Biography - Francis M. Bruner
FRANCIS M. BRUNER. He is the the President of Abingdon College, and is the son of Henry and Matilda (Claycomb) Bruner, of Kentucky. He was born in Breckenridge County, KY on 28 Dec 1833. When about one year old he moved with his parents to Warren County, IL , locating on a farm where he attended the country schools until 19 years old. The first school he attended was three miles or more from his home. His father attended the same school, carrying his son behind him on a horse. President Bruner gives his father credit for giving him the best part of his education in the persevering, industrious habits which he cultivated in him under the arduous labors and trials of pioneer life. At the age of 19, he entered Knox College where he spent 5 years and graduated in 1857. He earned about $400 teaching, received more from his father, married and went to Germany where he spent nearly two years in the Royal University at Halle on the Sarle in Prussia. He became proficient in the German language. He visited Berlin, and went to Paris where he spent five months acquiring the French language and hearing lectures on botany, physiology, anatomy, zoology, anthropology etc. He then went to London and then home, after three years absence. On returning from Europe he labored as an evangelist for about four years and was then ordained Elder in the Christian Church in Monmouth, IL, where he preached five years, then resigned and became President of Oskaloosa College, in Oskaloosa, Iowa. He then returned to Monmouth and preached, and 24 July 1877 he accepted the Presidency of Abingdon College. In 1863, he he was appointed Captain of Company A, 7th US Colored Infantry, doing much service in the South. He resigned due to ill health. He was elected to the Legislature from Warren County in 1866 and was married to Miss Esther Lane on 1 Apr 1858, a graduate of Knox College. He made a profession of faith in Christ at the age of 14 and united with the Christian Church. He is a Republican.
Contributed by Joan Achille, extracted from the 1878 History of Knox County, Illinois, published by Charles C. Chapman
