Butte County
Biographies
MRS.
ELIZABETH BRUENS
MRS. ELIZABETH BRUENS.--That adverse conditions build up the strong and break down the weak has found convincing evidence in the life of Mrs. Elizabeth Bruens, whose dauntless spirit has surmounted many obstacles and drawn helpful lessons from disheartening circumstances. She was born near Mexico, Mo., a daughter of Samuel Yates, a native of Kentucky, who moved to Mexico, Mo., where he farmed until his death. Her mother was Eleanor Wells before her marriage, and she was also born in Kentucky, of old Virginian stock. There were eleven children in the family, seven of whom are living, Mrs. Bruens being the youngest of all, and the only one living in California.
Elizabeth Yates was reared on the farm near Mexico, Mo., and attended the public school at Martinsburg. She married, in Audrain County, Mo., Thomas B. Parker, a native of that county and a farmer. His health became poor as a result of a relapse from the measles his lungs becoming affected, so she brought him to California, traveling from place to place in the state in search of health, finally locating at Wheatland. In spite of her care and nursing, Mr. Parker died, at that place. He was prominent Mason. Mrs. Parker was left with two children, and no means of support. She went bravely to work and made a living for herself and children by starting a laundry. While in Wheatland she met Washington Bedford, who was born in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri, and was a farmer in Wheatland. They were married, but the union proved to be unhappy, and she divorced him. She brought her family to Chico, Butte County, in 1892, and took up dressmaking and was very successful in building up a profitable business.
In 1895, she was married the third time, to Henry Bruens, a most estimable man. This union proved a most happy one. Mr. Bruens was born in Germany and was a saddler and harnessmaker by trade. He came to California in young manhood and located at Marysville, where he followed his trade, which he continued after he located at Chico. He was successful and invested in land, owning a ranch near Hamilton City, Glenn County, which he rented. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Bruens bought the corner at Sixth and Salem Streets, in Chico, which Mrs. Bruens still owns. Here Mr. Bruens died, on October 21, 1906. He was a member of the Odd Fellows and was highly esteemed by all who knew him. Mrs. Bruens still makes her home at the residence on Sixth Street, and looks after her varied interests. Besides her own lot and residence there, she owns ninty-nine by one hundred thirty-two feet, upon which she has erected a cottage and two flat buildings, facing Sixth Street, between Broadway and Salem Streets, which bring in a good income.
By her first marriage were born two sons: Robert Lee Parker, who has always been her joy, comfort and mainstay, and he is truly a self-made man and devoted son, and is now a conductor on the Santa Fe Railway, running between Richmond and Bakersfield. The other son, J. S. Parker, when he was eighteen months old unfortunately met with an accident, being pushed backward by a playmate, fell and injured his spine, and became an invalid, having her tenderest care until his death, in 1900, aged thirty years. By her second marriage one child was born, Frances, who is now the wife of Thomas Exley of Los Angeles.
Mrs. Bruens is a member of Richmond Rebekah Degree Lodge, and Miramar Chapter, O. E. S., both of Richmond, and of Halleck Women’s Relief Corps, of Chico. Politically, she is a Democrat. In the quiet of her home Mrs. Bruens looks back upon her life of toil and hardships with no regrets for duty done, for she is now enjoying a well-earned rest, surrounded by many warm friends who appreciate her many fine qualities of mind and heart.
Transcribed
by Joyce & David Rugeroni.
Source: "History of
Butte County, Cal.," by George C. Mansfield, Pages 791-792, Historic Record Co, Los Angeles, CA, 1918.
© 2008 Joyce & David Rugeroni.
Golden Nugget Library's Butte County Biographies