Keokuk County, this state, in an early day and was there engaged in general agricultural pursuits, operating a farm for some years and also teaching school. He eventually became an engineer and acted as United States deputy surveyor, his work in this connection covering California, Wyoming, Nevada, Oregon, Arizona and New Mexico. Since retiring from the active work of his profession he has spent the winters in Kansas City and during the summer seasons resides with his son Isaac in Decorah. His wife passed away in 1907.
Isaac W. Brunt obtained his early education at Sigourney, Iowa, and continued his studies at Grand Island, Nebraska, while subsequently the family home was established in Lincoln, Kansas, where he was graduated from the high school. He then took up the study of chemistry in the University of Kansas at Lawrence but before completing the course was enrolled as a student in the Northwestern University at Chicago, where he was graduated in pharmacy with the class of 1893. In that year he came to Decorah, Iowa, and took charge of the drug store of C. Rudolph, in whose service he remained for one month. At the end of that time, in association with E. J. Parman, he purchased the establishment of Mr. Rudolph and successfully conducted business as senior partner of the firm of Brunt & Parman until January, 1911, when he sold his interest to his partner. He then became secretary of the American Drug & Press Association and has held that important position continuously since, proving an able and valuable official. As above stated, this is an association of druggists and newspaper men of the United States and is carried on for the manufacture of toilet articles and medicinal preparations. Mr. Brunt is interested in several other enterprises of Decorah and has always been an active factor in the work of progress and development here.
On the 10th of June, 1898, Mr. Brunt was united in marriage to Miss Netta L. Merrill, her parents being M. H. and Sarah (Hardiman) Merrill, natives of New York, who came to Decorah in an early day. Mr. Merrill first followed farming but later turned his attention to the lumber and grain business, being successfully engaged therein until 1903. The remainder of his life was spent in honorable retirement, his demise occurring in February, 1912. His wife was called to her final rest in 1893.
Mr. Brunt is a democrat in his political views and was one of the first democratic presidential electors from his district since Franklin Pierce was chosen the chief executive of the nation. His fraternal relations are with the Masons, the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Congregational church, to which his wife also belongs. They own a commodious and attractive residence at No. 504 East Water Street. In the field of commercial activity Mr. Brunt has made steady advance along substantial lines that has brought him success.
Source: History of Winneshiek County, Iowa Vol. II Chicago the S. J. Clark publishing Company 1913
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Winneshiek Biographies maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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