Since seven years of age Oscar F. Brunzell has been a resident of Owyhee County and is now residing in Silver City, where he is faithfully discharging the duties of assessor and tax collector. A native of Sweden, he was born January 5. 1864 and is a son of J. M. Brunzell who is now serving as postmaster of Reynolds, Owyhee county. In 1868 the father came to Idaho, and in 1871 sent for his family, who joined him, since which time they have resided continuously in Owyhee county. He is a stock-raiser and proprietor of a hotel and successfully conducts a good business. The family circle yet remains unbroken by the hand of death, and the three sons, Carl, Oscar F. and John A., are all residents of Idaho.
The subject of this sketch attended the public schools of this locality and later continued his education in the Lincoln school in San Francisco. He has since been engaged in general stock-raising and mining until called to public office. In politics he is a “silver” Republican, and at the election of 1892 was chosen by popular ballot for the office of assessor and tax collector of Owyhee County, serving in that capacity until 1896, when he was again elected to that office. In 1898 he received the nomination of his party for county sheriff, and was elected by a majority of fifty-four.
Mr. Brunzell was married October 30, 1895 to Miss Laura E. Winchester, of Owyhee County, and they have two children, Bryan William and Albert. Mr. Brunzell is a member of both branches of the Odd Fellows society, and is past noble grand and past chief patriarch, while he and his wife are members of the Rebekah lodge of the fraternity. He is also a member of the Woodmen of the World. Both our subject and his wife were reared in the Lutheran church and are people of the highest respectability.