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- REV. ALLEN BROONER, farmer and stock-raiser, was born October 22,1813, in Breckenridge County, Ky., and when only one year old, was brought by his parents, Peter and Nancy (Rusher) Brooner, to Indiana Territory. They located near the present site of Lincoln City, in Spencer County, and there, resided many years, undergoing all the hardships and perils of frontier life. Peter Brooner was a typical pioneer, a widely known bear hunter, a hardy, resolute man and a good citizen. He died in 1855, preceded by his wife in 1818. Allen Brooner was raised by his parents to manhood. His schooling was principally obtained in a round log-cabin, wide fire-place, with stick and mud chimney, puncheon for seats, and greased paper for window lights.
About 1835 he went to Illinois, where he worked around for a year and a half, when he returned to Indiana, and for one year worked at grist-milling in Warrick County. In 1838 he began farming in Dubois County, and continued there seventeen years. For the succeeding sixteen years, he farmed north of Dale, then moved to Kansas, but returned in a few months and purchased his present place which consists of eighty-four acres of good land.
He is a Republican in politics, and in addition to his property already mentioned, owns a good coal bank.
December 28, 1820, he married Matilda Cox, who was born October 28,1820, in Dubois County, this State. To them thirteen children have been born, these yet living: Sarah J., Martha, Amanda. Nancy E., Hiram B., Mary A., David E., Matilda E. and Maria H.
The parents belong to the United Brethren Church, of which denomination Mr. Brooner has been a local preacher forty-three years. He has occupied various positions of trust, and has always been faithful and true to the trust imposed.
Mrs. Brooner is a daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Cooper) Cox, and her grandfather Cooper was Gen. Washington's secretary during the Revolutionary war.
On Dec 28, 1897, 70 of the friends and relatives of the Rev Allen Brooner and his wife, met at their home one mile east of Dale, Ind., to celebrate the 60th anniversary of their marriage. Father Brooner is in his 84th year and Mother Brooner is in her 77th year. He was a playmate of Abe Lincoln in their boyhood at Lincoln City. He related the following to the writer, which may be of interest to some.
"At the time of Grandma Brooner's sickness, Lincoln's mother visited her. At least Grandma told her she was going to die. Mrs. Lincoln said 'don't talk that way for I may die before you.' Sure enough, she died 2 weeks before. They lay beside each other inside the same railing at Lincoln City. Father Brooner visited Lincoln while he kept post office in Illinois. A woman brought some postage stamps and after she had gone Lincoln discovered that she had given him 5 cents too much. Early next morning he walked over 2 miles to give back the 5 cents.
All present enjoyed themselves and were delighted to see father and mother Brooner so cheerful and hopeful of the bright future. May their pathway up to glory be one of praise and delight, is the prayer of all.
Taken from the Dale Weekly Reporter, Dec 31, 1897, page 12.
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