Son of John Brunton and Susannah Stropes

The Pilot, Blair, Nebraska September 9, 1925
Z. T. Brunton passed peacefully away at about 3 o'clock last Thursday afternoon at the Lord Lister hospital, in Omaha, where he was taken August 24th for an operation on his leg, but was found unadvisable because of kidney trouble. He had been unconscious for about three days before the end came. The body was brought here the same day and the funeral service held at the Christian Church 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon, Rev. L. H. Camp, officiating. The services were largely attended, he being a pioneer resident of the county and so well known. He was a member of the Ku Klux Klan having some thirty-two brother members attend the service in robes and hoods, conducting the burial service at the cemetery. Zachariah Taylor Brunton was born in Jackson County, Ohio, November 13th, 1848, so was almost 77 years of age. He came to this state in the fall of 1869 and was married to Mary Frances Carter, December 23rd, 1874, whose death occurred a few years ago. Fifteen children were born to them, eight girls and seven boys, of who ten are now living, Warren, Mrs. J. T. Allen, vanola, and Mrs. Elsworth Gustin of this city, William of Craig, Neb., Palmer of Florida, Arthur of Centralia, Wash., Rufus of Kelso, Wash., Mrs. Raymond McConnell of Tenino, Wash., and Clarkson of San Mateo, California. There are twenty-two grandchildren. He is also survived by one brother, Rufus, of Portsmouth, Ohio. Mr. Brunton will be remembered first for his interest in and Loyalty to the Christian Church, he united when a youth in Ohio. He was a charter member of both the church at Kennard and here in Blair. He has held almost every office in the church organization and was an honorary deacon at the time of his death. He was not only faithful to his Master and his church but to his town and nation, being first a good, clean citizen and was always ready to help any moment for the uplift and good of the community. He stood rigorously for law enforcement and was a constable at the time of his death. The bereaved family have the sincere sympathy of many friends.