Israel Hyman De Bruin
Israel Hyman De Bruin, son of Hyman Israel DeBruin and Rebecca Easton DeBruin, was the oldest of a family of twelve children. His father, Hyman Israel DeBruin, was born of Jewish parents in Amsterdam, Holland, December 24, 1796. He came to America in 1816, locating in Maysville, Ky. His mother, Rebecca Easton, was born in Lincolnshire, England, March 28, 1804.
Israel Hyman, the subject of this sketch, was born in Maysville, Kentucky, April 23, 1823. When he was ten years old, in 1833, he, with his parents removed to Winchester, Adams County, Ohio, where after attending school one year, at the age of eleven, he entered his father's store as a clerk in which position he remained seventeen years. He then with his brother-in-law, Judge Wm. M. Meek, purchased the business from his father, and in two years later he bought his brother-in-law's interest and took control of the entire business and conducted it until 1879.
He united with the M. E. Church, January, 1844, and was an earnest, zealous member of the same, exemplifying in his life the faith he professed, for many years serving as a licensed minister of the church. He served in the army of the rebellion as Quartermaster of the Seventieth Regiment, O. V. I., joining the regiment of Camp Hamer, West Union, October 12, 1861. On account of failing health, he tendered his resignation from the service, which was accepted June 2, 1863.
In 1880, he was appointed Clerk of the Ohio Penitentiary, removing with his family to Columbus, Ohio, and some months later was appointed Chaplain of that institution, under the administration of Gov. Foster, serving four years. He was again appointed Chaplain under Gov. Forakcr's administration, and served four years. For about eight years he filled the position of Clerk in the Board of Education in the city of Columbus, which position he occupied at the time of his death.
He was married to Elizabeth Middletown, September 21, 1847. To them were born ten children, five of whom are still living. She died January 23, 1866. He was married to Elizabeth Howard, July 23, 1867, and to this union were born nine children, seven of whom are still living. He was a man of the most noble and generous impulses. His conscience was as tender as that of an innocent child and he always aimed to follow its voice. He was truly and sincerely pious and religious and convinced all who knew him of the fact by his daily life. He aimed to do all the good he could and avoid all evil. All who knew him well loved him for his qualities of character. Were the world made up of men of his stamp, the millenium would not have to be looked for, it would be here.
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