The Brown Families of Linn County, Iowa

HON. NICHOLAS B. BROWN.

Nicholas B. Brown, deceased, was one of the honored pioneers and representative citizens of Cedar Rapids, where he made his home for forty years. He was born in Sussex county, New Jersey, July 10, 1814, and was a self-educated as well as a self-made man, having none of the school privileges and other advantages usually afforded the boys of the present day. His father was a miller and as a young man our subject followed the millwright's trade, which he acquired in Pennsylvania.

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Mr. Brown was united in marriage. May 8, 1852, with Miss Susan Emery, who was born at Demons Ferry, Pike county, Pennsylvania, August 19, 1824, a daughter of Nathan and Cornelia (Broadhead) Emery. Her ancestors came from England at an early day and settled in Pennsylvania, where her parents always made their home. The father died there at the age of ninety, the mother at the age of eighty years. Of their eleven children, four are still living, namely: Oliver and Mrs. Brown, both residents of Cedar Rapids; and Mrs. H. E. Higley and Miss M. E. Emery, both of Florida.

When Mr. Brown brought his bride to Cedar Rapids it was but a small village, and she has watched with interest its growth and advancement. Five children were born to them, but three died in early childhood. Those living are Nathan E., who is married and resides in Cedar Rapids, and Harry T., who lives with his mother.

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Mrs. Brown received a good academic education and prior to her marriage successfully engaged in teaching school in Pennsylvania for a number of years. As a stranger she accompanied her husband to their new home in Cedar Rapids, but at once adapted herself to the place, and became interested in the welfare of the community. Since his death she has erected a very large modern brick residence on the site of their old home, and has ably managed her business affairs. He left considerable property, all of which lies within the city limits. Although quite advanced in years Mrs. Brown is still well preserved. She, too, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to wliich she is a liberal contributor, and formerly took an active part in church and charitable work. She is beloved by a large circle of friends and acquaintances, and is held in high regard by all who know her.

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

E. BROWN, of the Merchant Mills at Cedar Rapids, is a native of that city, and has lived there since his birth. He was born April 9, 1853, and is a son of Nicholas B. and Susan (Emery) Brown, natives of New Jersey and Pennsylvania respectively. Nicholas Brown was one of the early settlers of Cedar Rapids, having first come to that city in 1840, and was second to none in contributing his means, his energy and his time in the upbuilding and growth of that city. He continued to reside there until his death, and in the meantime had, in company with others, developed the water-power at that place and erected a gristmill, which he successfully operated until 187C. His biography is given in this work. The subject of this notice then took charge of the mill and his father continued in the real-estate business, in which he was engaged in connection with the mill. He built a woolen-mill at Cedar Rapids and conducted the same until 1873, when it was converted into a knitting factory, which he operated until 1876. He built the Southern Hotel in that city in 1870, and was also engaged in mercantile business at that place, and has done much toward its improvement and advancement. Of this union five children were born, only two of whom are living at this writing: Harry T., a resident of Cedar Rapids, and the subject of this notice. The father departed this life in 1880.

The subject of this notice received his education in the schools at Cedar Rapids, which he supplemented by a year's study in Edward's Place School, Stockbridge, Mass. He then commenced clerking e£sa for his father, being at that time seventeen years old. When eighteen, he was given charge of the woolen-mills, which he conducted until they were changed to knitting-mills in 1876. He then, with his father, went to Colorado, where they erected a saw and smelting mill, and which our subject operated for their joint interest one year, when a snowslide destroyed everything. Our subject then returned to Cedar Rapids and engaged in running the Brown Merchant Mill, which has a capacity of seventy-five barrels per day, and has continued in that business until the present time. Mr. Brown has city property, including lots and residences, which he rents, and has accumulated quite a goodly portion of this world's goods. Politically he is a Democrat, and socially a member of the Masonic fraternity.

Our subject was married to Miss Louise M. Baker, a native of Minnesota, and daughter of V. M. Baker, now of Cedar Rapids. Three children have been born to gladden their household, and have been named, (Susan, Annie and Emery. Mr. Brown is one of the representative business men of Cedar Rapids, as well as a respected and honored citizen.

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

daughter of Lemuel and Ruth ( Hardinger) Chapman, both natives of Pennsylvania, who when young removed to Ohio and ' were there married. They made their home in Ashland county, where the father was engaged in farming throughout his active business life. His wife survived him a number of years, he dying in that county, while his widow died in DeKall) county, Indiana. They were the parents of thirteen children, namely: William, who died in Ohio; Nathaniel and Daniel, who both died in Linn county, Iowa; Mrs. Sarah Bemmenderfer; Julia A., of this review; Wilson, a resident of Michigan; Mrs. Elizabeth Bemmenderfer; Mrs. Mary Duncan, deceased; Lewis, a resident of Indiana; Mrs. Nancy Shadrick, of Nebraska; Mrs. Jane Duncan, deceased; Ellen, who resides with Mrs. Brown; and Richard, a resident of Ohio. Mrs. Brown spent her early life in her native county and when a young lady came to Linn county, Iowa, in 1853, to visit her brother, Nathaniel Chapman, one of the first settlers of this county. She returned to Ohio in the fall of the same year, and was there married December 22, 1853, to Horace N. Brown, who was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, April 6, 1822, and was quite young when he came to Iowa. His father, Nathan Brown, was a native of Westchester county. New York, and was married in Onondaga county, that state. On coming west in 1838, he first located in Geneva, Kane county, Illinois, and two years later came to Linn county, Iowa, taking up his residence in Brown township, which was named in his honor. Mrs. Brown's husband assisted in building the first school house in Linn township, where he pursued his studies for a time, his sister being the first teacher employed there.

Mr. and Mrs. Brown became acquainted while she was visiting her brother in this county. They began their domestic life upon a tract of land in Brown township, which he had previously entered, and on which he erected a hewed-log house, making it their home for a few years, while he opened up and improved his farm. Subsequently it was replaced by a neat and commodious residence; two large barns and other outbuildings were also erected; and fruit and shade trees were planted. As time passed and he prospered in his farming operations Mr. Brown added to the original tract until he owned nearly seven hundred acres of rich and arable land all in one body. He always gave considerable attention to the raising and feeding of cattle and hogs for market, and some seasons fed as high as one hundred head of cattle and five hundred hogs upon his farm. He was one of the most energetic and successful agriculturists and stock dealers in the eastern part of the county. He continued in active business up to the time of his death, which occurred in the spring of 1893, and he was laid to rest in the Springville cemetery by the side of his parents.

In his political affiliations Mr. Brown was a Democrat, but he never cared for official honors. In early life, however, he served as justice of the peace and was president of the school board for a number of years. He also filled the office of county treasurer one term prior to his marriage, having been elected to that position soon after attaining his majority. He was a believe in Prohibition and often made temperance speeches, while religiously he was a consistent and faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church. lie was a Knight Templar Mason and a prominent member (if the order. As a citizen lie was public-spirited and progressive, ever ready to aid in any enterprise calculated to advance the interests of his township or county, and was recognized as one of the leading citizens of the community.

On the death of her husband Mrs. Brown took charge of the farm and business, and in the successful management of her affairs has displayed wonderful Inisiness and executive ability. As a foreman she employs John McAtee, who has superintended the operation of the farm for the past eight years, and also worked on the place for several years prior to her husband's death. Although she has no children of her own she has reared four, two of whom were her brother's children. All are now grown and married with the exception of one. She has also given homes to several others, and her place is often called the Orphans' Home. She, too, is an active and devout member of the methodist Episcopal Church, and gave liberally toward the erection of the church and parsonage at Springville, Quiet and unassuming, she delights in aiding those in need and has given generously to suffering humanity and worthy causes. She stands high in the community where she has so long made her home, and those who know her best are numbered among her warmest friends.

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

JOHN BROWN, a well-to-do farmer of Boulder Township, residing on section 81, is a pioneer of this county of 1850. His parents were Jacob and.Margaret (Houk) Brown, natives of Germany, where they both died. Our subject was the youngest of his parents' family of eleven children, and was born in Germany, July 19, 1815.

Our subject emigrated to the United States when he was about twenty-two years of age. He landed at New York, and being unable to obtain work in that city, went almost directly to Buffalo, and from there to Toledo, Ohio. Remaining in the latter place a short time, he went to Fairfield County, that State, and there lived until 1850. During the latter year he came to this county, and since that time has here been actively engaged in agricultural pursuits. On his arrival in the county he purchased eighty acres of land located on sections 31 and 32, Boulder Township, and settling on the former section, he has since continued to live upon it. He has improved his land, brought it to a high state of cultivation, erected thereon good and substantial buildings, and added to his original purchase until he is at, present the proprietor of 185 acres of good land, all in Boulder Township.

Mr. Brown was married in Fairfield Count\. Ohio, Feb. 11, 1847, to Mary E. Minehart, a sister of John Minehart, whose biography is given in another part of this work, and in which a short sketch of her parents may be found. Miss Minehart was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, Sept. 6, L820, and has borne our subject six children — George W., William H., Lydia A., Sarah, Caroline and Katie. George W. married Margaret Brown, and is a farmer of Boulder Township; William II. took to wife Amanda Smith, and he is also a farmer in Boulder Township; Lydia is the wife of John Drexler and they are likewise living in Boulder Township; Sarah married Thomas Hill, who also lives in that township; Caroline married Thomas Rogers, and died in Boulder Township in the spring of 1878; Katie is the wife of George Betzer, and they are living in Cedar Rapids. Mrs. Brown departed this life in Boulder Township, June 20, 1886.

Our subject has held some of the minor offices of his township. Religiously he is a member of the Reform Church as likewise was his wife, and in politics he votes with the Democratic party.

A fine lithograph view of the handsome residence, commodious barns and out-buildings on the farm of Mr. Brown, is shown on another page of this work.

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

FRANK J. BROWN.

This energetic and enterprising farmer, residing on section 2" Bertram township, was born on the 29th of Octoljer, 1868. in New York, and is a son of John and Phoebe (Brunk) Brown, both of whom were natives of New York, the former bkirn October 30, 1826. in Schoharie county, and the latter October 11, 1835. They were married in the Empire state July 4, 1855, and when our subject was nine months old removed with their fanny to Iowa, locating in Cedar county. About 1872 they came to Mt. Vernon, Linn county, where Frank attended school until 1878, when they located on a farm north of that place, and he became a student in the district school known as Laurel Hill, remaining there eight years. The father died in September, i88r, and was laid to rest in the Mt. Vernon cemetery. Subsecjuently the mother removed to Saline county, Nebraska, and rented a farm, which she operated with the assistance of our subject for two years. For her second husband she married Joseph Harvey. She died in December. 1891, and was also buried in Mt. Vernon, Iowa. The children born of her first marriage were Irvin, a resident of Minnesota, wiio first married Addie SaNvyer and after her death wedded Becky Harkness; Almyra, wife of John Howsel, of Spokane, Washington; Hettie. wife of James Resell, of Denver. Colorado; Frank J., our subject; Minnie, a resident of ilt. Vernon, Iowa; and Malissa. of State Center. Iowa.

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

CARLE D. BROWN

One of the native sons of Iowa who has won success in his business affairs is Carle D. Brown, now secretary, treasurer and manager of the Commercial Art Press and the Commercial. Art Engravers. He was born in Webster City, Iowa. on the 22d of September, 1876, and is a son of William John and Ida Florence (Branch) Brown, both of whom are still living, being now residents of Cedar Rapids. The father is a sign writer by trade and for some years was employed in the internal revenue department of the government.

After attending the public schools, Carle D. Brown learned the printer's trade in the Freeman office at Webster City, at which he worked for four years on a country newspaper and then went on the road as salesman for an advertising firm. He was next engaged in the advertising business on his own account for three years in southwestern Missouri and from 1901 to 1903 was employed on the Cedar Rapids Gazette. The following year he became, general manager of the printing department of the Interstate Schools of Cedar Rapids and was connected therewith until April, 1908, when he formed the company of which he is now secretary and treasurer.

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

H. T. BROWN

II. T. Brown needs no introduction to the readers of this volume, for he is a representative of one of the honored pioneer families of Cedar Rapids. He was born at the old homestead in this city. September 18, 1857, and has come to be numbered among the capitalists here, giving his attention to las invested interests, his estate being a large one. His education was acquired in the public schools and in Mount Vernon, where he devoted a year to study. At nineteen years of age he went to Colorado, where he became interested in mining, remaining there from 1877 until 1879. On the expiration of that period he returned to Cedar Rapids, where he has since resided, looking after his estate.

Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Cottrell. Theirs is a beautiful home, recently completed, at No. 1212 North Eleventh street. Mr. Brown takes a very active part in the affairs of Cedar Rapids, being deeply interested in the city in which he has always maintained his home save for a brief period of two years. With many projects which have been instituted for the benefit, of this city he has been closely identified, and his support can always be counted upon to further progressive public, measures. His circle of friends is almost, coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance and his social relations are with those that have ever represented the progress and culture of the city.

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