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Dr. William W. Bronson
Born 10 June 1876


Dr. William W. Bronson, a veterinary surgeon residing at Wyoming, enjoys an extensive and lucrative practice in this connection and is a prominent representative of the profession in Jones county. He was born in Wyoming, on the 10th of June, 1876, his parents being James W. and Augusta M. (Brainard) Bronson, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively. The paternal grandfather, Rev. Asahel Bronson, whose birth occurred in Connecticut, November 3, 1807, was a son of Ezra Bronson, of Tolland, Connecticut, but later of Fairfield and Danbury. The latter was drafted at the age of sixteen and became a soldier in the war of the Revolution, for many years acting as captain of the militia at Danbury. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Anna Knapp, was a resident of that place. In 1857 the Rev. Asahel Bronson, having secured a transfer from the Wyoming conference of the Methodist Episcopal church in New York to the Upper Iowa conference, took up his abode in Wyoming, Jones county, Iowa. His labors as a minister of the gospel proved effective and far reaching and he lived to attain the remarkable age of ninety-eight years, passing away August 8, 1905. In early manhood he married Philena Horton White, who was born March 19, 1820, and died July 4, 1904.
James W. Bronson, the father of Dr. W. W. Bronson, was born in Westchester, New York, June 20, 1842, and was a lad of fifteen years when he came with his parents to this county. In 1861 he enlisted in Company K, Twenty fourth Iowa Infantry, and served until the close of hostilities between the north and the south. The following is an extract from an obituary appearing in one of the local papers at the time of his demise: "He was not only mustered out with an honorable discharge but with a certificate from Chaplain Martyn of Christian character to admit him into membership of any Evangelical church. Said the chaplain to one much interested: 'I bring this young man back one of the few young men who have gone through this war pure and undefiled.' What a great record that was before God and man!" Soon after the close of the war James W. Bronson took a course of medical lectures at Iowa City. Owing to delicate health he did not finish his studies, but was engaged for twenty-five years or more as a veterinarian, in which profession he was quite successful. In 1867 he wedded Miss Augusta M. Brainard, by whom he had two sons, Benjamin and William W. His death, which occurred suddenly on the 19th of October, 1898, was deeply mourned not only by the members of his immediate family but also by a large circle of relatives and friends. He was a man of keen intellect and was, moreover, noted for his brilliant oratorical powers. Upright and honorable in all the relations of life, he abhorred shams of every kind and his word was as good as any bond ever solemnized by signature or seal. He was a valued and honored member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Pen Paul Post, G.A.R., both of which organizations passed resolutions of respect and condolence at the time of his demise.
Dr. W. W. Bronson was reared under the parental roof and supplemented his preliminary education by a course in the Wyoming high school, from which he was graduated with the class of 1895. In early manhood he took up the study of veterinary surgery under the preceptorship of his father and in the fall of 1896 entered the Chicago Veterinary College, attending that institution for one school year. He then returned home and in the fall of 1899 became enrolled as a student in the McKillip Veterinary College of Chicago, there remaining for a year. In 1901 he again entered the Chicago Veterinary College and following his graduation in 1902 he returned to Wyoming and took up the practice of his profession. In 1903 be was employed by the government as meat inspector at St. Paul, Minnesota, but with the exception of that year has been continuously engaged in the practice of veterinary surgery at Wyoming and is widely recognized as a prominent and successful representative of the profession in his native county.
In 1900 Dr. Bronson was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Franks, of Wyoming, by whom he has two sons, Howard and William. His political allegiance is given to the men and measures of the republican party, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, with which his wife is also identified. He belongs to Keystone Lodge, No. 206, F.&A.M., and likewise has membership relations with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. In whatever sphere of life he is found he is always the same honorable and honored gentleman and enjoys in unlimited degree the respect and confidence of his fellowman.

Source: History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 174.

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