Fifth Generation


109. Benjamin Brossman/Bressman was born in 1804 in Stouchsburg, Berks Co., PA.2,18 He died on 6 February 1876 at the age of 72 in Percival, Fremont Co., IA.12,19 He was baptized in St. Luke's Lutheran Church, Shaefferstown, PA.12

Notes:
The following is an excerpt from a biography of Jacob Bressman written by Schuyler Brossman 7 Dec. 1971 and supplied by Corrinne Ellis. Another portion of this biography can be found with Jacob Bressman, Benjamin's son.

"According to family tradition, as related by an aged member of this Brossman family of Lebanon County, Pa., Benjamin Brossman, and three of his brothers headed for the gold mines (could it have been the silver mines?) in the mid-1800s. They got as far as Indiana or Illinois when one of the wives died. This so discouraged them that two decided to return to Pennsylvania and the other two stayed in Indiana or Illinois. There can be no doubt that if Benjamin Brossman and his family were among this group of travelers, his children, which included Jacob Bressman, were with him as well as their mother.

By the time of the 1870 U.S. Census, Benjamin Brussman (as the name was then spelled) was found in the township of Benton, County of Fremont in Iowa, according to Vol. 116, page 11, line 31 of the census record. ......"

JWB note. Based on what we know today, it appears that Benjamin, Samuel and possibly Peter and Johannes went west together about 1830-1833. By 1833, children are being born to Benjamin in Illinois. It is speculation that Johannes's wife Catherine died (possibly in Indiana) and he and Peter returned to Pennsylvania. Samuel's family stayed in Illnois while Benjamin's family continued to grow in Illinois and then moved on to Iowa between 1850 and 1856 according to the 1850 U.S. Census of Coles County IL and Jacob Bressman's marriage to Harriet Harrington. It also appears that Benjamin Brossman became known as Benjamin Bressman, probably in Iowa as all his offspring carry the name Bressman to this day.
End of notes

Benjamin Brossman/Bressman and Elizabeth Krick (Kreig)20 were married on 6 March 1825 in Stouchsburg, Berks Co., PA.12 The Benjamin Brossman family lived in the Schaefferstown area of Lebanon Co. Pa before going west to Iowa. Listed in the 1860 census in Fremont Co. Iowa Elizabeth Krick (Kreig) was born about 1802.12,21 She died about July 1877 at the age of 75 in Percival, Fremont Co., IA.12,19

The following information was supplied by Corrinne Ellis and is the will of Elizabeth Bressman probated July 1877

Will of Elizabeth Bressman

In the name of God, Amen.

I Elizabeth Bressman of Benton Township, Fremont County Iowa being of sound mind and memory do hereby make publish and declare this to be my last will and testament, hereby revoking and making void all former wills by me at anytime heretofore made.

1. I order and direct my executor as soon after my decease as possible to pay off and discharge all the debts dues and liabilities that may exist against me at the time of my decease.

2. I give and bequeath unto my sons, Isreal Bressman, Adam Bressman, Jacob Bressman and Levi Bressman to each of them one dollar and unto my daughters Mar? Troth and Sarah Westfall each one dollar.

3. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Lydia J. Klien (sic) and to her heirs all of my other
property to wit: the North West fourth of the South East fourth of Section #31 in township
Sixty nine Range Forty three containing forty acres, and ten acres on the west side of North East fourth of the South East fourth of Section Thirty one in Township Sixty nine Range Forty three.

Also four cows and for (sic) calves; also one yearling heifer, also one sow and one shoat and all of my household furniture. Said property being my dower, set off to me from the estate of Benjamin Bressman, deceased.

4. I hereby nominate and appoint J. W. Klein, Executor without ____bond of this my last will
and testament.

In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name this 9th day of June 1877.

Signed….Elizabeth Bressman

Source: WILL INDEX BOOK 2 1861-1884 LDS FILM # 1533775 ITEM 4

Benjamin Brossman/Bressman-188 and Elizabeth Krick (Kreig)-208 had the following children:

+168

i.

Mary Ann Bressman-2062.

169

ii.

Benjamin Bressman Jr. was baptized on 10 June 1827 in St. Lukes Evangelical Luthern CH, Lebanon, PA.2 He was born in 1827.12

+170

iii.

Israel Bressman-823.

+171

iv.

Jacob Bressman-820.

+172

v.

Adam Bressman-2404.

+173

vi.

Sarah Bressman-2405.

+174

vii.

Levi Bressman-838.

175

viii.

Henry Bressman was born in 1839 in Illinois.2 He died after 1860 at the age of 21.22

+176

ix.

Lydia Jane Bressman-839.

+177

x.

Mary Polly E. Bressman-837.