ELDER PETER S. BRUNER was born in Breckenridge county, Ky. His grand parents came from Germany at an early day. When but six years old emigrated to Schuyler county, Ill., in boyhood to Macon county, Mo., and in 1860 to Perry county, Mo., where his father departed this life in 1862, his mother following in 1868. Elder Bruner was married October 12, 1862, to Lydia Jane, daughter of James Preston. Six children were born to them, two of whom are living and professed Christians. He was married a second time to Nancy Catharine, daughter of Elder R. Moore, Oakwoods, Texas. Eleven heirs have brightened their home, four of whom survive. Under the preaching of Elder Joseph R. Rutler, a missionary Baptist in Perry county, Mo., in September, 1863, Brother Bruner professed faith in Christ, and was baptized into Boise Brule Baptist church. Soon he was ordained a deacon. December 31, 1870, he was licensed to preach, and preached his first sermon Jan. 15, 1871, from Eph. 4:29-30. Came to Texas in 1875, and joined Salem church, now Masterville. Joined the Carolina church in 1880. Dr. T. J. Drane, pastor, passed an encomium on the Bruner family (whom he had known in Kentucky), and expressed the hope that this one was “a chip off the old block.” Brother Bruner was ordained by Carolina church, January, 1882. Presbytery: T. J. Drane, R. Moore and G. G. Gibson. He is grateful to God that he has been permitted to preach Christ in Missouri, Illinois, Tennessee and Texas.
Source: J. L. Walker and C. P. Lumpkin, History of the Waco Baptist Association of Texas (Waco: Byrne-Hill Printing House, 1897), pp. 244-245.