The Brown Families of Fayette County, Ohio

S. W. BROWN.

' S. W. Brown was born, January 7, 1839, in Pickaway County, Ohio, where he spent the early part of his life. On January 24, 1861, he married Mary E., daughter of Benjamin and Martha Harrison, of Madison County, Ohio, by whom he has one daughter and one son; Emma A., twelve years of age, and Harry F., eight years old, both bright and promising children.

Mr. Brown's parents were natives of Delaware, and relatives of ex-President Polk. Mrs. Brown was born, April 12, 1838. She is.the grand daughter of Batteal Harrison, whose ancestors were among the early settlers of the colony of Virginia. Her great-grandfather, Benjamin Harrison, was a man constantly employed in active service. He was a member of Congress from 1774 to 1777. He voted for the Declaration of Independence in July,

1776, and signed it in the following August. In 1777 he resigned his seat in congress, but was immediately elected a member of the House of Burgesses, and elected to the speaker's chair. In 1782 he was elected governor of the state, which position he filled for two successive terms. He had just been elected to a third term when death ended his career — April, 1791.

Mr. and Mrs. Brown are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically, Mr. Brown is a conscientious Democrat, and a strong temperance man.

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

HARRISON F. BROWN.

A man's reputation is the property of the world, for the laws of nature have forbidden isolation. Every human being either submits to the controlling influence of others or fields an influence which touches, controls, guides or misdirects others. If he be honest and successful in his chosen field of endeavor, investigation will brighten his fame and point the way along which others may follow with like success. The reputation of Harrison F. Brown, one of the leading citizens and eft'cent public officials of Fayette county, is such, according to those who know him best, it is believed that a study of his career will be of benefit to the reader, for it has been one not only of honor but of usefulness also.

Harrison F. Brown, or Harry, as he is familiarly known among his. friends and acquaintances, is the schon of a sterling line of ancestors, who have been closely identified with the history of the Buckeye state in their respective communities. His paternal great-grandfather was Peter Brown, whose wife, Nancy Polk, was related to President James K. Polk. Among their children was Trusten Polk Thrown, who was a native of Sussex county, Delaware, as was his wife, Tabitha Wingate Cannon. The latter's parents were Jesse and Margaret Cannon, also natives of Delaware. Trusten and Tabitha Brown were brought to Ohio in their childhood, he when about six years of age, and she when two years younger, the two families settling in Deer Creek township, Pickaway county. There they grew to maturity and were married, and there they spent the rest of their days, he dying at the age of fifty-six years and she when sixty-six years old. To Trusten and Tabitha Brown were born the following children: Frank, Wesley, Trusten, Peter W., wSarah, Nancy, Elizabeth, Maria, Tabitha and Solomon Wesley.

Solomon W. Brown was reared in Pickaway county and throughout his active life he applied himself to the vocation of farming. Eventually, about 1867, he came to Fayette county, locating on the Benjamin Harrison farm in Paint township, where he remained until about 1900, when he came to

FAYETTE COrNTY, OHIO. 381

Washington C. H. and here he has since resided, enjoying that rest which he so richly earned. He married Mary Elizabeth Harrison, the daughter of Benjamin and Martha (Reeves) Harrison, and to them were born two children, Emma A., the wife of J. T. Morris, of Washington C. H., and Harrison, the immediate subject of this sketch.

The parents of Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Brown were natives of Ohio and the major portion of their lives were spent in Madison county, where their deaths occurred. Benjamin Harrison was a son of Gen. Batteal Harrison, who was a second cousin of ex-President Benjamin Harrison and who served with the rank and title of general in the War of 1812. His wife, Elizabeth (Scott) Harrison, was a native of Kentucky. For many years they resided in Fayette county and died here. Benjamin Harrison was a prominent and successful farmer and took a prominent part in the public affairs of his county, serving at one time as county commissioner. His wife, Martha ( Reeves) Harrison, was a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Jackson) Reeves, natives of Madison county, Ohio. To Benjamin and Martha (Reeves) Harrison were born five children, Mary Elizabeth, Batteal, Isabel, Angelina and Winnie S. Gen. Batteal Harrison was a son of Benjamin Harrison, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Harrison F. Brown was born on the paternal homestead in Paint township. Fayette county, Ohio, on the 4th day of April, 1873. He was reared amid the health-giving surroundings of country life and early imbibed those elements of industry, persistence and independence which have so largely contributed to his later success in life. He first attended the district schools and the high school at Bloomingburg, and then became a student in the National Business University, at Columbus, where he graduated at the age of twenty years, with a good practical knowledge of business methods and practices. During the following two years Mr. Brown was a traveling: salesman, but at the end of that period he located on a farm in Paint township, to the 6pertion of which he devoted himself with pronounced success until Xovember, 1909, when he moved to Washington C. H., where he has since resided. The farm of two hundred and sixty acres in Paint township is owned by Mrs. Brown, but Mr. Brown also owns a farm of three hundred and thirty acres in Green township, both tracts being well improved and valuable properties. On the ist of April, 1913, Mr. Brown entered into a partnership with J.* L. Rothrock in the livery business, in which they have met with pronounced success. They carry a large line of vehicles of every description demanded by the local trade and their turn-outs equal any in this locality. They are courteous and careful in their treatment of their custom-

Google ers and are numbered among the popular business firms of this city. On May I, 1914, Mr. Brown purchased his partner's interest and is now the sole owner of the business.

Politically, Harry Brown has been a life-long supporter of the Republican party and has long been an active worker in the ranks and prominent in the party councils. In recognition of his sterling qualities of character and his sound business ability, he was nominated and elected to the responsible office of county commissioner, and so satisfactory was his service in that capacity that he was re-elected and is thus now serving his second term. It is the consensus of public opinion that the county never had a more careful or efficient public official than Mr. Brown. Fraternally, he is a member of Leanore Lodge No. 512, Free and Accepted Masons, at Sedalia, Ohio; Fayette Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, at Washington C. H.; Garfield Commandery No. 128, Knights Templar, and is also a member of Washington Lodge No. 129. Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Mrs. Brown is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

On February 26. 1903, Harry Brown was married to Florence E. Selsor, a native of Paint township, this county, and the daughter of William J. and Electa J. (Morris) Selser, who were early settlers in Fayette county. To Mr. and Mrs. Brown have been born two children, Mary Elizabeth and William S.

William J. Selsor was born in Madison county, Ohio, and his wife in Fayette county. They were the parents of four children, namely: Idell Edna Dean (who died at the age of eighteen years), Florence Ethel (Mrs. Brown) and Ercell. Mrs. Brown's paternal grandparents were Fred and Mary (Rankin) Selsor, natives of Virginia, while her maternal grandparents were Samuel and Phoebe (Groves) Morris. Samuel Morris was born in Clermont county, this state, in 1805, and was brought to Fayette county in 181 3. Phoebe (Groves) Morris was born in Jackson county, Ohio, coming to Fayette county after her marriage. To this worthy couple were born eight children, Daniel Groves, Samuel Robinson, John Eulon, Electa J., William Warrington, Martin Wolf, Amanda Elizabeth and Elma Eliza. William J. Selsor died in 1909, being survived by his widow, who still resides in Washington C. H.

Mr. Brown has demonstrated himself to be a man of good business ability and marked enterprise. As a private citizen he takes a deep and abiding interest in all phases of the community life affecting the material, educational, social or moral welfare of the people, and his support is always given

Google to such movements as are conducive to the greatest public good. Personally, he is a genial and companionable man and enjoys a marked popularity in the community where he resides.

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

Benjamin Brown, farmer, a son of Hezekiah Brown, was born in September, 1843, on the old homestead, in this township, where he was reared, and has lived since. He was married, January 3, 1867, to Louisa Anna, daughter of J. B. Cutwright. Their union was blessed by eight children: Delia, Minnie, Henry, Frank, Mattie, Florence, Fannie, and Benjamin; Frank has passed away. Mr. Brown is a member in good standing of JSTew Holland Lodge, No. 392, F. & A. M.; is a Democrat, and has been since childhood; has held the office of township trustee. He owns one hundred and seventy-three acres of land, on the Waterloo road, in a good state of cultivation, and raises grain and stock successfully.

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

TOLEN E. BROWN.

To attain a worthy citizenship by a life that is honored and respected from childhood deserves more than passing mention. One may take his place in public life through some vigorous stroke of public policy and remain in the hearts of his friends and neighbors, but to gradually rise to the same position, winning through sterling worth and faithfulness to trust, rather than by a craving for popularity, is worthy of the highest praise and commendation. Such has been the life of Tolen E. Brown, a prosperous farmer of Madison township and the present recorder of Fayette county, Ohio. The people are demanding better officials today and when a man proves satisfactory in office, it is becoming the custom to re-elect him, an honor which has come to Mr. Brown in the office of county recorder.

Tolen E. Brown, the only child of Isaac and Belle ( Vance) Brown, was born in Madison county, Ohio, September 25, 1880. His father was reared in Madison county, and lived the life of a farmer there until his death, in 1881; his wife lives in this county. The parents of Isaac Brown were early settlers in Ross and Madison counties. Ohio, where they reared a family of four children, John, Isaac, Prudence and Anna. Isaac Brown's wife's parents were Thomas and Mary (Harrison) Vance, both natives of Ohio. Thomas Vance was a farmer and died in Fayette county in middle life, his wife still surviving him, at the advanced age of eighty-six years. Ten children were born to Thomas Vance and wife, Rolert, Batteal, Elizabeth. Rebecca. Benjamin, Martha, Fannie, Josephine, John and Belle, the wife of Isaac Brown.

Tolen E. Brown was reared in Madison, Ross and Fayette counties, Ohio, coming to Fayette county with his parents when he was eleven years

Google of age.. He received a good common school education in the district schools of these three counties. His father died when he was one year old and he lived with his mother and grandmother until reaching maturity. He married at the age of twenty-one and then began farming in Madison township, this county, where he has met with success commensurate with his efforts. He was farming in that township when was elected to the office of county recorder in the fall of 1910, and since that time has lived in Washington C. H. He is a Democrat in politics, and has served as township trustee of Madison township for one term before his election as county recorder, and so satisfactory was his first term that he was re-elected in the fall of 191 2, and is still performing the duties of that responsible position in a manner which indicates that he is a man of ability and efficiency.

Mr. Brown was married December 24, 1901, to Rosa F. Uhrig, the daughter of Philip and Laura (Hammond) Uhrig, and to this union were born two children, Selden E. and Beulah May, both of whom died in childhood. Mrs. Brown was born in Ross county, Ohio, her mother being a native of this state, while her father was born in Germany. Both of her parents are now living at Madison Mills, Ohio, where they moved after retiring from the farm. Philip Uhrig and wife are the parents of four children, Anna, Rosa, Carrie and Laura. ♦

Mr. and Mrs. Brown are both consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Fraternally, Mr. Brown belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Washington C. H. and the Knights of Pythias at Madison Mills, this county.

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

ROY E. BROWN, M. D.

Among those who stand as distinguished types of the world's workers the physician always commands a high place. One of the men of Washington C. H. who has attained distinction as a physician and surgeon is Dr. Roy E. Brown, a man of fine intellectual and professional attainments. He is devoted to his chosen calling, and has lent honor and dignity to the medical profession, having due regard for the highest standard of professional ethics and exhibiting marked skill in the treatment of disease. Not only as a physician is he known to the citizens of his county, but as a public-spirited man of affairs as well. He is active in all of the various phases of civic life in his community and has made a reputation for himself which extends beyond the limits of his city and county.

Dr. Roy E. Brown, the son of Henry H. and Ruth (Mclntyre) Brown, was born in Adams county, Ohio, October 13, 1875. Henry H. Brown was born in Ohio, and was a son of William Brown and wife, who in turn were natives of Kentucky and early settlers in Adams county, Ohio. William Brown was a merchant, farmer and politician, filling the offices of treasurer and auditor of Adams county for many years. His death occurred in that county at an advanced age. He and his wife reared a family of several children: Carey H., James W., Newton, Ronie, Margaret, and Henry, the father of Doctor Brown. Henry H. Brown was reared in Adams county, Ohio, and has been engaged as a merchant and manufacturer the most of his life. He came to Washington C. H. in 1884 and for several years engaged in the hardware business.

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