Doctor Bernard Bruns, eminent pioneer physician and citizen, was born in Hanover, December 24, 1801. He graduated at the University of Bonn, after which he studied medicine at Berlin, graduating in medicine in 1829. At Berlin he was in contact with the intellectual leaders of Germany, among them being Alexander Von Humboldt, famous traveler and scientist. On graduating he settled in Westphalia for the practice of medicine.

In 1832 he came to St. Louis where he met Nicholas Hesse, adventurer and writer, and came with him to Osage County where he bought government land and contracted for the erection of a house, then returned to Germany. In 1835 he came with a small colony and founded the town of Westphalia, entertaining many famous visitors in the home he built there. He continued the practice of medicine until 1856 when he moved to Jefferson City where he remained until he died of illness, April 1, 1864. Dr. Bruns was mayor of Jefferson City at the time of his death. For some time he conducted a mercantile business here.

On May 4, 1832, before coming to America, Dr Bruns married Henrietta Geisberg who was born at Stromberg, Westphalia, October 28, 1813, and who died in Jefferson City November 7, 1899. She was the daughter of Maximilian Geisberg, chief of forestry and chase for the province of Westphlia, whose paternal ancestry is traced to Johan Georg Geisberg, 1601-1651. The children of Doctor and Mrs. Bruns included Herman and Henry Bruns, Mrs. Effie Decker and Mrs. Ottilie Hess, Louis and William. Captain Henry Bruns was the first Jefferson Citian killed in the Civil War. Herman Bruns, born in Germany, educted in Westphalia and Jefferson City, was associated with his father in the mercantile business. He was a leader in political and civic activities of the city and county.

from "The Illustrated Sketch Book and Directory of Jefferson City and Cole County, Missouri" - Published 1900