My Genealogy Hound

RUFUS BRUNSON. At a time when the present thriving village of Benton Harbor existed only as a dream in the minds of a few enthusiasts, Mr. Brunson came to the present site of the place and, purchasing property here, embarked in business as a nurseryman and fruit-grower. Since that time his history has been that of the town, and he has prospered with the prosperity of the place and gained influence with its growth. It may easily be understood that he is deeply interested in the progress which it has already made materially and socially, and his active assistance may always be relied upon in projects originated on its behalf.

Born in Elkhart County, Ind., June 24, 1833, the subject of this notice is the son of Sterne and Sarah (Shank) Brunson, natives respectively of Ontario County, N. Y., and Pennsylvania. On his father’s side, Mr. Brunson traces his ancestry to England, and the family was early represented in Connecticut, where Grandfather Reuben Brunson was born. On the home farm in Elkhart County, Ind., our subject grew to a sturdy and vigorous manhood, acquiring a practical education in the “temples of learning” in the neighborhood, but spending his time principally in aiding his father in the work of developing and improving the land.

At the age of twenty-two years, Mr. Brunson came to the present site of the village of Benton Harbor, where he purchased seventy-six acres, running from the corner of the present water basin to Brittain Avenue, and from there eighty rods east. On this place he planted orchards of peaches, pears and small fruits, and at the present time raises fruits on as large a scale as anyone in the county. Three and one-half acres are planted to the very finest kinds of strawberries, which he raises extensively and ships principally to Chicago. He has made of his business a science, studying closely how to secure the best results from every acre of ground, and keeping abreast with every advance in the domain of horticulture. The lady who on the 18th of June, 1861, became the wife of Mr. Brunson was Miss Sara J. Stotts, of Lima, Ohio. She is the daughter of Jacob Stotts, a native of Hancock, Ohio, who went to Australia in 1855, and has since resided there. In 1891 he returned to America and visited Mrs. Brunson at Benton Harbor. Three children were born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Brunson: Sterne, who resides in Chicago; Zoradia and Alvin H., who are at home with their parents. In their religious belief Mr. and Mrs. Brunson are Universalists, and hold membership in the church of that denomination at Benton Harbor. Politically, Mr. Brunson gives his influence and ballot to the principles and candidates of the Republican party, of which he is a firm adherent.