1901 personal census, Gosfield South, Essex Co., ON, G3-3:
Bruner John S., M, Married, 5 April 1852, 48, born Ont, origin: German, Can, Bap[tist], Farmer;
Catherin, F, wife, 26 Feb 1856, 45, born Ont, origin: Scotch, Can, Bap;
Gladys, F, daughter, Single, 29 Jan 1880, 21, born Ont, origin: German, Can, Bap;
Eva, F, daughter, Single, 8 June 1883, 17, born Ont, origin: German, Can, Bap.
Commemorative Biographical Record of the County of Essex, J. H. Beers & Co., Toronto, 1905, p. 156-157:
John S. Bruner, one of the leading citizens of Gosfield South, an extensive farmer and fruit grower at Elm Bluff Fruit Farm, occupies the old home of his father and grandfather, belonging as he does to one of the oldest and most honorable families of this part of County Essex.
Henry Bruner, the grandfather of J. S., was born Oct. 30, 1785, and was a boy when the family settled at Cedar Creek. When he came of legal age he drew from the government Lot 8, Concession 3, consisting of 200 acres, locating on his new acquisition when John W. Wigle was his only near neighbour. The land was heavily wooded and proved very wet, requiring much drainage, and wild animals were still a menace to the farmer's stock. Soon after coming here, wolves killed his only cow. Henry Bruner built here a double log house which stood some twenty rods to the northwest of our subject's present home. Some forty years ago that house was remodeled, and it stood until some ten years ago, when J. S. Bruner tore it down to make way for improvements. In that primitive home the grandfather died and was, at that time, according to custom, interred on his own land, but some fifteen years ago his remains, with those of his wife, were removed to the Olinda cemetery. In addition to clearing his land and cultivating it, Henry Bruner officiated as a minister of the Baptist Church, and much of his time was devoted to work pertaining to his spiritual calling. He was thrice married (first) to Elizabeth Ulch; (second) to widow Tron, and (third) to widow Moody.
Peter Bruner, father of John S. Bruner, was born Aug. 2, 1819, on the present farm, and he assisted in much of its clearing, receiving as his share of the property the south half of the lot. Later he acquired the south half of Lot 7, adjoining. He continued to farm all his life until within twelve years of his death, when he moved to Leamington, living to see the whole property under cultivation. In 1851 he built the stone house, later building an addition to it, and this stanch old residence was occupied by our subject for thirty-two years, until he removed to his present modern residence.
Peter Bruner married Jane Upcott, daughter of John and Maria Upcott, the former of whom died Dec. 16, 1854, aged seventy-six years, eight months, twenty-five days, and the latter died March 1, 1848, aged sixty-one years, two months and six days. The mother of our subject died March 13, 1889, and was buried in the family lot in the cemetery at Olinda. Politically Peter Bruner was a Reformer. In church affairs he was a Baptist, and he took a very prominent part in the work of his church, giving liberally to its various charities and missions. In material affairs he was a very successful man. The children of Peter Bruner and wife were: Maria Ann married (first) Leonard J. Fox, and (second) Daniel Gorman of Leamington; Ozias died when past eighteen years old; Philetus was a farmer in Nebraska, where he died Dec. 9, 1901; he married Amelia Malott; Henry died aged eighteen years; John S. is mentioned below.
John S. Bruner was born April 5, 1852, in the old stone mansion so often referred to in the various sketches of the members of his family. After attaining manhood he came into possession of 100 acres on Lot 8, and his brother 100 acres in Lot 7. He subsequently bought his brother's property and then owned the 200 acres of his father's farm. It is a matter of record that there has never been a cent of indebtedness placed against the 400 acres of land owned by the sons of Peter Bruner.
In 1888 Mr. Bruner first became interested in the fruit industry, which he has since continued to pursue, and has become one of the extensive growers of the country. His apple orchard, containing seven acres, is wonderfully productive, as is also his thirty-acre peach orchard, fine peaches being his specialty. He also grows plums, pears and other fruit. In addition to carefully attending to this industry, with the assistance of his son Gurnsey, he carries on general farming, and also, during the past year, raised some $2,000 worth of tobacco. The visitor can see little to improve about Mr. Bruner's fine grounds and surroundings, but he himself is not yet satisfied, and each year finds more and better buildings, and still more attractive lawns and gardens. His commodious three-story residence would do credit to a city, and it is vastly comfortable, being supplied with modern conveniences, furnace heat and running water. Mr. Bruner was one of the organizers of the Erie Tobacco Company, and was its manager during its first two years of business. Politically he is independent, and fraternally he is a Forester and Odd Fellow, belonging to the lodges at Ruthven.
In 1872 Mr. Bruner was married to Catherine E., youngest daughter of Charles Stewart, Sr., and to them were born these children: Mary Luella, born Nov. 22, 1873, married Wellington W. Wigle, a dentist in Detroit, and they have children, John Dayton, born Aug. 18, 1898; Lila, Oct. 5, 1900; Elizabeth, March 12, 1902; and Beatrice, Feb. 20, 1903. Peter Charles, born March 29, 1876, is a rising young dentist located at Vancouver, B.C.; he married Mary Bonham, of Ridgetown, Ont., and they have one son, Preston. Gurnsey Carlisle, born March 3, 1878, married Daisy Fox, and is engaged with his father in operating the home farm. Gladys Nellie, born Jan. 29, 1881, and Eva Blanche, born June 8, 1884, are at home. Mr. and Mrs. Bruner and two of their daughters belong to the Leamington Baptist Church.
Mrs. Catherine E. (Stewart) Bruner was born in the township of Mersea, Feb. 26, 1856, daughter of Charles (Jr.) and Mary (Whittle) Stewart, natives of Pennsylvania and the County of Essex, respectively, granddaughter of Charles Stewart (Sr.) and great-granddaughter of James Stewart.
James Stewart, father of Charles Stewart, Sr., was born in Scotland and came to America about 1775. He came out as a soldier, belonging to the regiment known as the Black Watch, the 42nd Highlanders. He was married in Virginia to Peggy Brown, a Scotchwoman, and they afterward moved to Greene County, Pennsylvania, where they raised a family, Charles Stewart, Sr., being their youngest child.
Charles Steward, Sr., was married in
Pennsylvania to Jane Findley, and they afterward moved to Essex County, Ont., settling in Mersea township. They raised a large family of whom Charles Stewart, Jr., was the second one.
Charles Stewart, Jr., married Mary Whittle, a native of Essex County, who died Aug. 9, 1885, aged seventy-five. Charles Stewart, Jr., died at the home of Mrs. Bruner, Sept. 9, 1893, aged ninety-three. They were members of the Baptist Church. To this union came the following children: Jane, deceased wife of John Hetherington; Elizabeth, deceased wife of Alexander Quick; Margaret, deceased wife of William Long; Clarissa, deceased wife of Wells Morley; Charles, deceased, who married Victoria Wilkerson; Mary, deceased wife of Jesse Brown; Malinda, wife of George Jeffery, of Mersea township; Tabitha, who died aged eleven years; Olive, deceased, who married James McQueen; Eliza Ann, widow of John Thompson, of Mersea township; Thomas, a farmer of Mersea township, who married Martha Jeffery; James who died when three years old; and Catherine E., Mrs. Bruner.
Eva Blanche
Bruner
Peter Charles Bruner 1876-
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