MASSILLON – The Brenner family staked a claim in western Stark County about a dozen years after the Civil War and embarked on what's become a local family tradition — farming.
Many decedents of patriarch David Brenner gathered Sunday afternoon to celebrate their heritage for the 85th time at a family reunion. They shared stories and photos of yesteryear, tossed eggs and enjoyed grilled food and ice cream.
Family ties: McClymonds descendants visit ancestral Massillon home, connect with history
"Seeing people you haven't seen for a year or more is the big thing," said Massillon resident Jack Brenner, 77, who recalls attending family annual gatherings as a toddler. "It's just nice seeing everyone come out for such a long time."
About 40 Brenner descendants met at Community Park on Finefrock Road SW.
Jane Brenner Arntz, a great-great-granddaughter of David Brenner, said the location has changed a few times over the years. The first meeting was held in 1935 at High Mill Park in Jackson Township.
Other reunion locations have been in Dalton and Orr Park in Orrville. Community Park has been the event home since 2007.
"The plan is to keep (the reunion) going ever year," said Arntz, noting that ice cream or ice cream bars have been served at about every reunion since the first.
Years in which the Brenners did not hold a reunion were 1941 to 1945 due to World War II, as well as 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Arntz said.
More about David Brenner, family
Around 1879, David Brenner moved to Northeast Ohio from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where family members were pre-Revolution colonial settlers.
Brenner and his wife, Hettie, raised 13 children at their Beech Grove community home located along U.S. Route 30 and state Route 93. Today, it's known as the White Farm, which is still farmed by the Brenner family.
"(Some) were Mennonites who came to Ohio by train and were against war," said Stuart Brenner, who serves as family historian, adding that many in the Brenner family have served in the U.S. military over the years.
David Brenner was a corn, alfalfa, wheat and hay farmer. He also raised pigs and dairy cows, as well as serving as the community's auctioneer.
David Brenner died in 1914 at age 77. He is buried at Pleasant View Cemetery in Tuscarawas Township .
Terri Brenner Davis, who currently resides in Atlanta , is also a great-great-granddaughter of David Brenner. She said it was refreshing to see a positive turnout on Sunday.
"Over the years, the number of attendees has dwindled," she said. "(We were) hopeful that the milestone of 85 years would bring more relatives out."
Reach Steven at steven.grazier@indeonline.com . On X: @sgrazierINDE
This article originally appeared on The Independent: Family ties: Brenner family members return to Massillon for annual reunion
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