Information from Dorothy Glen, Wright, Larabee, Crawford, Hammond, RootsWeb WorldConnect Project.
Commemorative Biographical Record of the County of Essex, J. H. Beers & Co., Toronto, 1905, p. 501-502:
Reuben Bruner, an esteemed resident of Gosfield South, County of Essex, is probably one of the most venerable citizens of this locality, belonging to one of the old families.
In early days three youths, George, Adam and Henry Bruner, accompanied their widowed mother to the County of Essex, and lived for a time on Grosse Ile. Later, when their mother married a Mr. Tofflemire, the family removed to Cedar Creek, and there the lads were reared. Of these, George was the father of our subject. Adam began farming at Olinda, but soon returned to Cedar Creek. Henry was the grandfather of J.S., Amon and Wellington Bruner, sketches of whom will be found elsewhere. A sister, Susan, married Jonas Fox.
George Bruner, like his brothers, was born in Pennsylvania. When he located in Gosfield township on his own responsibility, he settled on Lot 21, Concession 5, a government tract of 200 acres, cut the first timber on it, and built his first rough log cabin about ten rods north of our subject's current home. Later he built a two story hewed log house, which was torn down some ten years ago. He was obliged to pay a double tax on this house, as he had indulged in the comfort of a double row of windows. George Bruner lived in this home during his life, and saw much of his land cleared. In 1828 he sold fifteen acres to the Furnace Company, the plant of which was operated until around 1840, much of the surrounding land being cleared to supply charcoal. Mr. Bruner died May 12, 1834, aged fifty-seven years. He married Elizabeth Tofflemire, daughter of Martin Tofflemire, who came here from Kentucky, although he lived originally in Pennsylvania. Mrs. Bruner died in 1868, aged eighty-four years. The children born to them were the following: Eve died in infancy; Mary, who died aged eighty years, married (first) John Reaves, and (second) William Wood; Martha, wife of Thomas Boyles, of Amherstburg, died aged eighty-one years; Lazarus married Ann Skinner, and died in 1838; Ruth married Benjamin Slater and died in Gosfield; Abraham married Mary A. Mickle, and lived on a part of the homestead; Susan was the second wife of the late Benjamin Slater; and Rachel was the third wife of Benjamin Slater; Reuben; Isaac died aged two and a half years; Nancy married George Foster, and at the time of her death lived in Romney; Elizabeth married Thomas Corlett, and lived in Gosfield.
Reuben Bruner was born March 23, 1823, on the place where he grew to manhood and received his education. In his early years he was engaged in the business of getting out wood for the furnace. When he attained manhood, he came into possession of a part of the homestead, receiving eighty-five acres as his portion. He did much of the necessary clearing, and lived in the hewed log house until after his marriage, when he built his present brick house.
In 1848 Mr. Bruner married Jane Fox, daughter of George Fox, who died in February, 1899, aged seventy-four years. They had these children born to them: Milton G., born April 20, 1849, of Olinda, married Marshy Webster, born July 6, 1851; Marvin L., married Amanda Routain, and they had children, Clara, Melvin (of Manitoba), Hattie and Elva; Adorah, born April 12, 1854, married James Chissam, of Glencoe, and they have children, Mabel, John and Martin; Eliza J., born April 3, 1856, married John Latam, in Mersea, and they have children, Golden, Maxwell, Oliver, Mahlon, Ada, Reuben, John and Jacob; Oliver M., born Jan. 18, 1859, lives with his father and carries on the farm, owning also a farm in Mersea township, and he is also engaged in the broom industry, making as many as 1,000 dozen a season; he married Ella Towns, of Ohio, and they have children, Leona, born Dec. 15, 1890; Reuben S., born May 17, 1892; Elda, born March 13, 1894; Viva, born Dec. 6, 1895; Ida Murial, born Nov. 1, 1897; Carl Demorest, born April 23, 1900; and Irene, born Nov. 30, 1902; and Ruby A., born June 26, 1862, married Wellington Stotz, of Gosfield North, and they have children, Murray, Lottie and Pearl.
Mr. Bruner has passed his life engaged in agriculture, and has given attention to broom-making during inclement seasons on the farm. This industry he learned when eighteen years of age, and he is probably the oldest broom manufacturer in the Dominion. The factory is located on the farm, and the business in later years has been carried on in association with his son. The farm is a productive one, and in addition to the usual crops, tobacco and fruit are grown.
In politics Mr. Bruner has always been a Liberal. He served through one year in the council, declining the honor after that. For a long time he was one of the stockholders of the Ruthven Woolen Mill, and he served as one of the directors for nine successive years. In religious belief he is a Universalist, and served as a director of the General Convention until the infirmities of age prevented attendance. Although advanced in years, Mr. Bruner keeps himself employed both bodily and mentally. He takes a deep interest in public affairs and local improvements, and his memory of long-past times is very remarkable.
George
Bruner
Eve Bruner †
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