My Genealogy Hound

ALLEN BRUNSON, a member of the well-known firm of Hovey & Brunson, proprietors of a carriage repository and dealers in horse-furnishing goods and agricultural implements at Benton Harbor, Mich., is a native of Elkhart County, Ind., born October 21, 1837. His father, Sterne Brunson, was originally from the Empire State, born in Cayuga County, but was a pioneer of Indiana, purchasing Government land within two miles of the present city of Elkhart.

In the year 1857 Sterne Brunson and family moved to Benton Harbor, where he purchased about two hundred acres of good land, which is now the site of Benton Harbor. He was instrumental in projecting the building of the Benton Harbor Canal, which was named Brunson Harbor, and which afterward, after many local fights and Legislative acts, with much cost to Mr. Brunson, was changed to Benton Harbor. He was a very public-spirited man and took a prominent and substantial part in the development and improvement of Benton Harbor. The canal, which has been of inestimable value to Benton Harbor, was his idea principally, and his means were liberally advanced to get it in its present condition. For some time Mr. Brunson was associated with Martin Green, who stood shoulder to shoulder with him in all enterprises for the improvement of the city. Mr. Brunson was one of the foremost men of Benton Harbor, and in his death, which occurred in April, 1876, the city lost one of its most influential citizens. Honored and respected by all, he left a host of warm friends.

Mrs. Brunson, whose maiden name was Sarah Shank, was born in the Keystone State, but when a girl went with her parents to Indiana. Later, she came to Benton Harbor, and there the closing scenes of her life were passed, her death occurring in 1879. Five children were born to her marriage, four sons and a daughter. Allen Brunson, the fourth child in order of birth, passed his youth in Elkhart, Ind., and secured a good practical education in the common schools. After removing with his parents to Benton Harbor, he was for a time engaged in fruit-raising, but he subsequently laid out in lots the land his father had purchased, and sold several acres of this.

In 1862 he formed a partnership with J. L. Winans and engaged in the hardware business, the firm being known as Brunson & Winans. A few years later Mr. Winans sold his interest to Guy Johnson, father-in-law of our subject, and the firm title was changed to Brunson & Johnson, thus continuing for several years. After quitting the business, Mr. Brunson turned his attention to farming and followed this successfully for five years. In 1892 he formed a partnership with William C. Hovey, under the firm name of Hovey & Brunson, and they are dealing quite extensively in horse-furnishing goods and agricultural implements, etc., beside which they have a carriage depository. Their place of business is in Oakwood Block, on Pipestone Street, and being men of energy and integrity, they are extremely popular in trade circles. Mr. Brunson has ever taken a deep interest in the building up of the town and has been, and is, a liberal contributor to all laudable enterprises.

February 1, 1858, our subject was married to Miss Mellissa Johnson, of Elkhart, Ind., and the daughter of Guy Johnson. One child has been born to this union, Ida, who is the wife of Mark Wood. A Republican in his political views, Mr. Brunson has ever advocated the principles of that party. He served one term as Alderman and has held other positions of note. Socially, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is the only surviving charter member in this vicinity of Benton Harbor Lodge No. 132, A. F. & A. M.