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Below is a family biography included in The History of Spencer County, Indiana published by Goodspeed, Bros. & Co. in 1885.  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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ALLEN BROONER, farmer and stock-raiser, was born October 22, 1813, in Breckenridge County, Ky., and when only one year old, was brought by his parents, Peter and Nancy (Rusher) Brooner, to Indiana Territory. They located near the present site of Lincoln City, in Spencer County, and there resided many years, undergoing all the hardships and perils of frontier life. Peter Brooner was a typical pioneer, a widely known bear hunter, a hardy, resolute man and a good citizen. He died in 1855, preceded by his wife in 1818. Allen Brooner was raised by his parents to manhood. His schooling was principally obtained in a round log-cabin, wide fire-place, with stick and mud chimney, puncheon for seats, and greased paper for window lights. About 1835 he went to Illinois, where he worked around for a year and a half, when he returned to Indiana, and for one year worked at grist-milling in Warrick County. In 1838 he began farming in Dubois County, and continued there seventeen years. For the succeeding sixteen years, he farmed north of Dale, then moved to Kansas, but returned in a few months and purchased his present place which consists of eighty-four acres of good land. He is a Republican in politics, and in addition to his property already mentioned, owns a good coal bank. December 28, 1820, he married Matilda Cox, who was born October 28, 1820, in Dubois County, this State. To them thirteen children have been born, these yet living: Sarah J., Martha, Amanda, Nancy E., Hiram B., Mary A., David E., Matilda E. and Maria H. The parents belong to the United Brethren Church, of which denomination Mr. Brooner has been a local preacher forty-three years. He has occupied various positions of trust, and has always been faithful and true to the trust imposed. Mrs. Brooner is a daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Cooper) Cox, and her grandfather Cooper was Gen. Washington’s secretary during the Revolutionary war.

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This family biography is one of 344 biographies included in The History of Spencer County, Indiana portion of the book: History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties Indiana published in 1885 by Goodspeed, Bros. & Co.  For the complete description, click here: Spencer County, Indiana History and Genealogy

View additional Spencer County, Indiana family biographies here: Spencer County, Indiana Biographies

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