Henry H. Van Brunt, one of the successful jobbers in carriages, buggies, etc., of Council Bluffs, first established his business here in 1878, at Nos. 12, 14 and 16 Fourth Street. He makes a specialty of vehicles of all kinds at wholesale and retail. He also has the largest retail trade in agricultural implements in the city. He does an extensive business in the storage and transferring of agricultural implements for manufacturers of the East; this branch of his business is second to none in this city or Omaha, having first-class facilities. His warehouses are located on the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad tracks, on First Avenue, and are large and especially adapted for the business, having a capacity of 25,000 square feet. He occupies the Bennett Block on Fourth Street for his offices and retail store.

He was born in Jefferson County, New York, and was seven years of age when his parents removed to Wisconsin, and was twenty years old when, in 1868, he came to Council Bluffs. His parents, W. H. and Julia A. (Palmer) Van Brunt, were natives of New York State and of Holland ancestry on the paternal side. He was brought up to farm life. Since his arrival here he has been a leading and successful business man. He has dealt in considerable real estate in the county, and now has one of the finest farms in the county, consisting of 520 acres in one body, on Sections 2 and 3, Keg Creek and Hardin Townships. The farms are well stocked, the improvements are of the best, and have been made under his direct supervision. He owns also a number of lots, and has just completed for himself one of the finest residences in the city. He is mainly self-educated and self-made in his business attainments.

In his political views he is a Republican; is a member of the Board of Trade, and chairman of one of the important committees, and also a member of the executive board of the Council Bluffs and Omaha Chautauqua Assembly.

He was married in Council Bluffs, to Miss Lillie M. West, who was born in Sheboygan County, Wisc., the daughter of E. West, and they are the parents of two children: Harry and George.