Amador
County
Biographies
MORRIS BRINN
For forty years a prominent
businessman and successful merchant at Sutter Creek, Amador County, was Mr.
Brinn, who is a native of Germany, born on the 20th of June,
1838. His parents were William and
Rachel (Joseph) Brinn. His father was a
merchant of Germany, and both he and his wife were of the Hebrew faith. He attained the very advanced age of
ninety-two years, while she passed away at the age of seventy-one. In their family were six children, all of
whom are now living.
Mr. Brinn, of this review, was
educated in his native country and in 1855 came to the United States, whither
two of his brothers had preceded him, locating in California in 1850. They were then engaged in business in Butte
City, Amador County, where he joined them, acting as a clerk in their
establishment for five years, or until 1860, when he came to Sutter Creek and
began business on his own account as a general merchant. Here he has remained through four decades,
yet may be said to have been connected with the mercantile interests of Amador
County for forty-five years. In 1873 he
erected the business block that he now occupies, a substantial structure
thirty-five by one hundred feet, with a basement under the entire
building. The large store is filled from
top to bottom with an extensive and well selected stock of general merchandise
and by close application to business, honorable methods and reliable dealing
Mr. Brinn has secured a very extensive trade, which has brought to him a good
income. He has the respect and
confidence of the public and the esteem of his business associates.
In 1866 Mr. Brinn was united in
marriage to Miss Rose Marks and they have two daughters, Stella and Ray, both
at home. The Brinn household is noted
for its hospitality and the members of the family occupy enviable positions in
social circles. Their residence is a
comfortable and attractive one, and Mr. Brinn has also a dwelling in San Francisco. In addition to these he owns large mining
interests and other property in the county, all of which has been acquired
through his well directed efforts.
A life-long Republican, he has been
unswerving in his support of the principles advanced by the party and he is now
serving his county in the important position of county supervisor. He has filled all the offices in both
branches of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has represented his lodge
in the grand lodge. He is also a valued
member of the Masonic fraternity, is a past master of the blue lodge, past high
priest of the chapter and has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish
rite. He is very widely and favorably
known in Masonic circles and throughout Amador County he has a wide acquaintance,
his friends being drawn to him by his many excellent qualities and
characteristics. His hope of bettering
his financial condition in America has been more than realized, for he has not
only gained a good living but has won a handsome competence which numbers him
among the substantial residents of his adopted county. Marked business and executive ability, keen
discernment and the power of planning and executing the right things at the
right time have been salient features in his success.
Transcribed by
Gerald Iaquinta.
Source:
“A Volume of Memoirs and Genealogy of Representative Citizens of Northern
California”, Pages 486-487. Chicago Standard Genealogical Publishing Co. 1901.
© 2010 Gerald Iaquinta.
Golden Nugget Library's Amador County Biographies