The Brown Families of Muscatine County, Iowa

THOMAS M. BROWN, farmer. Sec. 34; P. 0. Letts; born in Indiana in 1832; his parents, Matthew and Julia F. Brown, came to Muscatine Co. in 1838, and settled in Cedar Tp.; his father had been engaged in surveying Government land in this part of the State for several years previous to that time; he died in June, 1842; his mother is still living and resides with Thomas. He married in 1856 Sophia Ferry, a native of the State of New York; has six children — Horace, Myra, Julia, Hugh, Vesta and an infant. Mr. Brown enlisted in 1862 in the 35th I. V. I.; was First Sergeant of his company; served over three years; was at the seine of Vicksburg, battle of Nashville, etc.; was in Banks' Red River expedition; was wounded at the battle of Mobile, from the effects of which he still suffers. His farm contains 240 acres.

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

HUGH P. BROWN, who resides on section 2, Cedar Township, is one of the pioneer settlers of Muscatine County of 1837. lie was born in Union County, Ind., Jan. 15, 1835, and is a son of Matthew and Julia (Brumake) Brown. In connection with his father, Col. Thomas M. Brown, Matthew Brown was employed by the Government to survey the Black Hawk Purchase. He completed the survey in 1836, and, taking a fancy to the country, he removed his family to Muscatine County in 1837. In June, 1842, he was called to his final rest, leaving his loved companion to pursue life’s journey alone with her seven small children, five of whom grew to maturity, and are now settled in good, comfortable homes. In her declining years she can look back on a life well spent. While yet in her girl hood she united with the Methodist Episcopal

Muscatine County; Elnora, born Oct. 22, 1858, wedded Thomas E. Norris, of Letts ville, Iowa; Cordelia, wife of George W. Hankins, was born Nov. 3, 1860, and resides in Cedar Township, and Guy N., born April 27, 1875, is still with his parents.

After his marriage Mi. Brown sold a 40-acre farm which he had previously purchased, buying a sawmill, which he operated for nine years. Sellinothe mill, he then bought the Lord Ferry, which had previously been owned by his brother, and for about nineteen years continued its operations, and. with the help of a hand, also engaged in farming. At the expiration of that long period he traded the ferry, paying some difference, for the farm which he now owns, comprising 476 acres. Upon this land was a little log cabin, in which Mr. Brown still makes his home, it being the oldest house in the county now occupied. He carries on general farming, having the entire management of his land, 100 acres of which he has under cultivation, the remainder being used as pasturage, upon which he raises considerable stock. He raises a great many hogs, from forty to fifty head of cattle annually, and also gives some attention to the breeding of horses, owning now about sixteen head and three mules. He is a Democrat in politics, and has served in several official positions, having been School Director for five years while at the ferry, and has also served as Township Trustee. He has witnessed many- changes in this county, has seen almost its entire growth and development, and is numbered among the leading citizens of Cedar Township, being respected by all.

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

While Thomas Brown had passed the seventy-fifth milestone on life's journey at the time of his death, February 9, 191 1, he was still engaged in the practice of law. His mental powers seemed undiminished and keen discernment enabled him to analyze a law case with the readiness and ability which he displayed in earlier years. He also conducted a real-estate and loan office, and his example of active usefulness in the evening of life is one which might well be followed by many another man.

He was born in Knox county, Ohio, December 3, 1835, his parents being Garretson and Ann (Holland) Brown, the former a native of Maryland, and the latter of Virginia. The father made farming his life work, following that pursuit first in his native state, afterward in Ohio, and subsequently in Iowa, whither he came about 1871. He lived in Muscatine for one year and then located in Keokuk county, where he carried on agricultural pursuits until the weight of years forced him to put aside active duties. He died when more than eighty years of age, having for a few years survived his wife. Both were consistent members of the Methodist church, and their many good qualities of heart and mind gained for them the warm regard of all who knew them. Their family numbered seven children, five sons and two daughters, of whom three are now Hving: Reason, a farmer of Keokuk county, Iowa; Cassius M., an attorney of Sigourney, Iowa; and Ehzabelh, the widow of John Trotter and also a resident of Sigourney.

Thomas Brown was reared in the county of his nativity upon his father's farm, early becoming familiar with the work of plowing, planting and harvesting. He attended the district schools and afterward entered Millner Hall, a private school. Subsequently he continued his studies in Kenyon College, from which he was graduated with the class of 1861. In August of the same year he removed westward to Muscatine and secured a position as teacher in a private academy. To this work he devoted his time and energies until 1865 and then returned to his native state, becoming principal of the preparatory department of Kenyon College. After a year, however, he returned to Muscatine and taught in the academy of this city until 1872, when he went to Davenport and taught in Griswold College. There he studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1875. He returned to Muscatine for practice, and in connection with the duties of his profession he engaged in the conduct of a real-estate, loan and insurance business. He was a very active man and one whose labors were a force in the business enterprise and progress of the city.

On the 20th of August, 1862, Mr. Brown was married to Miss Mary J. Reed, a native of Mount Vernon, Ohio. They became parents of two daughters: Ida May, the wife of E. W. Smith; and Clara A., the wife of S. M. Hughes, the cashier of the First National Bank of Muscatine, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Brown were members of the Episcopal church, to which their daughters also belong. His political support was given to the republican party, and for six years he served as a member of the school board. The cause of education ever found in him a warm and helpful friend, and in fact he stood as the champion of all the measures and movements which he deemed essential to the general good. His successful work as an educator brought him wide renown, for his ability placed him prominently in the ranks of Iowa's teachers. His entire life, characterized by his loyalty to his honest convictions, whether in professional service, in society, religion or in citizenship, gained for him the warm regard of all with whom he was brought in contact.

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

NELSON S. BROWN.

Among the steady-going men of Muscatine county who have done a great deal of work in their lives and are now living practically retired, having attained a competence, may be named Nelson S. Brown, whose home is in Nichols, Pike township. He is a native of Sweden, born March 3, 1835, and is a son of Sebe and Rainel Brown, who were also natives of that country. The family emigrated to America in 1842, settling in Galesburg. Illinois, where the father worked in a wagon shop for two years and later as a carpenter. He also followed various other occupations until he retired at the age of seventy-two years. The mother died from cholera within a week after landing in America.

Nelson S. Brown came to America in boyhood with his parents and since the age of fifteen years has been dependent upon his own exertions. He began work in a blacksmith shop, but subsequently went to Des Moines, Iowa, where he attended school for one year, having previously received his early training in the schools of Galesburg. After laying aside his books he went to Huron, Iowa, where he conducted a blacksmith shop for three years, then moving to Northfield, Iowa, and continuing in the same line for five years. By this time he had become acquainted with the advantages of farming in Muscatine county and accordingly he traded all his property for forty acres of land in this county, which he proceeded to cultivate, at the same time having charge of a blacksmith shop for a period of twelve years. Selling out, he purchased eighty acres in Pike township but later removed to Davenport, where he made his home for twelve years. In 1893 he came to Nichols and opened a blacksmith shop, which was destroyed by fire. He later resumed work in the same line and is now conducting a flourishing establishment.

On the 16th of July, 1859, Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Susanne Nichols, of Des Moines county, Iowa, and five children blessed their union, three of whom are now living, namely: Henry J., a farmer of Pike township, Muscatine county; George W., now living on his father's farm in Pike township; and Elsie, the wife of James Jinn, of East Chicago, Indiana. Mrs. Brown having departed this life in 1885, our subject was married in 1904 to Mrs. Mary Anderson, of Clinton, Iowa, the widow of George Anderson, of Moline, Illinois.

Mr. Brown has been a resident of the United States for sixty years during a period of remarkable progress in every line of industry. He came to Iowa while the stream of immigration was still pouring in and has contributed according to his ability in the great movement that has made this state one of the most prosperous in the Union. In the course of his life he has made many friends by a readiness to oblige others and a kindness of heart with which he was endowed by worthy parents. He and his family are consistent members of the Methodist church and politically he is identified with the republican party. For two years he held the office of road supervisor of Sweetland township.

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

A. A. BROWN, far., Sec. 28; P. 0. Stockton; was born in Clarion Co., Ohio, April 26, 1844; came to Scott Co., Iowa, with his parents in 1853, thence to Wisconsin; removed to Muscatine Co. in 1856. He married in 1867 Miss M. M. Rider, a native of Ohio, born in 1845; they have three children — Carrie E., Belle M., and one unnamed. Mr. Brown has been three times elected Township Clerk; he owns eighty acres of a fine farm. Members of the Presbyterian Church; Republican.

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