The Brown Families of Crawford County, Ohio

CHARLES A. BROWN, farmer; P. 0. Sulphur Springs; was born in Wittenberg, Germany, Nov. 13, 1831, and is the son of John and Rosanna (Gruber) Brown, or Braun, as it is in the original German. His parents came to the United States in 1832, and were thirty days in crossing the ocean. They first settled in Columbiana Co., and the following year removed to Crawford Co. and settled in this township, where Mr. Brown's father lived till his death in 1856. Here our subject was reared and schooled, and has always followed farming. He has been a successful farmer, and has, by hard work and shrewd business habits, amassed considerable property. He is living now near the center of the township, and has a fine farm and pleasant home, being blessed with a good family of loving and bright children. He was married in 1871 to Lavinia Easterday, of Vernon Township. They have four children — Wilson, Albertus, Milton and one unnamed.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOSEPH D. BROWN.

Among the men of hardy enterprise and undaunted courage, who made for his family a home in Richland county, Ohio, in the days while still the wild beasts of the forest roamed at will and howled at night around his pioneer cabin, was William Brown, who was the father of Joseph D. Brown, the subject of this biography. In 1830 William Brown came to Richland county from his native state, bringing with him his bride and settling upon lands which his far-seeing father had previously purchased in this then almost unsettled portion of the state. William Brown was born in Indiana county, Pennsylvania, in 1808, and he was a son of Jeremiah and Elizabeth (Cummings) Brown, both of whom were natives of Ireland. Jeremiah Brown was a successful farmer and distiller and exerted influence in his locality, and when the desirable farming land in Richland county, in the neighboring state, came upon the market he hastened to buy farms there for his growing sons, although William was the only one to settle there.

nen he came to Richland county, as it was then called, William Brown located with his young wife on a vast tract of timbered land, consisting of two hundred and forty acres, in Vernon township. The site of the home farm is now owned by David Weaver. Here the new settler built his log cabin and for some thirty years engaged in clearing and cultivating his land. In 1869 he sold this property and then purchased a farm of three hundred acres in Auburn township and resided there some ten years, and then disposed of that property to purchase another tract of three hundred and four acres, in Springfield township, near Crestline, and here he lived until the time of his death, on August 9, 1890. Mr. Brown was a man of intellect and was conspicuous for his strong sense of justice. If his employes worked even but one hour over the stipulated time they received a compensation for it. In politics he was a Democrat and was one of the leaders in his party, efficiently serving in almost all of the local offices. Both he and his wife were consistent members of the Methodist church, where they were held in the highest esteem.

The mother of our subject was born near Steubenville, Ohio, in 1808, and passed out of life on June 30, 1889. Her parents died while she was a child and she was reared in a neighbor's family. The family born to William Brown and wife consisted of ten children, six of these still surviving, as follows: Joseph D., who is the subject of this sketch; Elizabeth, who is the widow of Norman Martin, of Richland county; George C, of Crestline; Martha J., who is the wife of Rev. H. B. Miller, of Wooster, Ohio; Mary, who is the widow of A. D. Seibert, of La Grange county, Indiana: and Amanda, who is the widow of Joseph Lewis, of Monroeville, Indiana.

Joseph D. Brown, who is the subject of this sketch, was born in Richland county, Ohio, on May 27, 1832, and he was a son of William and Sarah (Ellis) Brown. His rearing was in the pioneer Imme and his education was acquired in the common schools of his neighborhood. On March 1. 1855, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Dickson, who was a native of Auburn township, in Crawford county, and who was a daughter of Andrew Dickson. In 1852 Mr. Brown made preparations to make a trip to California, but his mother opposed the project and he delayed starting until the following spring. Then he prepared to go to the far west and open up a hotel, in association with another man, but the latter failed him at the last moment, and our subject decided to abandon the idea. Hence he purchased eighty acres of land near Liberty Corners, in Vernon township, and settled upon it after his marriage, engaging extensively in the raising of cattle and sheep, being especially successful in the management of the latter. As time went on Mr. Brown was able to purchase more land and improve it. increasing his farm to two hundred and fifty acres, and finally, in 1883, sold two hundred acres for seventeen thousand dollars.

In 1878 our subject rented his farm to his son-in-law and moved into Tiro and built the residence now occupied and owned by Mr. George Owens, and established the general store, after erecting the building, which is now Conducted by \Y. A. Brown, his son. In 1883 he sold his farm and purchased one hundred and seventy acres of George Carrothers. which was located immediately south of the town, and resided there until 1896, when, on.account of an accident to Mrs. Brown, by which she broke a limb, he decided to remove to Tiro, where both he and wife have resided in comfortable retirement ever since.

Mr. and Mrs. Brown have had seven children, their names being as follows: David C, Georgiana and Martha E., all deceased; Mary A., the wife of John Brown, Jr.; Willis A., of whom a biography appears in this volume; Josephine, the wife of J. M. Van Tilburg; and John E., of Pasadena, California. These children were all given the best possible educational advantages and reflect credit upon their careful rearing, and have become representative citizens in the various localities where they have made their homes.

In politics Mr. Brown is liberal, with a tendency toward Democratic doctrine, while in voting he selects from the various tickets. He has efficiently served several terms as township treasurer, and is one of the reliable and esteemed residents of the county. Both he and wife are among the leading members of the Presbyterian church in Tiro, and Mr. Brown is a liberal supporter of every charitable and benevolent enterprise connected with the church or that promises to benefit the community.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

WILLIS A. BROWN.

One of the leading business men of Crawford county, Ohio, who is financially interested in many of its prominent industries and who is cashier of the Farmers' & Citizens' Bank of Tiro, is Willis A. Brown, who also owns and manager the leading mercantile business of this prosperous town. Willis Brown was born in Liberty Corners, in Vernon township, Crawford county, on July 22, 1859, anc ne was a son °f* Joseph D. and Sarah J. 1 Dickson) Brown, and a grandson of William Brown, who was a pioneer in Richland county in 1830. Seven children were born to the parents of Willis A. Brown, and our subject is one of the four survivors, the others being: Mary A., who is the wife of John Brown, Jr., of Vernon township;

Josie S., who is the wife of J. M. Van Tilburg, the postmaster of Tiro; and John E., who is a resident of Pasadena, California.

Willis A. Brown grew to manhood under the parental roof, and finished the common-school course before entering upon a business career, for which he has seemed peculiarly well fitted. In March. 1879, he entered the store of Brown & Davis, the former representing his father, in the capacity of a salesman. One year later the senior Mr. Brown purchased the interest of Mr. Davis and during the two succeeding years Willis proved to his father's satisfaction that he possessed the attributes which would enable him to become a successful man of business. In 1881 our subject and his brother-in-law. I. M. Van Tilburg, succeeded Mr. Joseph D. Brown in the business, the firm name being Brown and Van Tilburg, but two years later Mr. M. L. Callin purchased the interest of Mr. Van Tilburg and the firm name changed to Brown & Callin. This connection continued for two years at the end of which period our subject became the sole proprietor and successfully managed the growing interests by himself until in 1893, when his father-in-law. J. H. Stevens, was admitted into partnership, the latter purchasing a one-half interest, and the firm name was changed to Brown & Stevens. Three years later our subject again became the sole owner and since that time has most judiciously managed the affairs of the old and established house, with which his family name has been so long connected.

Mr. Brown is one of the progressive and energetic young men of the county and his mind has long been exercised concerning other business enterprises. One result was his organization, in April. [896, of the Farmer's & Citizens' Bank of Tiro, with Mr. A. C. Robinson as president, Joseph 1). Brown as vice-president and our subject as cashier, with Mr. C. L. Morton as assistant cashier. In April, 1899, Mr. Robinson died and Mr. J. M. Dickson purchased the interest of Mr. Robinson and was made president of the bank, since which time the officers of the institution have remained the same, with the exception of the withdrawal of Mr. Morton. This bank is recognized as one of the sound financial institutions of the county and its organizers and officers are men of the highest financial responsibility and (if unimpeachable integrity.

The marriage of Mr. Brown was on September 5. 1883. when he was united in marriage to Miss Nora Stevens, who was the daughter of J. H. Stevens, the latter now making his home with our subject. Four children have been born to this union, these being: Stevens W.; Sherman J., deceased; Sadie E.; and Edna A. Fraternally he is connected with Tiro Lodge, Xo. 592,

K. of P., of which he was a charter member. In political life he has been prominently identified with the Democratic party, and was made a member of the first board of election in the county, but he resigned that office to become postmaster, under the administration of President Cleveland, serving in that official capacity during both presidential terms. For some ten years Mr. Brown was the very satisfactory township treasurer and for two years he served with efficiency on the school board. All of his family are members of the Lutheran church and to this religious body he is liberal in his support of all Christian work.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOHN BROWN, Jr.

John Brown, one of the wealthy and influential agriculturists of Crawford county, is a native son of the Buckeye state, his birth having occurred in Vernon township, Crawford county, on the 27th of February, 1849. His father, John Brown, Sr., was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, on the 12th of March, 1 819. His father died when he was but an infant, and his mother, Catherine Brown, reared her family of five children, two of whom, Gottlieb, of Ottawa county, Ohio, and John, still survive. The latter grew to manhood in his native country, and there learned the baker's trade, which he there followed until 1847.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

The subject of this review is a man of much influence in his community, for he is highly respected, and is justly regarded as a man of sound judgment in public affairs as well as in matters relating to the farm. The property which he now owns is located in Vernon township, and is one of the best improved and fertile farms of the locality.

Mr. Brown is a native son of Crawford county, his birth having occurred in Vernon township, on the 24th of April, 1852, a son of John and Catherine (Kinney) Brown. He was early injured to the labors of field and meadow, and his educational advantages were those afforded by the common Schools of the neighborhood. At the early age of seventeen years he beg'an his career as a farm hand, working for neighboring farmers until after his marriage, when he located on a farm of one hundred and thirty acres belonging to his father-in-law, in Vernon township, making his home thereon for two years. In 1880 he became the owner of the farm which he now occupies, consisting of one hundred and thirty acres, and here lie has ever since made his home. He has been very successful in his farming operations, and in addition to the raising of the cereals best adapted to this soil and climate he is also extensively engaged in the breeding of Aberdeen and Durham cattle. For a number of years he was also engaged in the breeding of Shire and Norman horses, but of late years he has paid but little attention to that branch of business. In the spring of 1900 he acquired a two-thirds interest in a one-hundred-acre farm, formerly known as the Carlisle place, and his present fine residence was erected in 1893.

The marriage of Mr. Brown was celebrated in January. 1878, when Miss Clara McManus became his wife. She is a daughter of William McManus. Two children have been born unto this union, — Frank and John W., both at home. The Democracy receives. Mr. Brown's hearty support and co-operation, and religiously he is a member of the German Lutheran church, in which he is an active and zealous worker. He is well known as a public-spirited citizen, and exhibits among his excellent traits of character honesty, integrity and sterling worth.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Jacob Brown is one of the thrifty and substantial farmers of Crawford county, where he has passed his entire life. Personally he bears a high reputation for honorable and upright dealing with his fellow men, and is always found in the front rank in the world of improvement and public benefit.

Mr. Brown was born in Vernon township, Crawford county, on the 28th of November, 1855, a son of John and Catherine Brown. He acquired a limited education in the common schools of his locality, and as early as nine years of age he was following the plow, making a hand at farm work, and from that time until reaching years of maturity he spent much of his time in working for neighboring farmers. After his marriage he rented one of his father-in-law's farms for three years, the place consisting of two hundred and ten acres, and was located west of the place on which he now resides. In 1881 he became the owner of eighty acres of his present homestead, which he purchased of his father-in-law, and by unremitting labor and close attention to business success has attended his efforts. In 1893 ne purchased eighty acres of land adjoining his home on the west, formerly known as the Cole place, thus makinghim the possessor of one hundred and sixty acres of rich and fertile land. Here he is successfully engaged in general farming and in the raising of Shorthorn cattle. His fields are under a fine state of cultivation, and in both branches of his business prosperity has abundantly rewarded his well-directed efforts.

On the lath of October, 1875, Mr. Brown was united in marriage with Miss Mary Schwerer, also a native of Vernon township, and a daughter of George and Elizabeth ( Heltman) Schwerer. The parents were born in Darmstadt, Germany, and their marriage was celebrated just prior to their embarking on their journey for the new world. After their arrival in America they spent a short time in Pennsylvania and then continued the journey to Mansfield, Ohio, where they remained for some years, when they came to Crawford county, locating in Leesville. Later they removed to the farm which adjoins our subject's place on the east, and there they are now spending the evening of life in the enjoyment of the fruits of their former toil.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Brown have been born four children, namely: William J., who operates one of his father's farms; Elsie M., wife of Aaron Cole, of Vernon township; and Ralph W. and Edmon E., who are still at home. Mr. Brown gives his political support to the Democracy, but has refused to allow his name to be used in connection with public office, as the honors or emoluments of public positions have had no attraction for him. The family are members of the German Lutheran church, and for a number of years he has held the office of steward therein. His life has been characterized by energy, perseverance and hard work, and to these principles his success is due. He began his career under adverse circumstances, having been compelled to make his own way in the world, and his success in life illustrates most forcibly the power of patient and persistent effort and self-reliance.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

The prominent and influential citizen of Jefferson township, Crawford county, Ohio, whose name is the title of this article, was born in Sandusky township, Crawford county, Ohio, December 16, 1832, a son of Joseph Brown, who was an early settler in Ohio.

Joseph Brown was born near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and early in life learned the carpenter's trade. In company with his brother-in-law, Nicholas Tustison, he came to Ohio with an ox team and located within the present borders of Jefferson township, Crawford county, where he took up eighty acres of government land on the usual contract of one dollar and a quarter an acre. He married Elizabeth Swarty, daughter of Sebastian Swarty a Revolutionary soldier who was with Washington when he made his perilous crossing of the Delaware. After his marriage he built a log cabin on his land and pushed forward the work of clearing and improving the farm as rapidly as possible.

After a brief absence from his native township, Sebastian Brown returned to Jefferson, where from the age of nine years he attended the common schk w ils, and afterward worked on his father's farm until he married and began life for himself. Margaret Fox became his wife March 15, 1859, and bore him six children, the following facts concerning whom will be found interesting in this connection. Their daughter Emma died at the age of eighteen months. Their son Joseph M. lives at Crestline, Ohio. Their son James A. lives on the family homestead with his father. Their son Willard is a farmer in Clinton county, Michigan. Their son Homer K. lives at Crestline, Ohio. Their daughter Laura B. is a member, of their household. For a year after his marriage Mr. Brown lived in Richland county, Ohio. From there he removed to Defiance county, Ohio, on eighty acres of wild land which he bought of his father and on which he lived two years.

In 1864 Mr. Brown enlisted as a private in Company I, Forty-seventh Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was in battle at Stone River, Cumberland, Kenesaw Mountain, Mission Ridge and Marietta, Georgia, and started with Sherman on his march to the sea. At Burford, Georgia, he was taken sick and was sent to Chattanooga and afterward to a hospital at Nashville. He soon recovered and rejoined his regiment, but was again taken ill and was eventually sent back to his home in Jefferson township. In 1865 he returned to Defiance county, Ohio, where he lived until 1870. In the year last mentioned he moved on his eighty-acre farm in Jefferson township, which he has improved into a valuable property. While he is not a politician in the ordinary sense of the term, he is active in township affairs, and for six years he has held the office of township trustee and has come to be known for a liberal public spirit which impels him to give his support to every measure which promises to promote the general good. He has kept alive memories of the Civil war through his membership of.Snyder Post, Grand Army of the Republic, of Crestline, Ohio.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JESSE G. BROWN, one of the live business men of Gallon, O., progressive in his ideas and enterprising in his undertakings, is proprietor of the Old Reliable Piano Store, which is situated on the corner of Walnut and South Market streets, and has additional business interests. He was born on a farm in Champaign county, O., near Kingston, in 1858, and is a son of John and Anna (Myers) Brown.

John Brown and wife were born in Berks county. Pa., of old Dutch ancestry, and were reared and married there. In the forties they came to Champaign county, O., locating on a farm and spent their subsequent lives there. well known and highly respected, his death occurring at the age of 58 years. After being left a widow, JVlrs. Brown moved to urbana and died there in 1908, when aged 89 years. Both she and husband were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. 1 hey had eleven children and of these one son and three daughters died in early childhood and seven reached maturity. Elizabeth is a resident of Urbana, Champaign county. Sallie J. resides at Urbana and is the widow of E. M. Most and she has four sons. David H., a county official, lives at Urbana with his wife. Eliza is the widow of E. B. Kiser and lives at Urbana with her four daughters. James and John, twins, the former of whom is a business man of Springfield, O., unmarried, while the latter is a railroad man and is married and has one son.

Jesse G. Brown was reared in Champaign county and obtained his education at Urbana. When 19 years of age he accepted a commercial position and went out on the road and for about 20 years traveled over the country, his business taking him into almost every State of the Union, his line being the selling of pianos. He was thus engaged until he determined to go into business for himself and those Gallon, of which city he had already been a resident for six years, as a good business field, establishing his present store in 1889. He carries a fine line of high grade musical goods, including the Ivers-Pond pianos of Boston, the Adam Schaafer, of Chicago, together with a special make of piano, with new and admirable features, the J. G. Brown piano, which is specially manufactured for him in New York City. He also has the exclusive agency for the Edison phonographs, for which the demand is large. Mr. Brown has been public spirited in promoting many of the business enterprises of Galion and owns stock in many of them. As a pastime Mr. Brown interested himself some 20 years ago in horticulture and fruit growing but the pastime has developed into a large business and he is known all over the state for the products of his fine orchards and his success in the growing of all kinds of fruit that will mature in this climate. Mr. Brown still finds enjoyment in his experiments and has solved many horticultural problems.

At Galion, O., Mr. Brown was married to

Miss Minnie Gledhill, who is a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Hershner) Gledhill. This substantial family of Crawford county is well known and is one of the old settled ones of Jefferson township, members of the United Brethren church, to which religious body Mr. and Mrs. Brown also belong. They have three children; Claudia O., a graduate of the Galion High School, who married E. Landis Miller, an Erie Railroad official, residing at Galion; Hazel F., who is a graduate of the Galion High School in the class of 1908; and Jesse Gledhill, who is yet a school boy.

In politics Mr. Brown is a Republican. While he has not accepted any political office he is a charter member of the Commercial Club, of which he has been president and otherwise officially connected, at present being chairman of the entertainment committee. He has been the chief over in many of the recent successful enterprises organized to make this city more widely known as a desirable place in which to establish both a home and business. He belongs to Lodge No. 186 Knights of Pythias and is a past official of the State Grand Lodge, and belongs also to the Odd Fellows at Galion.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

WILLIAM S. BROWN.

William S. Brown, who is now actively connected with the railway service as engineer of the Pittsburg. Fort Wayne & Chicago line, and makes his home in Crestline, was born in Crawford county, August 20, 1862. His father, Joseph Brown, was also a native of the same county, and was born July 7, 1834. The grandfather became one of the early settlers of this portion of the state, arriving in Crawford county with a rifle, which was all the property that he had in the world. His energy, resolute spirit and capable management, however, enabled him to secure a handsome competence. He occupied six hundred and forty acres of land, some of which he entered from the government, and at his death he still owned a valuable tract of one hundred and forty acres, having in the meantime sold the other portion of his property. Joseph Brown was reared to farm life and from his father he inherited a large and desirable tract of land. He lived upon this farm for fifty-seven years and was one of the best known agriculturists of the community. He married a Miss Smith, who was born in the town of Frederick, Wayne county, Ohio, September 14, 1837, and pursued her education in one (if the log schoolhouses that were common at that day. In 1854 she came to Crestline with her father, who was a prominent business man of this city, connected with the lumber trade and with the clothing business. In his political views Joseph Brown was first a Whig, but in 1856 he voted for James Buchanan and afterward became a Republican. He died on the old homestead in 1896, and thus passed away one of the honored pioneer settlers of Crawford county.

AYilliam S. Brown, whose name introduces this record, spent his boyhood days in his father's home, pursued his education in Crestline, and at the age of twenty-one years he entered upon his business career, following farming and also working in a sawmill for his father, devoting two years to the latter business. He then entered the railway service, being employed as a fireman on the Pennsylvania line in 1885, acting in that capacity for seven years, after which he was promoted to engineer in 1892. Through fifteen years he has been in the employ of the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago road, and during that time has had only one accident and that was of a very slight character, no one being injured. The car, however, broke down on account of being overloaded. Mr. Brown is devoted to his work and the responsible duties that devolve upon him, discharging them with careful faithfulness, allowing nothing to interfere with them.

In 1887 occurred the marriage of William S. Brown and Miss Luella Walters, who was born in Richland county. Ohio, July 22, 1862, and is a daughter of George and Mary jane (Simpson) Walters. Her parents were born in Richland county, and there the father died, but the mother is still living. Mrs. Brown was educated in Crestline and by her marriage has become the mother of two children: Helen May and Ruth Lucile, both natives of Crestline, the former born January 17, 1889, the latter July 7, 1891. Mr. Brown is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity, the Maccabees and for nine years has been connected with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen. His political support is given to the men and measures of the Republican party and in religious faith he and his wife are Methodists, holding membership in the church of that denomination in Crestline.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOHN HARVEY BROWN,* deceased, was a well known, respected and industrious citizen of Gabon, O., in which city he was born March 5, 1867, while his death occurred May 21, 1897, at Vicksburg, Miss., his burial being at Gabon, lie was a son of Harvey and Lucy (Harper) Brown, both of whom were natives of Ohio.

John Harvey Brown attended the public schools of Gabon and as he had natural talent in that direction, learned the machinist trade and was employed in different railroad shops as a competent machinist, until the time of his death. He was a member of the trade organization known as the Machinists’ Union, and politically was identified with the Republican party. He had many friends as he was pleasant and genial in manner and was ever ready to do others a kindness.

Mr. Brown was married at Gabon, O., to Miss Mary Boehm, who was born at Gabon, Feb. 27, 1870, a daughter of Henry and Margaret ( Price) Boehm. The mother of Mrs. Brown was born in Ohio but her father was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, June 1, 1841, and came to Gabon in June, 1866, where he followed shoemaking, having learned his trade in his native land, for more than 40 years. Lie now lives retired at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Brown, at No. 514 South Market street. She also owns a valuable property on Boston street and her father has nine acres of productive land near the city. The mother of Mrs. Brown died in 1907, when aged 68 years. She was a member of the German Lutheran church, to which her husband and daughter also belong. Mr. Brown is survived by two sons, Peter Henry and William f. The older son is learning his father’s trade in one of the big city shops, while the younger is yet a student in the Gabon High School.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.