Fred Brumm was born in Greiswold Germany in 1846 and came to Illinois as a young man in 1873. Four years later he established his agricultural implement business in Chenoa and continued in that business until his death in January of 1916. He married Miss Sophia Fellon in 1876 and with her had eight children who all survived him. To his wife he left over $65,000 dollars and over $5,500 to each of his children. His two sons were farming on their own farms in Chenoa at that time and his six daughters were scattered about Illinois and Indiana. Apparently his sons had no interest in continuing in the family business, which was sold at the time of his death. One wonders why not, when it was so obviously very successful.
He was a hands on manager of his business, and in 1877 he was oiling a circular saw in the shop when he accidentally cut off the second and third fingers of his left hand.
Mr Brumm was known to be a very intelligent and frugal business man. In 1881 he purchased the Darrah Building in Chenoa and moved it from the east side of the town to the west side of town.
In May of 1885 burglars broke into the Brumm home in the dead of night and stole $200 from Mr. Brumm's pockets.
A great fire consumed part of the business district of Chenoa in 1892, but Mr. Brumm was lucky enough to escape with a scorched facade.
Mr. Brumm was active in the activities of the Masons of Chenoa, as well as those of Fairbury, Bloomington and Peoria.