Elmer Robert Brunk was born September 30, 1887. His father is Zachariah Taylor Brunk (1846-1918) and his mother is Mary Narcissis Stouder (1848-1927). Elmer was born in Monterey, Jackson Township, Clermont County, Ohio. Elmer was the 6th of 7 children. He had one brother, Harry (1872-1931) and 5 sisters, Hulda (1869-1916), Mary Jane (1875-1907), Bertha (1877-1909), Laura Emma (1882-19200, and Lena Gertrude (1889-1919).
Elmer’s father was 41 years old when Elmer was born. Before 1900 Elmer’ family moved from Jackson Township to Sterling Township in Brown County. Although the township and county changed names, Elmer’s grandfather Joseph Brunk was just a few miles away in Monterey. Elmer grew up with a large family, on a farm and became a farmer.
By the age of 18 Elmer married his first wife Florence Wharton, November 25, 1905 and lived in Lebanon, Ohio. Elmer and Florence divorced. It was December 24, 1909 Elmer married his second wife Emma Shrader. Elmer and Emma lived with Emma’s mother in Norwood, Ohio. Elmer and Emma also divorced.
November 22, 1915 Elmer married Celia Mae Powell. Elmer and Celia were 28 years old when they were married. They lived in Monterey, Jacksons Township, Clermont County, Ohio where Elmer was born. Elmer and Celia had their first daughter, Elizabeth Jane in 1916.
About 1920 they moved to 2602 Ida Avenue, Norwood, Ohio. Elmer worked as a millwright for a machine company in Cincinnati until 1925. While living in Norwood, Elmer and Celia had two more children, William Stanley (1922-1992) and Doris Ann Brunk (1924-1984).
It was about 1925 that Elmer moved his family from Norwood to Pinhook, Monroe Township near Bethel, Ohio. While living in Monroe Township, Elmer had two more daughters, Boots (Margaret) M (1925-1994) and Muriel Lorrain (1927-2010).
As of 1930, Elmer and Celia were 41 years old. The ages of their children were: Elizabeth-13, William-8, Doris-6, Boots-4 and Muriel-2. Elmer and Celia also brought two additional children into their home at this time: Frank Ritter was 13 years old and his sister Bettie J. Ritter was 9 years old. The Ritter children grew up with the Brunk children and became their adopted siblings. Another child, Lucy Jane, was also adopted into Elmer and Celia’s home a few years later.
Elmer was a kind and loving father. He enjoyed playing with his children and would run and play hide and seek in there yard and barn. Elmer was also an intellectual in that he had the skill and imagination to create a project in his head and then manufacture it into reality. His work at Allis Chalmers allowed him to use his unique skill and he was able to have dozens of machine and machine parts patented through Allis Chalmers. His unique skill was not only used in his job but also at home. When the girls wanted or more so, needed a new dress, he would take the girls into Bethel and let them point out the dress they would like. Without a pattern, Elmer was able to reproduce the dress each child wanted. He would cut and sew all of the children’s clothes.
Elmer taught his children honor and bravery. In one instance, during the Flood of 1937, Elmer and two of his children took a small wooden boat out onto the flooding Ohio River at New Richmond. Dozens of people were hanging on their roofs waiting to be rescued. As they rowed their small boat to the roofs, Elmer’s children and himself pulled dozens of people into their craft. This emergency went on all day and night. Elmer’s children saw small children and adults slip away and drown. His children also saw that their exhausted efforts saved many people’s lives.
Before 1935, Elmer moved his family from Pinhook in Monroe Township closer to Bethel, an area known as Nicholsville. His children went to school at Bethel grade, middle and high school. Elmer was a blacksmith during this time and he worked 48 hours a week for 52 weeks during the year of 1939. At some point, Elmer had a serious injury where he had several fingers severed.
After the children finished school, the family moved back to Cincinnati. At some point they lived on Erkenbrecker Avenue in Clifton. They lived adjacent to the Cincinnati Zoo and the neighborhood was always in an uproar when one of the animals escaped. Generally, the animals were returned to the Zoo. It was in 1942 that Elmer and Celia were living back in Norwood.
At the time of Elmer’s passing, in 1950, he had three small grandchildren. His daughter’s and son suffered his death because he was young, at the age of 63, and he didn’t have an opportunity to enjoy his present and future grandchildren as they grew up.
by Brenda Speeg Krekeler (Elmer's granddaughter by his daughter, Doris Ann)
Elmer’s father was 41 years old when Elmer was born. Before 1900 Elmer’ family moved from Jackson Township to Sterling Township in Brown County. Although the township and county changed names, Elmer’s grandfather Joseph Brunk was just a few miles away in Monterey. Elmer grew up with a large family, on a farm and became a farmer.
By the age of 18 Elmer married his first wife Florence Wharton, November 25, 1905 and lived in Lebanon, Ohio. Elmer and Florence divorced. It was December 24, 1909 Elmer married his second wife Emma Shrader. Elmer and Emma lived with Emma’s mother in Norwood, Ohio. Elmer and Emma also divorced.
November 22, 1915 Elmer married Celia Mae Powell. Elmer and Celia were 28 years old when they were married. They lived in Monterey, Jacksons Township, Clermont County, Ohio where Elmer was born. Elmer and Celia had their first daughter, Elizabeth Jane in 1916.
About 1920 they moved to 2602 Ida Avenue, Norwood, Ohio. Elmer worked as a millwright for a machine company in Cincinnati until 1925. While living in Norwood, Elmer and Celia had two more children, William Stanley (1922-1992) and Doris Ann Brunk (1924-1984).
It was about 1925 that Elmer moved his family from Norwood to Pinhook, Monroe Township near Bethel, Ohio. While living in Monroe Township, Elmer had two more daughters, Boots (Margaret) M (1925-1994) and Muriel Lorrain (1927-2010).
As of 1930, Elmer and Celia were 41 years old. The ages of their children were: Elizabeth-13, William-8, Doris-6, Boots-4 and Muriel-2. Elmer and Celia also brought two additional children into their home at this time: Frank Ritter was 13 years old and his sister Bettie J. Ritter was 9 years old. The Ritter children grew up with the Brunk children and became their adopted siblings. Another child, Lucy Jane, was also adopted into Elmer and Celia’s home a few years later.
Elmer was a kind and loving father. He enjoyed playing with his children and would run and play hide and seek in there yard and barn. Elmer was also an intellectual in that he had the skill and imagination to create a project in his head and then manufacture it into reality. His work at Allis Chalmers allowed him to use his unique skill and he was able to have dozens of machine and machine parts patented through Allis Chalmers. His unique skill was not only used in his job but also at home. When the girls wanted or more so, needed a new dress, he would take the girls into Bethel and let them point out the dress they would like. Without a pattern, Elmer was able to reproduce the dress each child wanted. He would cut and sew all of the children’s clothes.
Elmer taught his children honor and bravery. In one instance, during the Flood of 1937, Elmer and two of his children took a small wooden boat out onto the flooding Ohio River at New Richmond. Dozens of people were hanging on their roofs waiting to be rescued. As they rowed their small boat to the roofs, Elmer’s children and himself pulled dozens of people into their craft. This emergency went on all day and night. Elmer’s children saw small children and adults slip away and drown. His children also saw that their exhausted efforts saved many people’s lives.
Before 1935, Elmer moved his family from Pinhook in Monroe Township closer to Bethel, an area known as Nicholsville. His children went to school at Bethel grade, middle and high school. Elmer was a blacksmith during this time and he worked 48 hours a week for 52 weeks during the year of 1939. At some point, Elmer had a serious injury where he had several fingers severed.
After the children finished school, the family moved back to Cincinnati. At some point they lived on Erkenbrecker Avenue in Clifton. They lived adjacent to the Cincinnati Zoo and the neighborhood was always in an uproar when one of the animals escaped. Generally, the animals were returned to the Zoo. It was in 1942 that Elmer and Celia were living back in Norwood.
At the time of Elmer’s passing, in 1950, he had three small grandchildren. His daughter’s and son suffered his death because he was young, at the age of 63, and he didn’t have an opportunity to enjoy his present and future grandchildren as they grew up.
by Brenda Speeg Krekeler (Elmer's granddaughter by his daughter, Doris Ann)
Elmer Robert Brunk was born September 30, 1887. His father is Zachariah Taylor Brunk (1846-1918) and his mother is Mary Narcissis Stouder (1848-1927). Elmer was born in Monterey, Jackson Township, Clermont County, Ohio. Elmer was the 6th of 7 children. He had one brother, Harry (1872-1931) and 5 sisters, Hulda (1869-1916), Mary Jane (1875-1907), Bertha (1877-1909), Laura Emma (1882-19200, and Lena Gertrude (1889-1919).
Elmer’s father was 41 years old when Elmer was born. Before 1900 Elmer’ family moved from Jackson Township to Sterling Township in Brown County. Although the township and county changed names, Elmer’s grandfather Joseph Brunk was just a few miles away in Monterey. Elmer grew up with a large family, on a farm and became a farmer.
By the age of 18 Elmer married his first wife Florence Wharton, November 25, 1905 and lived in Lebanon, Ohio. Elmer and Florence divorced. It was December 24, 1909 Elmer married his second wife Emma Shrader. Elmer and Emma lived with Emma’s mother in Norwood, Ohio. Elmer and Emma also divorced.
November 22, 1915 Elmer married Celia Mae Powell. Elmer and Celia were 28 years old when they were married. They lived in Monterey, Jacksons Township, Clermont County, Ohio where Elmer was born. Elmer and Celia had their first daughter, Elizabeth Jane in 1916.
About 1920 they moved to 2602 Ida Avenue, Norwood, Ohio. Elmer worked as a millwright for a machine company in Cincinnati until 1925. While living in Norwood, Elmer and Celia had two more children, William Stanley (1922-1992) and Doris Ann Brunk (1924-1984).
It was about 1925 that Elmer moved his family from Norwood to Pinhook, Monroe Township near Bethel, Ohio. While living in Monroe Township, Elmer had two more daughters, Boots (Margaret) M (1925-1994) and Muriel Lorrain (1927-2010).
As of 1930, Elmer and Celia were 41 years old. The ages of their children were: Elizabeth-13, William-8, Doris-6, Boots-4 and Muriel-2. Elmer and Celia also brought two additional children into their home at this time: Frank Ritter was 13 years old and his sister Bettie J. Ritter was 9 years old. The Ritter children grew up with the Brunk children and became their adopted siblings. Another child, Lucy Jane, was also adopted into Elmer and Celia’s home a few years later.
Elmer was a kind and loving father. He enjoyed playing with his children and would run and play hide and seek in there yard and barn. Elmer was also an intellectual in that he had the skill and imagination to create a project in his head and then manufacture it into reality. His work at Allis Chalmers allowed him to use his unique skill and he was able to have dozens of machine and machine parts patented through Allis Chalmers. His unique skill was not only used in his job but also at home. When the girls wanted or more so, needed a new dress, he would take the girls into Bethel and let them point out the dress they would like. Without a pattern, Elmer was able to reproduce the dress each child wanted. He would cut and sew all of the children’s clothes.
Elmer taught his children honor and bravery. In one instance, during the Flood of 1937, Elmer and two of his children took a small wooden boat out onto the flooding Ohio River at New Richmond. Dozens of people were hanging on their roofs waiting to be rescued. As they rowed their small boat to the roofs, Elmer’s children and himself pulled dozens of people into their craft. This emergency went on all day and night. Elmer’s children saw small children and adults slip away and drown. His children also saw that their exhausted efforts saved many people’s lives.
Before 1935, Elmer moved his family from Pinhook in Monroe Township closer to Bethel, an area known as Nicholsville. His children went to school at Bethel grade, middle and high school. Elmer was a blacksmith during this time and he worked 48 hours a week for 52 weeks during the year of 1939. At some point, Elmer had a serious injury where he had several fingers severed.
After the children finished school, the family moved back to Cincinnati. At some point they lived on Erkenbrecker Avenue in Clifton. They lived adjacent to the Cincinnati Zoo and the neighborhood was always in an uproar when one of the animals escaped. Generally, the animals were returned to the Zoo. It was in 1942 that Elmer and Celia were living back in Norwood.
At the time of Elmer’s passing, in 1950, he had three small grandchildren. His daughter’s and son suffered his death because he was young, at the age of 63, and he didn’t have an opportunity to enjoy his present and future grandchildren as they grew up.
by Brenda Speeg Krekeler (Elmer's granddaughter by his daughter, Doris Ann)
Elmer’s father was 41 years old when Elmer was born. Before 1900 Elmer’ family moved from Jackson Township to Sterling Township in Brown County. Although the township and county changed names, Elmer’s grandfather Joseph Brunk was just a few miles away in Monterey. Elmer grew up with a large family, on a farm and became a farmer.
By the age of 18 Elmer married his first wife Florence Wharton, November 25, 1905 and lived in Lebanon, Ohio. Elmer and Florence divorced. It was December 24, 1909 Elmer married his second wife Emma Shrader. Elmer and Emma lived with Emma’s mother in Norwood, Ohio. Elmer and Emma also divorced.
November 22, 1915 Elmer married Celia Mae Powell. Elmer and Celia were 28 years old when they were married. They lived in Monterey, Jacksons Township, Clermont County, Ohio where Elmer was born. Elmer and Celia had their first daughter, Elizabeth Jane in 1916.
About 1920 they moved to 2602 Ida Avenue, Norwood, Ohio. Elmer worked as a millwright for a machine company in Cincinnati until 1925. While living in Norwood, Elmer and Celia had two more children, William Stanley (1922-1992) and Doris Ann Brunk (1924-1984).
It was about 1925 that Elmer moved his family from Norwood to Pinhook, Monroe Township near Bethel, Ohio. While living in Monroe Township, Elmer had two more daughters, Boots (Margaret) M (1925-1994) and Muriel Lorrain (1927-2010).
As of 1930, Elmer and Celia were 41 years old. The ages of their children were: Elizabeth-13, William-8, Doris-6, Boots-4 and Muriel-2. Elmer and Celia also brought two additional children into their home at this time: Frank Ritter was 13 years old and his sister Bettie J. Ritter was 9 years old. The Ritter children grew up with the Brunk children and became their adopted siblings. Another child, Lucy Jane, was also adopted into Elmer and Celia’s home a few years later.
Elmer was a kind and loving father. He enjoyed playing with his children and would run and play hide and seek in there yard and barn. Elmer was also an intellectual in that he had the skill and imagination to create a project in his head and then manufacture it into reality. His work at Allis Chalmers allowed him to use his unique skill and he was able to have dozens of machine and machine parts patented through Allis Chalmers. His unique skill was not only used in his job but also at home. When the girls wanted or more so, needed a new dress, he would take the girls into Bethel and let them point out the dress they would like. Without a pattern, Elmer was able to reproduce the dress each child wanted. He would cut and sew all of the children’s clothes.
Elmer taught his children honor and bravery. In one instance, during the Flood of 1937, Elmer and two of his children took a small wooden boat out onto the flooding Ohio River at New Richmond. Dozens of people were hanging on their roofs waiting to be rescued. As they rowed their small boat to the roofs, Elmer’s children and himself pulled dozens of people into their craft. This emergency went on all day and night. Elmer’s children saw small children and adults slip away and drown. His children also saw that their exhausted efforts saved many people’s lives.
Before 1935, Elmer moved his family from Pinhook in Monroe Township closer to Bethel, an area known as Nicholsville. His children went to school at Bethel grade, middle and high school. Elmer was a blacksmith during this time and he worked 48 hours a week for 52 weeks during the year of 1939. At some point, Elmer had a serious injury where he had several fingers severed.
After the children finished school, the family moved back to Cincinnati. At some point they lived on Erkenbrecker Avenue in Clifton. They lived adjacent to the Cincinnati Zoo and the neighborhood was always in an uproar when one of the animals escaped. Generally, the animals were returned to the Zoo. It was in 1942 that Elmer and Celia were living back in Norwood.
At the time of Elmer’s passing, in 1950, he had three small grandchildren. His daughter’s and son suffered his death because he was young, at the age of 63, and he didn’t have an opportunity to enjoy his present and future grandchildren as they grew up.
by Brenda Speeg Krekeler (Elmer's granddaughter by his daughter, Doris Ann)
Gravesite Details
springgrove.org=135838.tif.pdf
Family Members
Siblings
