BIOGRAPHY - AUGUST BRUCKER
August Brucker has since 1890 resided upon his present farm which at the time of his purchase comprised one hundred and sixty acres. In the years which have since elapsed he has added to his possessions until he is now one of the extensive landowners of the county and one of its most prominent agriculturists. With him the possession of wealth indicates a life of well directed industry and unfaltering perseverance, the careful utilization of his opportunities and the ability to adjust himself to circumstances.
Mr. Brucker is a native of Tazewell county, Illinois, born February 27, 1861, his parents being Gotlieb and Catherine (Clabe) Brucker, who were natives of Germany. They came to America about 1848 and settled in Tazewell county, where they were identified with farming interests. Following a later removal to Livingston county, Mr. Brucker there purchased land and for a long period carried on general agricultural pursuits, meeting with success in his undertakings but at length he retired. He died in Cropsey, May 22, 1908, at the age of seventy-six years. His family numbered nine children, namely: Adam; August, of this review; Henry; Annie, the wife of Jacob Huppert; Caroline, the wife of John Stein; Charley; Emma, the wife of Ernest Lange; John; and Elizabeth, the wife of Henry Sutter.
The public schools afforded August Brucker his educational privileges although his opportunities in that direction were somewhat limited. When he attained his majority he began farming on his own account, renting land for this purpose. For eight years he continued to cultivate leased land and eventually purchased one hundred and twenty acres of improved land, for which he paid fifty dollars per acre. It was with genuine pleasure that he located upon this farm, knowing it to be his own, and for some years he continued its improvement and development. He then sold it and in 1890 he purchased the place upon which he now resides, comprising one hundred and sixty acres, for which he paid forty-seven dollars per acre. It was also improved to some extent. As the years passed he has added to the property from time to time until he now owns in all nine hundred acres, costing from forty-seven to one hundred and fifteen dollars per acre. Today it is worth on an average of one hundred and fifty dollars per acre and upon it are good improvements. He and his sons cultivate the entire amount and all are men of untiring industry and commendable energy.
Mr. Brucker was married on the 8th of November, 1882, to Miss Mary E. Steine, a daughter of Henry and Christina (Burlett) Steine who were natives of Germany. They came to America in 1868, settling in Livingston county, where Mr. Brucker engaged in farming. In 1881 he removed to Ford county, where his remaining days were passed, his death occurring November 24, 1904. He left a widow and five children, as follows: Mary E., now Mrs. Brucker; John; Fred; Elizabeth, the wife of Charles Brucker; and Henry.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Brucker has been blessed with twelve children and the record is a notable one in that the family yet remains unbroken by the hand of death. The children are as follows: Henry, William, George, John, Albert, Edward, Catherine, Alice, Charley, Arthur. Ida and Oscar.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Brucker are members of the Evangelical church of Sibley and he gives his political support to the republican party. He has, however, never sought nor desired office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business affairs. He is a representative of the best type of American manhood and chivalry. By perseverance, determination and energy, he has overthrown the obstacles which barred his path to success and reached the goal of prosperity. He is widely and favorably known throughout his part of the state and his record should serve to encourage and inspire others, showing what can Ix; accomplished if one but has the will to dare and to do.
Extracted 16 Oct 2016 by Norma Hass from History of Ford County, Illinois, From Its Earliest Settlement to 1908, author E. A. Gardner, Volume 2, pages 489-491.
