Pg 517

         ANDREW BROCKERT, a pioneer of Louisa County of 1840, residing on section 27, Elliott Township, is a native of Bavaria, Germany, born in 1821. His parents, Philip and Eva (Stinebuck) Brockert, came to America in 1834, leaving our subject and three other members of the family at home on account of not having money enough to pay their passage. The parents first settled in Pennsylvania, where they lived for a few months, and then became residents of Richland, Ohio, making it their home until the fall of 1838, when they removed to Pickaway County, Ohio, and there resided until the fall of 1841. Their next place of residence was in Auglaize County, Ohio, where the death of the father occurred in 1854, at the age of seventy-one, the mother departing this life in 1871, at the very advanced age of one hundred years. This worthy couple were members of the Catholic Church, and reared a family of five children: George; our subject; Joseph, who is living in Ohio; John Philip, also a resident of the Buckeye State; and Mary, wife of Jacob Foltz, of Ohio.

When seventeen years of age, in 1838, our subject, who had been left in Germany by his parents on their emigration to America, set sail for this country, going directly to Ohio after reaching this country. He engaged as a farm hand in that State for two years, and then, in 1840, came to Louisa County, locating on section 27, Elliott Township, where he has since resided, and is now the owner of 117 acres of arable land, all under a fine state of cultivation. He began life as a farm hand, but step by step has worked his way up, and has now a comfortable competency. He did not even have a knowledge of the English language on his arrival in America, but with characteristic determination soon mastered it, and is now one of the well-informed and intelligent men of the county. He patiently bore the trials and privations of pioneer life until success crowned his efforts, and now as an honored pioneer and worthy citizen he receives universal respect.

On the 4th of March, 1843, Mr. Brockert wedded Elizabeth Miller, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Isaac Miller. They are now the parents of eight living children: Nancy J., wife of Michael Mellinger, a resident of Winfield, Iowa; Maria E., who wedded David Steel, of Elliott Township, this county; John P., who is engaged in farming in Mercer County, Ill.; George E., whose home is in Decatur County, Iowa; Sarah C., wife of Joseph Gregg, of Sheridan County, Kan.; Jacob, whose home is also in that State; Marcus R., at home; and Mary M., wife of Dean De Harpert.

Marcus, the seventh child of Andrew and Elizabeth (Miller) Brockert, was born in Louisa county in 1858, and now has charge of his father’s farm, managing it with ability, and with an energy which characterizes all his actions. Politically, he affiliates with the Republican party, and is one of Louisa County’s coming young men, who has the respect of his neighbors and a large circle of friends.