FRANK TRUNCK, manufacturer of brick at Freeport, is successfully carrying on the works which were established by his father, George Trunck, in 1852. At the death of the latter, in 1872, the son succeeded to the business, which is the oldest of its kind in Stephenson County.

Our subject, a native of Germany, was born April 1, 1843, and seven years later his parents emigrated to the United States. They landed in New York City, and thence proceeded to Chicago, where they only stopped three weeks, however, and then took up their residence in Oregon, Ogle County, where they remained until 1852. George Trunck then came with his family to this county, and at once engaged in the manufacture of brick, upon the spot which is now occupied by the buildings and machinery which contribute each year a large quota to the industrial products of Northern Illinois. He was the pioneer in the business in this section and produced only a good quality of building material, which served to bring him a large patronage at a time when tenement and business houses were in continual demand. The parental family of our subject included ten children, most of whom died in infancy; five boys and one girl still survive. The mother, who in her girlhood was Miss Lucina Breimch, is a resident of Freeport, but is in feeble health, from which she has suffered for years.

Our subject, who was next to the eldest child, spent his boyhood days mostly in school, but as soon as old enough his services were utilized in the brickyard continuously until three years before his father's death. He then became a partner in the business. The annual output is now about 2,000,000 brick. The equipments are of the latest improved pattern, including the Martin machine, which molds 20,000 brick in five hours and is operated by horse-power. This does twice the work of an ordinary machine. The kiln is operated three days and three nights in each week, and the color of the brick is uniformly a beautiful cherry red. The works are located in the north western part of the city, near the limits, and give employment to from fifteen to twenty men.

Mr. Trunck was united in marriage with Miss Ann Marks, on the 8th of June, 1868. Mrs. T. was born in Jo Daviess County, on the 1st of April, 1850, and is the daughter of John and Catherine (Miller) Marks. Of her marriage with our subject there have been born five children - John, Matilda, Nellie, Rosa and Arthur. Mr. and Mrs. T. occupy a neat residence near the works, which is tastefully finished and furnished, and with its surroundings forms in all respects a model home. A fine lithographic view of Mr. Trunck's residence and brickyards is shown elsewhere.

Cotnributed by Carol Parrish Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888), p. 542.