HON. ELWOOD BRUNER

HON. ELWOOD BRUNER, District Attorney, was born September 27, 1854, in Zanesville, Ohio, his father being the Rev. J. A. Bruner, a minister of the Methodist Church, now one of the oldest, as he is one of the most venerated and beloved, of the clergymen of that church upon this coast. His father is still living, at a good old age, at West Berkeley, California. Rev. Mr. Bruner, although now sixty-eight years old, is carrying on his ministerial labors at that point. In 1856 the family removed to this State, arriving here in October of that year. From 1860 to 1865 they were settled in Sacramento, at which time they were transferred to other parts. Young Elwood pursued his higher academic studies at the University of the Pacific at San Jose, graduating there in the class of 1874, and immediately began study of the law in the office of Messrs. Moore, Laine, Delmas & Leib, all names distinguished in legal circles upon this coast. April 10, 1877, Mr. Bruner was admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of this State, and at once opened an office. From the first he has been considered one of the most brilliant of the young lawyers of this section of the State. In 1881 he was a partner of Judge W. A. Cheney, the eminent jurist, now of Los Angeles. In 1879 he was elected a member of the Legislature from this county, this being the first chosen under the new constitution of the State. In 1883 he was elected a public school director of this city, and finally in 1886 was chosen by the suffrages of his fellow citizens to fill the important office of district attorney; and this he has filled with such general satisfaction that at the late election in 1888 he was sent back to the same position. He has always been an active worker for Republican principles. During the late election he canvassed the county for the ticket, contributing not a little to the general results. Mr. Bruner is a member in high standing of the order of Odd Fellows, being elected in May, 1887, the Grand Master of the order in California. During his year of office he personally visited a large number of lodges, and has the satisfaction of looking back upon the most successful year in the growth of the order. Mr. Bruner was married to Miss Lillian J. Flint, of this city, in March, 1880. They have three children, all girls. Reference has already been made to his parents. He has also four brothers and one sister living. Of the brothers, two are practicing attorneys in Alturas County, Idaho. The one, P. M., has been district attorney of that county, and the other, J. Allison, is a leading member of the Idaho Legislature, being chairman of some of the most important committees. Personally, Mr. Bruner is a gentleman of literary and scholarly taste, the most effective and eloquent public speaker, as is emphasized by his selection to represent this city on many public occasions, notably upon the completion of the Oregon & California Railroad and of the extension of the railroad to Placerville, and is one of the best known and most popular men in the city.

An Illustrated History of Sacramento County, California. By Hon. Win. J Davis. Lewis Publishing Company 1890. Page 269-270.

Submitted by: Nancy Pratt Melton.