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Below is a family biography included in History of Allen and Woodson Counties, Kansas by L. Wallace Duncan and Chas. F. Scott, published by Iola Register, 1901.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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ADAM F. BRENNER, who follows farming in Neosho Falls township, Woodson County, was born in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, on the 8th of April, 1843. His father, John F. Brenner, was a native of Prussia, and was married in that country ere he crossed the Atlantic to the new world in 1840. He located in the Keystone state and there reared his family of six children, three of whom are now living.

The eldest surviving member of the family is Adam F. Brenner who spent his youth in his native state and was educated in the common schools, after which he learned the carpenter’s trade, which he followed until the inauguration of the Civil war. He was married on the 22d of March, 1863, to Miss Ester Croyler, a native of Pennsylvania, and on the 26th of February, 1864, he bade adieu to his bride and enlisted in the service of his country, as a member of Company I, Fifty-fourth Pennsylvania Infantry. He participated in many hard fought battles, including the engagement of the Shenandoah Valley, on the 15th of May, 1864, New Market, Winchester, September 19; Fisher Hill, September 22; Cedar Creek, October 19; Petersburg, April 2, 1865, and the battle of High Bridge, in Virginia, where he was captured just three days before the surrender of General Lee. He was never wounded by a gunshot but was badly injured in an engagement and yet suffers therefrom. On the 31st of May, 1865, the war having ended, he was mustered out and returned to his home.

Resuming work at the carpenter’s trade, Mr. Brenner followed that pursuit until 1871. On the 9th of October, 1865, he arrived in Kansas City, Kansas, and in 1870 he came to Woodson County, where he purchased eight hundred acres of land on Turkey creek, remaining there for 22 years. On the expiration of that period he came to his present farm, a half mile north of Neosho Falls, purchasing one hundred acres of rich bottom land, on which he is now extensively engaged in raising wheat and corn. He also handles hogs and to them feeds all of his corn crop. He has made most of the improvements upon his place, has erected two large and substantial barns, and has added all the accessories which are today regarded as necessary to a first-class farm.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Brenner has been blessed with twelve children, six of whom are yet living; Fred and George, who are residents of Iola, Kansas; Henry, at home; Clara, wife of Charles Garrett, of Woodson County; Belle and Minnie, who are still with their parents. Sarah Jane and Lizzie have passed away. In his political affiliation, Mr. Brenner is a stalwart Republican, and says he votes as he shot. He certainly was a loyal soldier and is no less faithful to his duties of citizenship in times of peace. Political preferment however, he does not covet, and his attention has been given to his business affairs in a way that brings him a splendid return for his labors. Although he came to Kansas with little capital he is now one of the substantial citizens of Woodson County, a good property being the substantial evidence of his labor.

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This family biography is one of 204 biographies included in History of Allen and Woodson Counties, Kansas by L. Wallace Duncan and Chas. F. Scott, published by Iola Register, 1901, Iola, Kansas.  For the complete description, click here: Woodson County, Kansas History and Genealogy

View additional Woodson County, Kansas family biographies here: Woodson County, Kansas

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