PETER BROONER
Page 390
PETER BROONER
Page 390
 PETER BROONER. A lifetime of earnest endeavor in pursuing his chosen calling, coupled with strict integrity honesty of purpose and liberality, has tended to place Mr. Brooner among the highly honored and successful agriculturists of Salt Creek Township, Mason County, where he is now living retired on his fine estate, comprising three hundred and twenty-five acres on sections 14, 22 and 23. He is a native of this county, having been born in the above township, April 7, 1838. Ephrain Brooner, the father of our subject, was born in Warrwick County, Ind., and came to Menard County, this state, in 1829, at which time he located near Old Salem. After a short residence there he came to Mason County, where his death occurred at the age of thirty-three years. His wife, who prior to her marriage was Miss Mary Greenway, was born in 1811 in Kentucky, but was reared to womanhood in the Hoosier State. After the death of her husband Mrs. Brooner married Reason Virgin and died when sixty-seven years of age. Peter, of this sketch, was the youngest son in his parents' family of eight children, three of whom grew to mature years and are still living. He was three years of age when his father died, and he remained with his mother until attaining his eighteenth year, when he began life for himself by working out on farms by the month. He was thus employed for a period of thirteen years, when, in 1864, he began the cultivation of a farm of his own. The lady who became the wife of our subject, September 8, 1873, was Miss Mary E., daughter of David Swing. She was born in Clermont County, Ohio, December 23, 1847, which was also the birthplace of her father. The latter was a carriage-maker by trade, at which he worked in Cincinnati for fourteen years. Later he purchased a farm in Clermont County which he cultivated until removing here in 1868. His wife, the mother of Mrs. Brooner was, prior to her marriage, Miss Lucy Greenway, who was born in the Blue Grass State in 1819. Her parents removed to Indiana when she was a babe of twelve months, and there she acquired her education and lived until 1837, when she came to this county. After a residence here of five years she returned to Ohio, and made her home in that state until 1868, when we again find her in this county. She is still living, and resides in Mason City. Mrs. Broomer is the oldest of seven children included in the parental family, and is a twin of Joseph, who is now deceased. Soon after his marriage our subject located on his present fine estate, and being an industrious man his diligence and perseverance soon transformed the raw prairie into rich and fertile fields. By his union with Miss Swing he has become the father of six children, of whom Marietta and three who were unnamed are deceased. Those living are Hattie T. and Dora E. As stated in our opening paragraph Mr. Brooner is the proud possessor of three hundred and twenty-five broad acres which he has placed under the best methods of improvement. He now rents his property, and from the income thus received is enabled to take life easy. He is actively interested in everything that pertains to the welfare of his town and county, and is a prominent worker in the ranks of the Democratic party. His life has been an honorable and upright one, and his sterling worth and many excellencies of character have gained him the high regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact. |