Chatham County GaArchives Biographies.....Brunner, William F. 1858 - living in 1913
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 October 15, 2004, 12:17 am

Author: William Harden
p. 655-656

   WILLIAM F. BRUNNER, M. D. Other men's services to the people and state can be
measured by definite deeds, by dangers averted, by legislation secured, by
institutions built, by commerce promoted. The work of a doctor is entirely
estranged from these lines of enterprise, yet without his capable, health-giving
assistance all other accomplishments would count for naught. Man's greatest
prize on earth is physical health and vigor. Nothing deteriorates mental
activity as quickly as prolonged sickness—hence the broad field for human
helpfulness afforded in the medical profession. The successful doctor requires
something more than mere technical training—he must be a man of broad human
sympathy and genial kindliness, capable of inspiring hope and faith in the heart
of his patient. Such a man is Dr. William F. Brunner, city health officer of
Savanah, whose successful career has been due to the possession of innate talent
and acquired ability along the line of one of the most important professions to
which a man may devote his energies.

   Dr. Brunner was born in Savannah in 1858, the son of C. W. and Frances
(Haupt) Brunner, both of whom are now deceased. They were both natives of South
Carolina, the father's birthplace having been Beaufort. He was a merchant by
occupation and located in Savannah previous to the inception of the Civil war,
subsequently taking an active part in the many-sided life of the municipality
and enjoying general respect.

   Dr. Brunner received an excellent education in private schools in this city
and as a student hrLocust-Dale- Academy, Madison county, Virginia. He studied
medicme in the medical department of the University of Georgia, from wliie'h. he
was graduated with the class of 1877 and then spent the following year in
post-graduate work in the medical department of the University of the Ciljy of
New York. At that time (1878), yellow fever was epidemic in Niew Orleans,
Memphis, Vicksburg, and other sections of the lower Mississippi valley and Dr.
Brunner immediately after discontinuing his studies in New York went to the
heart of the yellow fever district and offered his services to the Howard
Association. He was immune, having had yellow fever in the Savannah epidemic of
1876. He began active work in Vicksburg, but a short time later went to the town
of Lake, Mississippi, and took vigorous charge of the situation there, which was
very serious, almost every person, including ministers, who was able to travel,
having deserted the stricken town. He remained at Lake with a staff of nurses
under his charge, doing all he could to alleviate the suffering, curing all
cases possible and preventing the spread of the fever as far as possibly could
be done with the means at hand and the panicky state of the populace. His work
in this epidemic attracted the attention of the United States health officials,
and Dr. Brunner was given a position on the Marine Hospital service of the
United States, on the South Atlantic Coast, being engaged in the maritime
quarantine service at that time for about four and a half years.

   In April, 1888, Dr. Brunner was elected health officer of Savannah and after
nine years in that position, resigned, and again entered the United States
marine hospital, this time being assigned to duty at Havana, Cuba, where he had
a staff of physicians and surgeons under his charge. He remained in that
position until a short time before the occupation of Cuba by the United States,
in 1898, being ordered out from Washington at that time. He then was assigned to
duty in inspecting army camps at Tampa and other places in the South, and also
at Montauk, Long Island. In September, 1898, he again joined his station at
Havana and remained there until July 1, 1899, when he received an invitation
from the city of Savannah to again become its health officer, which he accepted,
entering his old duties again in that month, and has remained in that position
ever since. His efficiency and success as an expert in preventative medicine and
as a public health official are widely known and recognized; and his services
are greatly appreciated by the citizens of Savannah. He is one of the most
distinguished physicians, not only of Savannah, but of the entire South and his
repute extends far and wide in the profession. He has never been a general
practitioner, it will be seen, but has ever been engaged on special duty. The
County, State and American Medical associations claim his membership.

   Dr. Brunner, on December 14, 1883, was united in marriage to Miss Florence
Richardson, of Savannah. They share their home of renowned hospitality with four
children, namely: Florence Charlton, Albert Wylly, Frances L. and Ruth.



Additional Comments:
From:

A HISTORY OF SAVANNAH AND SOUTH GEORGIA
BY
WILLIAM HARDEN

VOLUME I
ILLUSTRATED
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY
CHICAGO AND NEW YORK
1913

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