Hyman Israel De Bruin
Hyman Israel De Bruin, son of Israel Hyman and Judith DeBruin, was born December 24, 1796, in Amsterdam, Holland. His parents were Hebrews and, by tradition, of the tribe of Levi. They gave this, their eldest child, a thorough education, of which he made good use, and which proved, a valuable legacy to him in a long and active business life.
His parents died when he was young. After attaining his majority he had a great desire to come to America, but with limited means could not see his way clear. Just then he found a good friend coming to this country, who offered to advance his passage. He accepted the passage money, as a loan, and in October, 1819, he sailed for America. After a long and stormy voyage he landed at Philadelphia early in January, 1820. His and his friend's destination being farther west, they made the trip over the mountains on foot and in an emigrant wagon, which they had procured that they might ride when tired of walking. The trip was a hard one, but they reached Pittsburg after many days. There they took passage on an Ohio River boat and after a tedious trip landed at Maysville.
A stranger in a strange land, Mr. DeBruin, with business intent, at once started out to find employment, and was soon rewarded in securing a position as bookkeeper in a large commission house owned by Mr. Andrew M. January, who accepted the obligation, which had been assumed by this kind friend from Amsterdam.
Mr. DeBruin had the contract made in legal form and entered upon his work, in his characteristic and systematic way. He was a fine penman and a model clerk. He remained with his new employer several years until he had cancelled the obligation for his passage and saved enough to go into business for himself. The friendship thus formed with Mr. January was never broken.
On March 14, 1832, Mr. DeBruin was married to Miss Rebecca Easton, daughter of Rev. Edward and Mary Easton, of Linconshire, England, who came to this country in 1820.
In July, 1833 when the terrible epidemic of cholera was raging in Maysville, Mr. DeBruin removed his family to Winchester, Adams County, Ohio, where he continued in the mercantile business until about 1854. Having gathered together quite a little sum, about sixty or seventy thousand dollars, he retired from business and lived a quiet life.
He became a member of the Methodist Church in January, 1844. He was class leader and superintendent of the Sabbath School for many years and was never absent from church or Sunday school unless out of town or sick.
There were born to these parents twelve children, eight sons and four daughters. Four died in infancy and two at the ages of thirtyfour and thirty-two. On February 12, i898, the first born, Rev. Israel Hyman DeBruin of Columbus, Ohio, passed away in the seventy-fifth year of his age. There are still five children living, three sons and two daughters. The youngest, a son, aged thirty-three, and the oldest about seventy-two.
Our subject's political affiliations were with the Whig and Republican parties. His first vote cast, on becoming a legalized citizen of the United States, was for James Monroe, for President. He was an ardent admirer of Mr. Clay and voted for him three times for President. He voted the last Whig ticket in 1852 for General Scott. After that he voted the Republican ticket. His last vote for President was for General Grant, in 1868.
Mr. DeBruin died at his home in Winchester, September 9, 1871, in the seventy-fifth year of his age. His wife died on February 25th, in her seventieth year.
From History of Adams County, Ohio from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time - by Nelson W. Evans and Emmons B. Stivers - West Union, Ohio - Published by E. B. Stivers - 1900