Calistus Asahel Bruer (1885-1949)

  Livingston County, Illinois resident Calistus Asahel Bruer is the newest addition to the Strangest Names In American Political History, and despite having a dearth of sources mentioning him, it is worth noting that he represented his county for over two decades in the Illinois state legislature. A lifelong Illinoisan, Calistus Asahel Bruer was born in Owego township in Livingston County on September 8, 1885, the son of Asahel B. and Cynthia (Wagner) Bruer. 
  A student in schools local to Livingston County, Bruer would also attend the Pontiac High School and for four years was a student at Lake Forest University in Illinois. Bruer's time at that college saw him excel on the school's debate team and also won the Oratorical Declamation prize in his first semester. He graduated in the class of 1910 and on January 8, 1918, married in Pontiac to Anna Brinkman (1885-1977). The couple were wed until his death in 1949 and had one son, Harlan (1919-2012).
  Following his marriage, Bruer settled into a career as a farmer and stock raiser in the town of Pontiac. He would become a leading name in the fraternal and civic life of his town and county, holding memberships in the Woodmen of the World, the Masons, Odd Fellows, and the Order of the Eastern Star. Bruer would also serve as secretary and treasurer of the Livingston County Farm Bureau prior to and during his legislative service.
  Bruer began his political career at the local level, serving at various times as Owego town clerk and supervisor. Announcing his candidacy for the Illinois House of Representatives in 1922, he would win the Republican primary that April (polling over 18,000 votes) and that November won the general election, garnering over 25,000 votes. Bruer's first term saw him named to the committees on Agriculture, the Civil Service, Education, Elections, Farm Drainage, Fish and Game, and he would subsequently win reelection to the legislature in 1924, 1926 and 1928.

From the 1923 Illinois State Blue Book.

   Calistus A. Bruer was defeated for reelection in the Republican primary of 1930, polling a few thousand votes behind winning candidates Fred Bestold and Charles M. Turner. Despite this loss, Bruer continued in state government during the 1931-33 session of the legislature as a member of the state Board of Agricultural Advisors as a representative from Pontiac in Livingston County. In November 1932 Bruer won his fifth term in the house, and during the 1933-35 session was named to three new committees, those being Banks, Banking and Building and Loan Associations; Senatorial Apportionment; and the committee to Visit Educational Institutions.
  November 1934 saw Bruer win his sixth term in the statehouse, and he would continue to be reelected to consecutive terms in the legislature for the next fourteen years. His final term in the legislature began in January 1949 and during that year's session sat on the committees on Agriculture; Appropriations; Banks and Building and Loans; and Elections and Reapportionment. Calistus Bruer died in office on October 1, 1949, one month after his 64th birthday. He was survived by his wife and son and was later interred at the Patty Cemetery in Pontiac, Illinois.

From the 1933-34 Illinois Blue Book.