Gustave Bruell Biography


	This biography is from "Memorial and biographical record; an illustrated
 	compendium of biography, containing a compendium of local biography,
	including biographical sketches of prominent old settlers and 
	representative citizens of South Dakota..." Published by G. A. Ogle & 
	Co., Chicago, 1899. Pages 557-558

	Scan, OCR and editing by Maurice Krueger,mkrueger@iw.net, 1998. 

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GUSTAVE BRUELL. The farming community has an able representative in the 
gentleman whose name heads this personal history. He is one of the 
successful general farmers of Spink county, and his home is located on 
section 2 in Redfield township. His property is one of the finest in 
the county, and evidences his thrift and energy, supplemented by his 
honesty. He is held, in the highest esteem by all who know him. 

Our subject was born in Prussia, Germany, November 21, 1842, and was 
the eldest of a family of five children born to August and Caroline 
(Welkisch) Bruell. His family is remarkable for longevity. His mother 
died two years ago, while his father is still living and enjoys good 
health. His parents came to A~nerica about 1864. The grandfather of our 
subject, Count Von Bruhl, was a Saxon, but on account of interstate 
wars his estates were confiscated and he was forced to leave his own 
country, change his name and live a quiet life in Prussia. He had two 
sons and three daughters, our subject's father being the eldest son. 

When nineteen years of age Gustave Bruell, to avoid army service in his 
own country, came to America and joined his taunt in LaSalle county, 
Illinois. After one month, although coming to this country to avoid 
forced military service, he enlisted for the Civil war in Company I, 
Fourth Illinois Cavalry. After serving six months he was injured by the 
fall of a horse and was discharged. The same day he enlisted in the 
United States navy, and served first on the gunboat ironclad Cairo, 
which was blown up by a torpedo at the battle of Vicksburg. The crew 
escaped, and was assigned to the Forest Rose. Our subject was engaged 
at Nashville, Fort Henry, Donelson, Island No. 10, Fort Pillow and 
Memphis, and after a year and a half of mounted service was mustered 
out in 1863. He returned to Illinois, and although his health was 
impaired he engaged at farm work. He went to Watertown, South Dakota, 
in March, 1880, with three horses, two cows, a wagon and about sixteen 
dollars in money. He located a mile and a half from Redfield, on Turtle 
creek, where the supply of water would be abundant, and engaged in 
general farming. He has four hundred acres, half under plow and half 
fenced for pasture, and keeps about fifty head of milch cows. Mrs. 
Bruell has charge of the dairy business, and furnishes butter by 
contract to patrons in Redfield, and the household expenses have been 
de" frayed in this manner since living in South Dakota. 

Our subject was married in 1871 to Miss Martha Meyers, a native of 
Illinois. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bruell: William 
F., LL. D., is a rising young lawyer of Redfield, and attorney for the 
Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Company; Charles E., residing at 
home; Lillie M., now Mrs. Hagaman; Albert; and Carrie. The family is 
well known for their genuine hospitality, and their home is pleasant, 
and open to their many friends. Our subject has been a central figure 
in his township since its organization, and served as chairman of the 
township board until 1898, and been almost constantly on the school 
board. In 1898 he was elected commissioner for the third district. He 
is a member of the G. A. R. In political sentiment he is a Populist, 
prohibitionist, and opposes equal suffrage.