Burton Brunson, a member of the county council for Jay
County and one of the best known and most substantial farmers and land
owners of Jackson Township, living at his pleasant home on rural mail route
No. 3 out of Bryant, was born in that township, a member of one of the
pioneer families of Jay County, and has lived there all his life.
Mr. Brunson was born on July 5, 1874, and is a son of Albert and Minerva J.
(Rooney) Brunson, both of whom were born in Ohio, the latter in Greene
County, whence came so many of the early settlers of Jay County, and of whom
further mention is made elsewhere in this work. Albert Brunson was born in
Montgomery County, Ohio, and when twelve years of age came with his parents,
Timothy and Sarah (Jones) Brunson, to Indiana, the family settling in 1857
in Jackson Township, this county, and early becoming recognized as among the
useful and influential members of that community. The Brunson’s are of
English descent and of old Colonial stock, Timothy Brunson’s father having
been a soldier of the Revolution, took part in the battles of Bunker Hill
and Lexington, suffered with others of the patriot army during the dreadful
winter at Valley Forge and was with Washington at the battle of Brandywine.
Albert Brunson grew to manhood on the home farm in Jackson Township,
receiving his schooling in the neighborhood schools, and was living there
when the Civil War broke out. In 1864 he enlisted in response to the call
for ninety-day service and was attached to Company B of the 138th regiment,
Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which be served until mustered out in the
following September. Upon his return from the army he resumed his place on
the farm and lived there until his marriage in 1867, after which he made his
home on a rented farm in that same neighborhood, the place on which his son
Burton is now living, and presently bought the place, continuing to make
that his place of residence the remainder of his life, his death occurring
on July 6, 1920.
Mr. Brunson was a good farmer and
became the owner of a half section of land, which he had developed in
admirable shape. He was an earnest: Republican, long regarded as one of the
leaders of that party in Jackson Township, and for twenty years served the
public as justice of the peace in and for his home township, as Squire
Brunson being widely known for the justice of such rulings as he was called
upon to make m his magisterial capacity. Squire Brunson and his wife were
the parents of five children, those besides the subject of this sketch being
Josephine, Harry, of whom further mention is made elsewhere, Jennie and
Essie, the last named of whom died on February 2, 1894.
Burton Brunson was reared on the home farm in Jackson Township and received
his schooling in the neighborhood schools. From the days of his boyhood he
was helpful in the labors of the farm, and after his marriage rented a
portion of the home place from his father and established his home there,
the place on which he has since resided. He now owns 160 acres in that
township and has an admirably equipped farm plant, his operations being-
carried on in accordance with modern methods. Mr. Brunson is a Republican
and is the present member of the county council from his district. He is a
Freemason, a member of and the present senior warden of the local lodge of
the Free and Accepted Masons at Bryant, and is a past master of the local
grange of the Patrons of Husbandry. On September 8, 1894, Burton Brunson was
united in marriage to Myrtle Sisk, daughter of J. L. and Anna (Lucas) Sisk,
of this county, and to this union were born seven children, all of whom are
living, save lrma, who died in 1910, the others being Wayne, Merle, Milo,
James C., Anna Irene and Willard. Wayne Brunson married Cora Rupel and has
three children, Lillian, Clyde and Richard. Merle Brunson married Hazel
Jones and has two children, Helen Marie and James Edmond. Milo Brunson
married Ethel Dysom and has one child, a daughter, Mary. Mrs. Myrtle Sisk
Brunson died on June 4, 1921. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church and had ever taken an interested part in the work of the church. The
Brunson’s have a delightful home and have hospitably participated in the
promotion of the community's social activities.
Biographical & Historical Record of Jay County, Indiana
Lewis Publishing
Company, 1887
Transcribed by Jim Cox
Buried in Maplelawn Cemetery