Carroll County, Indiana - 1916 History
Alfred H. Brewer
Specific mention is made in this volume of many enterprising business men of
Carroll county, and of these men who have been successful in the pursuit of
business, Alfred H. Brewer, a well-known shoe merchant of Delphi, Indiana,
deserves a high rank. He has passed his entire life of more than half a century
within the borders of Carroll county, and in his business, though aggressive,
has nevertheless been conservative at all times, and has combined mature
judgment with everyday common sense. Mr. Brewer well merits the respect and
esteem accorded to him, not only by the patrons of his business, but by the
citizens of Carroll county generally.
Born in Adams township, Carroll county, Indiana, November 12, 1860, Alfred H.
Brewer is a son of Jesse and Elizabeth (Briney) Brewer, who were natives of the
Hoosier and Buckeye states, respectively. Jesse Brewer was reared principally at
Lagro, Wabash county, Indiana. He came to Carroll county when a young man and
engaged in farming, owning a farm first in Adams township. He afterwards owned
land in Jefferson township, and finally in Tippecanoe township. He died on the
old home farm in Tippecanoe township, at the age of sixty-nine years; his widow
survived him about two years, being seventy-four years old at the time of her
death. Both were earnest and faithful members of the Christian church, of which
he was an elder and prominent in all its affairs. He served as county
commissioner at one time, discharging his duties in a very capable and efficient
manner. His first wife was Miss Holloway, and to this union were born four
children, Isaac, Aaron, John and Mahala. By his second marriage, to Elizabeth
Briney, there were three children born: Alfred H., with whom this narrative
deals; George W., of Rochester, Indiana, and Francis M., of Tippecanoe township.
The paternal grandfather of Alfred H. Brewer was Israel Brewer, who was a
soldier, in the War of 1812. He was a pioneer in Miami county, Indiana, and died
there comparatively early in life. Among his children were, Martha, Cynthia and
Jesse. His maternal grandfather was Henry Briney, who married Sarah Harless,
both natives of Darke county, Ohio, who, sometime after their marriage, removed
to Adams township, Carroll county, Indiana, where they entered land and
established a pioneer home in the wilderness. Here they lived the remainder of
their lives, the grandfather dying at the age of sixty-six, and the grandmother
some years later. Among their children were, Elizabeth, Perry, Aaron,
Washington, Alfred, Louisa, Henry, Jeremiah and Thomas.
Alfred H. Brewer was reared on his father's farm and lived at home with his
parents until he had reached his majority, in the meantime attending the
district schools and the high school at Delphi. After leaving school, in 1880,
Mr. Brewer began clerking in the shoe store which he now owns, and worked
continuously in this store until March, 1911, when he purchased the store. He
carries a large and up-to-date stock of boots and shoes, and enjoys a large and
lucrative patronage in Delphi and vicinity.
On the 1st day of June, 1886, Mr. Brewer was married to Katie Sonnenfeldt,
now spelled Sonfield, the daughter of John and Catherine (Assion) Sonnenfeldt,
and to this union has been born one son, Harry S., who is clerking in his
father's store. Harry S. Brewer married Laura M. Thompson, of Monticello,
Indiana, and they have one son, Harold H. Mrs. Alfred H. Brewer is a native of
Delphi, having been born on the same lot where she is now living. Her parents
were natives of Germany, her father having come from Saxony and her mother from
Alsace-Lorraine. Her father died in 1889, but her mother is still living, at the
age of eighty-two years. They were the parents of five children, Adeline, John
H., Louise, Catherine and Emma.
It is doubtful if there is any citizen now living in Carroll county who is
more prominent in Masonic circles than Alfred H. Brewer. He is a member of Olive
Lodge No. 48, Free and Accepted Masons; of Delphi Chapter No. 21, Royal Arch
Masons; Delphi Commandery No. 40, Knights Templar, and of Murat Temple, Nobles
of the Mystic Shrine, at Indianapolis. Mr. Brewer is also prominent in the
Knights of Pythias order, being a member of Delphi Lodge No. 80 and of the
Uniform Rank. He is a past chancellor and represented the Delphi lodge in the
grand lodge. Harry S. Brewer was deputy grand chancellor for a time, but
resigned. Mr. and Mrs. Brewer are members of the Presbyterian church.
Politically, Mr. Brewer is a Democrat, and for some years served on the Delphi
school board.
Aside from the shoe store of which Alfred H. Brewer is proprietor, he is a
stockholder and director in the Great Western Canning Company, of Delphi, and is
a director in the local building and loan association.
History Of Carroll County Indiana, Its People, Industries and Instititions by John C O'Dell -
With Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Many of the
Old Families - Illustrated (1916 - B. F. BOWEN & COMPANY, Inc. - Indianapolis, Indiana)
|
