D. R. Brenneman

    D. R. Brenneman is the son of Abram and Elizabeth (Rush) Brenneman, who were born, reared and married in Pennsylvania and emigrated to Clark County, Ohio, and then, five years later, moved to Champaign County, where they remained until 1850, when they came with their children to this township, where they purchased 160 acres of land. There the mother died in 1866, and the father, subsequently retiring to Columbia City, died here in 1876. They had a family of twelve children, as follows: John, who was a prominent politician and who served as Sheriff two years, died in 1864; Barbara Sterling, deceased; Catharine, wife of I. B. McDonald; D. R., our subject; Abram, living in Kosciusko County; Elizabeth Obenchain, deceased; Mary, deceased; Henry died from effect of wounds received while in battle at Pittsburg Landing, with his regiment (Forty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry) when he had been in the service about one year; Fanny Schwartz, living in Iowa; Isaac; Levi, a carpenter in town, and Benjamin F., in the grocery trade.

    Our subject was born in Pennsylvania, Lancaster County, in 1829, and came with his parents to this State in 1850; remained with his father one year, and then went to farming in Washington Township, where he remained till 1880, when he retired to this city. He still owns 100 acres highly cultivated land in Washington, the acquisition of his own industry and enterprise. In 1882, he associated with him his brother Isaac, and engaged in the sale of musical instruments and sewing machines, handling the Patterson, Estey and Shoninger organs; the Fisher, Steinway and Decker pianos and the Queen sewing machine.

    He was married in 1852 to Miss Caroline Plough, a native of Montgomery County, Ohio. She died in 1873, leaving five children -William, Sarah A., Isaiah, Henry, and Lydia E. In 1874 he married Mary E. McFarren, of this county, and from this union there is one child living -Florence. Both Mr. and Mrs. Brenneman are members of the Baptist Church, and he is a highly esteemed and valued citizen.

    Isaac Brenneman, brother of our subject was born in Champaign County, Ohio, in 1854, and came her with his parents. He remained on the farm till twenty-one, and in 1864, enlisted as private in Company A, Thirteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry; fought at Fort Fisher, and served till the war closed. On his return he engaged in a saw-mill in this township; worked five years; then ran his father's farm two years; then came to Columbia City; engaged in various mercantile pursuits, and is now partner with his brother, D. R. as dealer in musical instruments, etc. He was married in 1868, to Maggie Schwartz, a native of Stark County, Ohio and is the father of one child -Erlo O.

Source: Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana, Historical and Biographical. Weston A. Goodspeed, Charles Blanchard, 1882. Page 240.