Benjamin E. Brewer, farmer, was born in Pleasant Township, this county, March 4, 1840, son of Daniel and Cynthia (Comingore) Brewster, and is of German descent. His father was born in Mercer County, Ky., and died in this county July 21, 1839, from injuries received while working at an old pioneer threshing machine, and his mother, also a native of Kentucky, died in this state in 1887. The Brewer family came to this county at a very early day, and settled near the present town of Greenwood. The subject of this sketch is the eldest of five children. He was reared on the farm, and received a common school education. At the age of sixteen years he began the business of life for himself, and for two years worked on the farm for a man by the name of John R. Smock, for which he received three months’ schooling and $75 year. In 1860, Mr. Brewer engaged in agricultural pursuits for himself, and has since continued the vocation of a farmer. In 1881, he removed to his present farm, which consists of nearly 100 acres, and has good and substantial improvements. On the 24th day of February, 1863, our subject was united in marriage to Miss Mary H., daughter of Melvin and Mary Wheat. Mrs. Brewer was born in Johnson County, March 4, 1844. They are the parents of these three children: Anna L., born in 1870; Susie B., born in 1874, and Milroy V., born in 1883. In politics, Mr. Brewer is an ardent republican, and he and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.