IowaJones/Biographies/J. A. Bronson

J. A. Bronson–C. M. Brown

James A. Bronson
Born January 25, 1825

JAMES A. BRONSON, the founder of Wyoming, Jones Co., Iowa; was born January 25, 1825, in Arcadia, Wayne Co., N.Y.; he is the son of Thomas Bronson and Nellie A. Calkins; his father was son of Capt. Ezra Bronson, of Danbury, Conn., and was born in 1793, at the old Bronson homestead in Danbury; his mother was a native of Putnam Co., N.Y., and was born in 1794; he was a local preacher in the M.E. Church, and carried on a small farm, he was a man of rare probity and deep piety, a good neighbor, kind father and useful citizen; his wife, now living. was his worthy helpmeet for nearly half a century. The subject of this sketch has two brothers-Samuel M. who is a M.E. clergyman, and now laboring in Minnesota; Bushnell K. is a retired merchant, and is living near his farm in Floyd, Iowa. James A. Bronson spent his youth and early manhood amid rural scenes and the rugged duties of farm life; when 11 years of age, he, with his parents, removed to Genesee Co, where he remained until 1852; the county was soon afterward divided, and his home was thereby located in the new county of Wyoming, in memory of which this city, his Western home, was christened. On the 1st day of January, 1852, at East Pike, Wyoming Go., N.Y., he was married to Miss Henrietta Sartwell, who died at Maquoketa, Iowa, November 25, 1854, leaving one child—Charles S., who died March 4, 1860. Mr. Bronson's first mercantile venture was in 1852, at Belfast, Allegany Co., N.Y., where he continued about two years, until his removal to Iowa; in 1855, he laid out the town of Wyoming, Jones Go., in connection with his brother, B. K. Bronson, and C. J. Marsh. both of whom subsequently withdrew from the enterprise, which he carried on, single-handed, with energy and ability; he immediately built a store, and began the foundation of his present extensive establishment, which comprises all departments of mercantile business; he has been active and liberal in securing railroad facilities, and in promoting all other public improvements; he was appointed the first Postmaster of the town, and retained the position many years. He was married at Binghamton, N.Y., December 5, 1860, to Miss Jennie Van Benschoten, who died June 4,1868, leaving three children—John Dillon, born August 27, 1863; Arthur J., born August 16, 1866, and Ralph E., born February 26, 1868, who died September 4, 1868. Mr. Bronson has been a member of the School Board many years; has held the various township offices and the mayoralty of Wyoming, but has never sought or desired political preferment. He is a consistent Republican, and, during the rebellion, was a liberal supporter of all measures necessary for the defense of thc nation and perpetuity of the Union, and he had occasion to decline honorable positions in the service of the United States Government. On the 20th of April, 1871, at Mount Vernon, Iowa, he was married to Miss Mary Camp, who died October 31, 1877, leaving two children—Rowena Eloise, born May 31, 1873, and George G., born November 30, 1874. His oldest son, John Dillon, is in Cornell College, at Mount Vernon, Iowa; the other three children are at home. Mr. Bronson is still the largest real-estate owner within the city limits. Since 1855, Mr. Bronson has been actively identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church; is present Superintendent of the Sabbath school, and several church edifices bear testimony to his liberality; he is a Director in the bank, and he is considered a safe counselor in all financial enterprises; honorable and social, with a spotless record, he stands a true representative of the successful man.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 599.

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Dr. William W. Bronson
Born June 10, 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.

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

C. M. Brown
Born 1851

C. M. BROWN, attorney at law, Anamosa; is a native of Iowa and was born in Jackson Co. in 1851; his parents removed to Dubuque Co. when he was quite young, and lived there until he was 14 years of age, and came to Jones Co., in 1865; he received a good common-school education and entered Cornell College, at Mt. Vernon, and graduated from that institution in 1875; he studied law and graduated from the Law Department of the Iowa State University in 1877; after graduating, he located in Anamosa, and since then has practiced his profession here. He holds the office of City Clerk. He was united in marriage to Miss Kate Stewart, a native of Ohio, June 30, 1875; they have one daughter.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 651.

C. W. Brown
Born March 13, 1854

C. W. BROWN, of the firm of Brown & Boman, harness-makers, Monticello; is a native of Delaware Co., Ohio, and was born March 13, 1854; when 13 years of age, he came to Clinton Co., Iowa, and learned the trade of harness-maker at Wheatland; he came to Monticello and associated with, G. A. Boman August 1, 1878, and since then they have carried on the business here, and, by industry and close attention to business, they are building up a good trade.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 660.

Charles M. Brown
Born September 26, 1854

(paraphrased) Charles M. Brown, Sec. 12, Monticello Twp., Jones Co., farm. He was born 9-26-1854, Hendricks Co., IN. His father, George W. Brown, was born in IN and was the son of Isaac Brown. George lived in Wayne Twp., Jones Co., 1855-1875, before returning to IN and remaining there until 1889. He married Maria Conroe, daughter of A. Conroe, and they had 2 children, the firstborn being Charles M. Charles was “deprived of the care of his mother when quite young”. He remained on the home farm until reaching his 17th year. In 1878, Charles married Henrietta Stone, the daughter of his former employer Curtis Stone. They had 4 children—Elsie M., Viola S., George C. and Charlie Burton.

From Portrait and Biographical Record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton Counties, Iowa Chapman Publishing Co, Chicago, 1894.