in 1723; d. 18 Aug., 1746), was a young man of remarkable mechanical and scientific genius, who constructed an organ and made microscopes of improved magnifying powers.
BROMLEY, Isaac Hill, journalist, b. in Norwich, Conn., 6 March. 1833; d. there, 11 Aug., 1898. He was graduated at Yale, studied law, was clerk of the Connecticut house of representatives and of the senate, and in 1858 began the publication of the Norwich "Morning Bulletin." He served as captain in 1862, and afterward was provost marshal. In 1866 he was a member of the legislature. In 1868-'72 he was editor and part proprietor of the Hartford "Evening Post," in 1872 a writer on the editorial staff of the New York "Sun," and editorial writer on the New York
"Tribune" from 1873 till 1883, when he was for a few months editor of the "Commercial Advertiser." He was appointed a government director of the Union Pacific railroad in the spring of 1882, and held the office until the spring of 1884 During the presidential canvass of 1884 he edited the Rochester, N. Y., "Post-Express," and subsequently entered the service of the Union Pacific railroad company, and was appointed assistant to the president in March 1885.
BROMME, Traugott, German traveller, b. in Anger, near Leipsic, in 1802; d. 4 Dec, 1865. He settled in the United States in 1820, and afterward travelled extensively in Texas and Mexico, became surgeon on a Columbian war-schooner cruising in the West Indies, and was detained for a year as a prisoner in Hayti, during which time he explored that island. After his return to Germany he became a publisher, and wrote books on his travels in America. His hand-book for North, Central, and South America jaassed through many editions.
BRONDEL, John Baptist, R. C. bishop, b.
in Bruges in 1842. He studied in the American college of the university of Louvain, and was ordained at Mechlin in 1864. In 1866 he volunteered
for the American mission, went to Washington territory, and in 1867 was appointed rector of Heilacoom. He was transferred to Walla Walla
in 1877, but returned to Heilacoom in 1878. He was consecrated bishop of Vancouver island in 1879, appointed administrator of the vicariate
apostolic of Montana in 1883, and in 1884 consecrated bishop of Helena in the same territory. He has been very successful in civilizing the Indians
of his diocese, and his popularity among the tribes has often enabled him to render important services to the U. S. government.
BRONSON, Greene Carrier, lawyer, b. in
Oneida, N. Y., in 1789; d. at Saratoga, N. Y., 3 Sept., 1863. He spent the greater portion of his life at Utica, where he obtained an extensive practice. In April, 1819, he was chosen surrogate of Oneida co., in 1822 was a member of assembly, and in 1829 elected attorney-general, which
office he held up to January, 1836, at which time
he became one of the puisne Judges of the supreme
court of judicature. He was next appointed chief
justice of the supreme court in 1845, and two years
subsequently one of the judges of the court of appeals, then just organized. After leaving the bench
he removed to New York and practised law. Having become involved in unfortunate speculations,
he lost nearly the whole of his property. In 1853
he was appointed collector of the port of New
York, but removed in 1854. In December, 1859,
he was elected corporation counsel, which office he
held until January, 1863. In politics he was a
democrat, leader of the "hard-shell" faction in
New York, and its candidate for governor in 1855.
BRONSON, Isaac H., jurist, b. in Rutland,
N. Y., 16 Oct., 1802; d. in Palatka, Fla., 13 Aug., 1855. He was admitted to the bar in 1822, began practice at Watertown, N. Y., became eminent as
a lawyer, and elected to congress as a democrat from New York in 1836, serving as chairman of the committee on territories. He was defeated in
1838, received the appointment of judge of the fifth judicial district of New York, and later that of territorial judge for Florida, and after the organization of the state, in 1845, of U. S. district judge for the northern district of Florida, which office he held until his death.
BRONSON, Silas, philanthropist, b. in Middlebury, Conn.; d. in New York, 25 Nov., 1867. He acquired a fortune, and, among other bequests, left $200,000 to found a public library in Waterbury, CoiHl.
BROOKE, Ayonia Stanhope Jones, actress,
b. in New York, 12 July, 1839 ; d. there, 4 Oct., 1867. She was the daughter of George Jones, known as " Count Johannes," and made her first appearance on 18 April, 1856, at the People's theatre, Cincinnati, Ohio, as Parthenia in "Ingomar." In 1859 she acted in San Francisco, and then, after
returning to New York, sailed for Australia, where she was very successful. In 1861 she appeared in London, at Drury lane theatre, and, while in
England, married Gustavus Brooke, the tragedian. After returning to this country and acting in Philadelphia, she visited England again, in 1865, and,
contracting a cold there, died of consumption.
BROOKE, Francis J., jurist, b. in Smithfield,
Va., 27 Aug., 1763; d. 3 March, 1851. In 1780 he joined Harrison's regiment of artillery as lieutenant—his twin brother, John, obtaining a similar commission in the same regiment—and his first campaign was under Lafayette, in 1781. He afterward joined Greene's army, and served until the end of the war. On his return to Virginia, after studying medicine for a year with his elder brother, Lawrence, he turned his attention to the law, and was admitted to the bar in 1788. He practised in the counties of Monongahela and Harrison, was appointed commonwealth's attorney in the district court, and then practised in Essex co., and in the Northern Neck. He was elected to the state house of delegates in 1794, removed to Fredericksburg in 1796, and in 1800 was chosen to the state senate, becoming its speaker. In 1804 he was elected a judge of the general court, and in 1811 a judge of the court of appeals, of which he was president for eight years. In 1831 he was re-elected judge of the same court, and retained the office until his death. Judge Brooke was an intimate friend of George Washington.—His son, Francis J., b. in Virginia in 1802, was graduated at the U. S. military academy in 1826, served as second lieutenant in the Black Hawk war, became first lieutenant of the 6th infantry, 6 May, 1835, and was killed at the battle of Okeechobee, 25 Dec, 1837, where he had distinguished himself by his bravery.—George Mercer, soldier, brother of Francis J., the elder, b. in Virginia; d. in San Antonio, Texas, 9 March, 1851. He entered the army 3 May, 1808, as first lieutenant in the 5th infantry, was made captain 1 May, 1810, and became major in the 23d infantry in 1814. On 15 Aug. of that year he was brevetted lieutenant-colonel for gallant conduct in defence of Fort Erie, and on 17 Sept. was brevetted colonel for his services in the sortie from the same fort. He was made a brevet brigadier-general 17 Sept., 1824, and in July, 1831, served as colonel of the 5th infantry. During the war with Mexico he fought with distinction, and was
