Brennamans - History of

BRENNAMAN, KRIDER, JENNINGS, STREET

Posted By: Mary H. Cochrane, Volunteer
Date: 7/19/2019 at 06:58:58

History of the Brennamans
"Reflections of Grand River, Iowa 1881-1981"
Clarke Pub. Co. Osceola IA. 1981.

My grandfather Henry (Harry) Brennaman and his wife, Esther Krider Brennaman, daughter of Peter and Betsy Krider, were pioneers, coming to Iowa from Blair Co., Pa., in the year 1853. They came by boat to the Mississippi River where they purchased wagons for the remainder of the journey. They settled with their five children - Peter, Mary, Sarah, Blair and Rolland - in Decatur Co., Iowa, and remained there the rest of their lives. My grandmother died in 1872, and my grandfather located east of the present school building. One half acre in the N. W. corner of this farm was given to the town on which to build the first schoolhouse which was erected in 1876.

My father, Blair Brennaman, son of Harry, grew to manhood in this community and married Mary Emma Jane Jennings, daughter of David and Alvina Kelly Jennings who had migrated to the vicinity from Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, and settled on a farm one-fourth mile south of town.

My parents farmed two and one half miles N. W. of the site of Grand River until 1908 when they retired and built a house on the Jennings' place.

Both lived to be over eighty years, beloved and well respected citizens. My parents and grandparents are buried in the Young Cemetery east of Grand River.

Based on known records, I am the seventh generation of the Brennaman family, directly descended from one Melchior Brennaman of Swiss Descent who was imprisoned in the castle of Thun in Switzerland in 1659 because of his religion (Mennonite.) He escaped into Germany. His sons eventually came to the New World and settled in Swiss colony in Lancaster co., Pa.

Because Melchior Brennaman, (b. in 1632) stood like a rock while the flood of terror, intolerance and prejudice swirled around him and because his wife stood by his side with steadfast loyalty, I am able to say with pride, "My ancestors participated in the forming of the American nation."

Blair Brennaman has sixty-seven known descendants, but only two people bearing the Brennaman name remain to carry on the name of this particular branch: Martin Brennaman and Rick Brennaman of Tulsa, Oklahoma. They are great grandson of my father: I am June Brennaman Street.

Children - Spouses
Esther, 1881-1899
Florence, 1883-1960 m. John Madison
Irwin, 1885-1975 m. 1st Carrie Edwards m. 2nd Margaret Bright
Jessie, 1891-1979 m. Homer Griffin
Margaret, 1895 m. Arthur Baker
June, 1909 m. Zell Street

Copied from Reflections of Grand River, Iowa 1881-1981 by Stacey McDowell Dietiker, May 17, 2001