Standard History of Adams & Wells Counties, Indiana – 1918
Tyndall & Lesh, Pages 660 & 661

DANIEL T. BRINNEMAN

There are turning points in every man’s life called opportunity. Taken advantage of they mean ultimate success. The career of Daniel T. Brinneman is a striking illustration of the latter statement. Diligent and ever alert for his chance of advancement, he has progressed steadily until he is recognized today as one of the prominent citizens of Bluffton, where he is president and treasurer of the Bluffton Improvement Company and the present efficient incumbent of the office of county recorder of Wells County. He is held in high esteem by his fellow men, who honor him for his native ability and for his fair and straightforward career.

The founder of the Brinneman family in Wells County, Indiana, was Melakiah Brinneman, a native of the State of Pennsylvania, whence he emigrated to the Hoosier state. His son, Cornelius, was born in section 16 Chester Township, Wells County, and there grew to maturity and was educated. He married Maria A. Bruce and to them were born five children, two of whom died in infancy; the others, living in 1917, are: Charles W. A., a resident of Fort Wayne, Indiana; Bertha M., now a resident of California; and Daniel T., of this review. Mrs. Maria A. Brinneman passed away July 20, 1916.

Daniel Theron Brinneman was born on a farm in Chester Township, Wells County, the date of his nativity being October 10, 1876. He lived in the vicinity of his birth until 1887, in which year the family home was established in the City of Indianapolis, where he attended school until he was twelve years old. At that tender age he began to make his own living, working at different things for several years. He also provided for his widowed mother and among other things he learned in the capital city was the barber’s trade. In 1895 he returned to Wells County and located in Bluffton, where he worked in different barber shops until 1906, in which year he purchased a shop and operated the same for about one year. Disposing of his shop in 1907, he went to Michigan for the improvement of his health and remained in that state for four months. He then returned to Bluffton, bought another barber shop and conducted it for nearly a year. In 1909 he engage in the real estate business, in partnership with the late John W. Tribolet and after the latter’s death took over the entire business. Three years from that time he purchased the Wandell Barber Shop, which he conducted for six months, eventually selling the same. In the spring of 1914 he was nominated on the democratic ticket for the office of county recorder. He was nominated by 1,259 votes, and he assumed office January 1, 1916. He is a conscientious worker and has proved himself well fitted for the responsible position he holds. In 1917 he organized the Bluffton Improvement Company for the purpose of buying, improving and selling real estate, and of this concern he is president and treasurer. Mrs. Brinneman is vice president and Mary Crum secretary.

September 12, 1911, Mr. Brinneman married Miss Elva Randall, a daughter of Franklin Randall, a prominent farmer in Lancaster Township, Wells County. Mrs. Brinneman is a graduate of the Craigville High School and of the Bluffton Business College. Two children are the result of this union: Helen, aged six, and Franklin, aged three.

Mr. Brinneman is a member of Bluffton Lodge No. 92, Knights of Pythias and of Minnetonka Tribe No. 82, Improved Order of Red Men. His interest in political questions is deep and sincere and he gives an earnest support to democratic principles, believing that the platform of that party contains the best elements of good government. Mrs. Brinneman is absolutely a self-made man and for that reason his success in life is the more gratifying to contemplate.