Herman Brunner, who was for some years president of the Peru Beer Company and a well-known citizen of Peru, was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, on the 5th of March, 1838, his parents being August and Johanna (Roth) Brunner. His father was the superintendent of iron works in Hirzenheim. Herman was the eldest of three children and acquired his education in Germany. In October, 1866, he came to America, coming direct to Peru, Illinois, where he accepted a clerkship in a store. After a short time, however, he resigned that position and became a clerk for the Peru Beer Company, with which he was connected up to the time of his death. In 1872, in connection with Andrew Hebel, he purchased the business and conducted the plant under the name of Hebel & Brunner. That partnership was maintained until Mr. Hebel died and was succeeded by his son, Andrew, in 1886. Three years later the company was incorporated and has since been known as the Peru Company. Herman Brunner at that time became its president, Andrew Hebel its secretary and treasurer, and Charles Herbold its superintendent. They built up a good business and shipped their goods to various markets.
In 1870 Mr. Brunner was married to Miss Rosa Reinhart, whose father, Professor Joseph Reinhart, is well remembered here as a music teacher of more than ordinary ability and skill. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Brunner, namely: Flora, Rose, Sidonia and Camilla. Mr. Brunner died in December, 1899, but the family yet reside in Peru.
Extracted by Norma Hass from Biographical and Genealogical Record of LaSalle County, Illinois published in 1900, volume 1, pages 231-232.
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