William A. Brier, well-known citizen and agriculturist of Sugar Creek township, Hancock county, Indiana, was born on April 26, 1866, on the Breier homestead in this township and county and is the son of William F. and Christina (Rosener) Breier, both natives of Frilee, Germany, who immigrated to America when very young. William F. Breier was the son of William and Christina (Deerburg) Breier, also natives of Frilee, Germany, who immigrated to America in 1840. William Breier was born about 1800, subsequently locating in Sugar Creek township of this county, where he engaged in farming until his death, which occurred in 1888. The farm which he established consisted of eighty acres in the northwest quarter of section 13, and was purchased of Jacob Schram. It was partially improved and cleared and eventually contained one hundred and sixty acres, eighty acres having been purchased of Mr. Bunge. This last named property was located in the southeast quarter of section 11. All of the hardships and privations of pioneer life were endured by William Breier while he was engaged in the development of his farm, but his services were invaluable in the community. His wife preceded him in death about seventeen years, her death having occurred in 1871. They were the parents of six children, all of whom lived to maturity.

William F. Breier, father of William A. Breier, was born in February, 1834, and was but six years of age when he came to America with his parents, who made the voyage in a sailing vessel, disembarking at New York City, and removing immediately to this locality. After many years of successful farming in Sugar Creek township, his property holding amounting to four hundred acres, which included the home place purchased from the other heirs, his death occurred in October, 1889, at the age of fifty-five years. He was an active member of the German Lutheran church, as was also his wife, who followed him in death on July 8, 1904. To them were born ten children, whose names follow: Christina, Dena, who died at the age of twenty-two years; Henry, who die in infancy; William, Charles, Mary, Henry, Emma, Annie and Benjamin. Christina died at the age of fifty-five.

William A. Breier was reared on the Breier homestead and received his education in the old No. 3 school and in the German school , his first teacher having been Louis Schriber. His teacher in the German school was Rev. J. G. Kunz. After the completion of his education he returned to the farm and assisted his father with the work, assuming the entire charge at the death of his parents. The farm is well improved and is devoted to the raising of general crops and stock, feeding out about fifty head of Ohio Improved Chester hogs and keeps eight to ten head of cattle and four head of horses. William A. Breier is a member of the German Lutheran church, and Democratic in his political views. As a life-long resident of this locality he has always been known as a man of sterling worth and integrity.

Transcribed from History of Hancock County, Indiana, Its People, Industries and Institutions by George J. Richman, B. L., Federal Publishing Co., Indianapolis, Indiana, 1916. Page 963-964.

Submitted by Sylvia (Rose) Duda, Laingsburg, MI October 15, 2001.

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