Portrait & Biographical Record of Madison & Hamilton Counties Indiana 1893:

Michael Bronnenberg, Jr. - One of the finest farms of Madison County is owned and operated by the gentleman with whose name we introduce this sketch and whose efforts have materially enhanced the progress of Union township. This farm which consists of two hundred and one and one-half acres is located on section 11 and is devoted to the raising of cereals as well as the pasturage of stock. Mr. Bronnenberg had made a specialty of stock-raising in which he had achieved success equal to if not surpassing that which has rewarded his general farming enterprises.

Born in Delaware County on the 30th of March 1843, our subject is the son of John and Bethana (Nelson) Bronnenberg, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Ohio. The father when quite young accompanied his parents from Pennsylvania to Indiana, where he settled in Madison County, being reared to manhood there. In his youth he engaged in pioneer work, clearing land, and tilling soil, he was accustomed to use a team of oxen and a wooden mold-board plow in breaking the land and without the advantage of any of the implements which have facilitated modern farming, he would work patiently, untiringly and with ultimate success.

Our subject is one of twelve children of whom the following survive: Barbara, wife of Martin Campbell, Frederick, Hulda, wife of Joseph Pugsley, Michael, of this sketch, Harvey, John, Henry, Josephine, wife of Casper Campbell and Peter. The three deceased are Franklin, Sarah and an infant. The father of this family, shortly after his marriage removed to Delaware County, Ind., settling on a farm adjoining the Union township, Madison County line. At the time he located on the place no improvements had been made in this vicinity and on every side were dense forests. The log cabin in which his family made their home for many years is still standing on the old home in Delaware County. He engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death which occurred in 1873. He was survived for many years by his wife, who passed away May 5, 1893. They were members of the sturdy race of pioneers now so rapidly passing from among us and their kindly deeds and unfailing hospitality made them vey popular among the people of this section of the state. In politics he was a democrat, always voting the party ticket.

A farmer from youth and a life long resident of Indiana, our subject thoroughly understands agriculture in every detail and used good judgement in his farming operations. In his boyhood he walked two miles to school each morning during the winter seasons, which his summers were devoted to tilling the soil. His wife, likewise a native of Indiana was Miss Martha E. daughter of Andrew and Amenta (White) Sheets. They were the parents of five children as follows: Clara, wife of Alexander Quinn, Maggie, deceased, Franklin, Walter and Russell.

In the spring of 1882, Mr. Bronnenberg came to his present farm, which as above stated contains two hundred and one and one-half acres and he has since resided there. Although not an active partisan he is firm in his allegiance to the principles of the democratic party and gives his support to that political organization.
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Married Mary Ellen Sheets Oct 7, 1868 in Delaware Co., Ind., they were the parents of:

Clara Bronnenberg 1869 (Alexander Quinn)
Maggie Bronnenberg 1872/1874
Franklin "Frank" Bronnenberg 1875/1947 (Sarah Dooley)
Walter Bronnenberg 1879/1904 (Lula Click)
Russell Bronnenberg 1888/1958 (Jimmie E. Gould)