Larry Brunk
1929-1933

Larry Brunk (Republican), the twenty-seventh state treasurer, was born on February 9, 1883 in Franklin County, Missouri and was educated in the public schools of Aurora.  As a youth he worked in mining in the Aurora area, became a foreman, and later gained a financial interest in several of the mines.  Mr. Brunk served as mayor of Aurora for four terms.  He was elected to the state senate in 1922, served in the 52^nd and 53^rd General Assemblies and was re-elected in 1926.  Following the 1925 session, however, Governor Sam A. Baker appointed him purchasing agent for the Department of Penal Institutions.  The governor then advanced him to the position of secretary of the Public Service Commission.  After thirteen months on the commission the governor asked him to accept the office of secretary to the Workmen’s Compensation Commission, where he served until the campaign of 1928, when he became the successful candidate for the office of state treasurer.  As treasurer he received a $3,000 annual salary, employing a total of 33 persons in 1930 and 30 in 1932.  After serving as state treasurer, he entered the motorcar business in Jefferson City, remaining until 1937, when he returned to Aurora to the mining industry.  He was married February 1, 1918 at Fort Smith, Arkansas to Miss Anna Urschel of West Plains and they had one son.  He died on November 22, 1956.