ANDREW J. BRUBAKER, of the firm of C. Brubaker, confectioner, at No. 101 Stephenson street, Freeport, Ill., is a native of Pennsylvania, born near Mt. Joy, Lancaster County, March 1, 1844. His father, R. K. Brubaker, who was born in the same State and county, is a farmer. The mother was Elizabeth (Secrist) Brubaker, and she also was a native of Lancaster County. They are both descendants of old German families. Mr. Brubaker and family moved to Stephenson County in 1851, spending the first year in Freeport, and then moving to a farm in Lancaster Township, upon which they resided until the father’s death, which occurred Dec. 30, 1880. He left a wife and nine children, seven boys and two girls – Abraham, John, Andrew J., Jacob, Benjamin, Daniel, Rudolph; Maria, married to David Ebersold, and Elizabeth, the wife of Joseph Shoemaker, of Stephenson County.

Andrew J. Brubaker was reared on the farm and remained there until fifteen years of age, during which time he attended the common schools of his neighborhood. At the age of fifteen years he began to serve an apprenticeship of three years to a candy maker. After completing his apprenticeship he formed a partnership with his father under the firm name of R. K. Brubaker & Son, and engaged in the grocery and confectionery business, which partnership continued for three years, at which time he sold his interest, and engaged in the wholesale tobacco business with W. A. Youngman. This partnership existed two and a half years, when the business was closed up and Mr. Brubaker took a trip west, locating in Sioux City, Iowa, where he worked by the day, and at the end of a year his employer started him in the confectionery business, which he conducted until 1871. Having accumulated some means, he then returned to Freeport and embarked in the ice business with his brother-in-law, J. R. Smith, and continued thus occupied until 1879, when the firm purchased of J. D. Differbaugh his fruit and confectionery business, and carried on the business until 1885, when the members of the firm divided the goods. Mr. Smith chose the ice business, and Mr. Brubaker the fruit and confectionery business, in which he is at present engaged, manufacturing candy for the wholesale and retail trade. Included in his establishments are handsome ice cream and oyster parlors, which are well patronized by the best citizens of Freeport.

Mr. Brubaker was married, in June, 1864, to Miss Catherine Bollman, the second daughter of George and Fanny Bollman. They have seven children, five boys and two girls. Mr. and Mrs. Brubaker are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which Mr. B. is Class-Leader and Steward. Politically, he is a Republican.

Contributed by Carol Parrish from Portraits & Biographical 1888 Stephenson Co IL Pg 216-17