BRUNER, Howard Edwin, Acadia Parish, Louisiana
Submitted for the LA GenWeb Archives by Mike Miller


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Louisiana:  Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, 
Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), pp. 295-296.  Edited by Alcée Fortier, Lit.D.  
Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association.

Bruner, Howard Edwin, attorney-at-law, Crowley, Acadia parish, La., was born in 
Acadia (then St. Landry) parish, La., Aug. 4, 1881; son of Edwin O. and Lena 
(Hampton) Bruner, the former of whom was born in St. Landry (now Acadia) parish, La., 
Sept. 23, 1859, and the latter in Greenville, Ala.  Both parents are now living and 
the father occupies the position of Louisiana state commissioner of agriculture.  
The paternal grandfather, Francis J. Bruner, was a native of the state of Virginia, 
and came to Louisiana previous to the Civil war, while yet a young man.  He located 
in what is now Acadia parish, and followed the vocation of a planter.  His wife's 
maiden name was Lyons, and they were married while living in that part of the state 
of Louisiana.  The wife died during the Civil war.  Edwin O. Bruner, father of the 
subject of this sketch, was educated at Pontiac, Ill., and following his graduation 
returned to Louisiana and was shortly afterward married.  He was long engaged in 
agricultural and mercantile pursuits at Rayne, Acadia parish, and is at this time 
interested in these properties.  He served the people of his locality during 21 years 
as a justice of the peace and 6 years as a representative in the Louisiana state
legislature.  Following the death of Col. Schuler, in 1911, he was appointed to fill 
the vacancy thus occasioned as commissioner of agriculture and immigration, and upon 
the expiration of the term for which he was appointed, in April, 1912, he was elected 
to succeed himself for a term of 4 years, and is now incumbent of that office.  
Howard Edwin Bruner was the only child born to his parents.  In boyhood he attended 
the schools of Convent and Rayne, and later Acadia college, at Crowley.  In 1899 he 
matriculated at Louisiana state university, and graduated with the degree of
B. A. in the class of 1903.  In the autumn of the same year he entered the law 
department of Columbia university, New York City, and did post-graduate work in 
political science.  He received his M. A. degree in 1905 and LL. B. degree in 1906.  
Previous to his graduation, in May, 1906, he took the bar examination before the New 
York State bar examiners, and was admitted to practice in the State of New York.  
Following his graduation and return home, he was examined by 2 district judges and 
admitted to practice in Louisiana.  
Shortly following this, he began the practice of law at Crowley, in 1906, in 
partnership with Judge Robert Montgomery.  This first professional association 
continued during 2 years, and was terminated only because of the removal of Judge 
Montgomery to Virginia.  Mr. Bruner then formed a partnership with Shelby Taylor, but 
this continued only a few months following which he practiced alone until Oct., 1912,
when the present law firm of Medlenka & Bruner was formed.  This firm represents some 
banks, and other important clients, and enjoys a substantial and thriving legal 
practice.  Mr. Bruner is affiliated with the democratic party, and has filled the 
position of district attorney through appointment by Gov. Sanders.  He has served 
the municipality of Rayne, where he resides, as a member of the city council during 
some years, and as city attorney since the time of his admission to the bar.  Though 
living at Rayne, Mr. Bruner 's law firm has offices at Crowley.  He is a member of 
the M. E. church, South, and is affiliated with the Masonic order and the Woodmen of
the World.  In 1905 Howard Edwin Bruner was married to Miss Elizabeth Stewart, of 
Greenville, Ala.  Mr. and Mrs. Bruner have 1 daughter, Elizabeth, born 1906.

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