BIO: Thomas F. BRUNGART, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JO Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/1picts/commbios/comm-bios.htm _____________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898. _____________________________________________________________________ THOMAS F. BRUNGART, one of the leading agriculturists of Centre county, residing near Wolfs Store, has evidently solved the problem of making farming pay even in "hard times." A shrewd and systematic manager, he adapts his crops to the market, and when one article falls in price he takes pains to cultivate some other in which there is more profit, thus securing good returns. He belongs to one of the old families of Miles township, Centre county, and was born upon the same farm upon which his father, Samuel Brungart, first saw the light. Martin Brungart, his great-grandfather, was one of the first settlers there, bringing with him his family, among whom was Jacob, the second son, who was born January 15, 1786, and died September 5, 1862. Jacob Brungart owned and cultivated the homestead which is now the property of our subject, his grandson, and was one of the successful farmers of his day. In 1813 he was drafted; but being so situated that he could not enter the army without great sacrifice, he hired William P. Brady, of Aaronsburg, as a substitute, giving him $60 and a pair of shoes. Jacob Brungart had six sons - John, George, Frederick, Martin, Jacob and Samuel; and six daughters - Mary (Mrs. John Heckman), Susan (Mrs. John Weaver), Catherine (Mrs. Adam Bair), Margaret (Mrs. Jacob Smeltzer), Regina (who married John Shaffer), and Sarah (wife of William Johnson). Of this family, those yet living are Frederick, and Sarah, the wife of William Johnson. Samuel Brungart, our subject's father, born April 21, 1825, was among the younger children of this large family. Farm work was then as plentiful in winter as in summer, and consequently he attended school but little. He possessed unusual mental ability, however, and an excellent memory enabled him to make the most of such opportunities as came in his way, making him quite competent to transact business so great that, although he had never been instructed in a trade, he could make the various kinds of tools required in farm work. This faculty was also displayed in the management of his farms, his success being so uniform that his plans and methods were eagerly adopted by the progressive farmers of the neighborhood. He was larger than the average man, and did much hard work in his lifetime, gaining a success which, all things considered, was remarkable. Firm and steadfast in his ideas, he remained throughout life a stanch Democrat, and in religion he adhered to the Lutheran faith, contributing liberally to the Church and holding various offices therein. He married Harriet Walker, who was born in Brush Valley, February 20, 1831, a daughter of Daniel and Hannah (Erhart) Walker. The young couple began housekeeping in a small home in Brush Valley, near the present site of Walker's Mill, and from there removed to Madisonburg, where our subject's father rented land for four years. He wished to buy the old homestead out, but as his father declined to sell it he rented it until his father's death, when, in the division of the estate, Samuel Brungart secured the farm by paying about $4,000 to the other heirs. In 1868 he built a fine barn, 102 x 45, and he also remodeled the other buildings. He and his wife spent their last days at the old homestead, the latter dying July 6, 1892, while his own death occurred February 19, 1893. Both were buried at St. Luke's Evangelical Lutheran cemetery, in Miles township, Centre county, where our subject has erected a handsome monument to mark their resting place. Thomas F. Brungart, our subject, was born March 12, 1849, and the Brungart School, near the old homestead, furnished him his first educational privileges. As he was but a child when his parents removed to Madisonburg he had the COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 489 advantage of attending the schools there until the return of the family to the eastern end of Brush Valley, where he completed his studies, with the exception of a portion of one winter at Rebersburg. As there was always plenty of work to be done at home he never "worked out," his father paying him wages after the age of twenty, and this arrangement was only interrupted by out subject's marriage and settlement in a home of his own. His wife, to whom he was united in Rebersburg, February 16, 1881, was formerly Miss Emma Corman. She is a daughter of Henry and Rachel (Bair) Corman, and was born and reared in Brush Valley. Their first home was upon a farm rented by our subject's brother-in-law, James Corman, but later Mr. Brungart rented the old Poorman farm, in Miles township, Centre county, where he remained about eleven years. In the spring of 1893, the homestead having been left vacant by the death of his parents, he settled there. He has in that estate 268 acres, and in another farm near Wolfs Store, known as the old Wolf Homestead, he has 147 acres more. While Mr. Brungart does not do much manual labor, he oversees all the details of the work upon his farm, and the results of his careful management are seen on every side. Five children brighten his home: Mabel O., Samuel C., Celia V., Tacie H. and Elda R. Mrs. Brungart is a member of the Reformed Church, but our subject is a Lutheran, and is an active worker in the Church, having held office as deacon and treasurer. He takes great interest in all movements for the advancement of the community, and is a prominent member of the Grange. In politics he has always been a Democrat, but notwithstanding his hearty support of the doctrines of his party he never has held office, preferring to devote his time to his own affairs.