The Brown Families of Wapello County, Iowa

HUGH BROWN, an esteemed citizen of

Ottumwa, Iowa, was for many years engaged in farming in Richland township, Wapello county. He was born in County Derry, Ireland, January 25,

1818, and is a son of Samuel Brown.

The Brown family is of French descent. Samuel Brown was born in Ireland, and followed the trade of a miller and farmer. He married Miss L. Cannon, who is related to Lord Cannon, and they became parents of 11 children, of whom but two are now living, namely: Hugh and Thomas, — the latter being located at Kirkville, Iowa.

Hugh Brown came to the United States at the age of fifteen years, landing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he resided for three years. He then lived in Ohio until 1841, and during his early days followed farming, shoemaking and carpentering. He came to Wapello county, Iowa, in September, 1843, and purchased a claim of 160 acres in Richland township, and also 40 acres of timber land where the city of Ottumwa is now located. There were then but two houses in what is now Ottumwa. He built a cabin, 12 by 14 feet in size, without a chimney, and resided in it one year, when he built another cabin, 12 by 12 feet in dimensions. He made improvements on his claim, vidiich he entered, and farmer there until 1861, when he moved to Ottumwa, having been elected clerk of the district court. He filled that office two successive terms, and in 1865 returned to his farm, and carried on general farming until 1870. He has since made his home in Ottumwa, where he has been one of the most enterprising and public-spirited citizens. He takes an earnest interest in all that pertains to the welfare of the city and county, and by his just dealings and fairness to every one has won the respect of his fellow men. He is a Democrat in politics, and has served in various responsible positions with credit. He was county supervisor two years, justice of the peace in Richland township a number of years, trustee of Richland township, president of the school board, and a member of the city council of Ottumwa for two years.

April 25, 1843, Mr. Brown was united in marriage with Martha H, Thurman, who was born in Tennessee, in 1811, and died in March, 1897. They reared the following children: Mary L.; Margaret E.; Martha J.; S. Hugh; William A. C.; Nellie T.; and George D., all of whom are living. Religiously Mr. Brown is a member of the Church of Christ, and has helped to build several churches in Ottumwa during his long residence here. He has for a long time been an elder of the church.

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

A. BROWN, a well known farmer and stock raiser, residing in Columbia township, Wapello county, Iowa, was born in Columbia township, a mile and three-quarters southeast of his present farm, June 17, 1849. He is a son of David and Eliza (Forester) Brown, the father a native of Virginia, and the mother, of Indiana.

David Brown moved to Indiana with his parents when a small hoy, and settled in Johnson county, where he grew to manhood. He was a farmer, and owned a small tract of land there, which he disposed of and then moved to Missouri. In 1846 he came to Mahaska county, Iowa, where lie took up a claim and remained for two years. He then disposed of his claim and moved to Columbia township, \Vapello county, on the farm now owned by Philip Dotts and his son, Gideon Dotts. He entered this tract of 160 acres, on which he made many improvements and which he put under a high state of cultivation. He added to his original entry until he had a farm of upwards of 640 acres, and was at one time considered the wealthiest farmer in the township. He was industrious, honest and upright in all his transactions, and stood very high in the community. His union with Eliza Forester resulted in the following offspring; Catherine, Martha, Lewis V., Barbara Ellen, Rachel E., W. A. and George W. and Jackson, twins. After the death of his first wife he married Barbara Foglesong, a native of Indiana, by whom he had four children, as follows: Alary Jane, Florence, Mack L. and Mattie. Mr. Brown was a member of the Lutheran church and helped to erect a church at Eddyville. Politically he was a Democrat. He died in May, 1900, at the age of eighty-three years.

William Brown received a common-school education in Columbia township, Wapello county, lkjwa, and remained at home until he reached the age of twenty-one years. He engaged in farming for himself, and in 1882 made his first purchase of land, — a tract of 40 acres. This he subsequently sold, and purchased a tract of 155 acres of Alexander Black, which is his present homestead. The farm is devoted to general farming and stock raising. He raises good crops of corn, wheat and oats, and in stock raising — makes a specialty of high-grade hogs, — always keeping on an average 45 head of the Poland-China breed. His farm is well adapted to raising stock, as it is well watered by springs and also by Kavanaugh Creek, a small stream that seldom runs dry. He has made a great success ui his occupation, and stands \\ell in the county in which he has lived all his life.

Mr. Brown was united in matrimonial bonds in 1878 with Maretta Chapman, a daughter of W'ells Chapman, a native of Ohio, where she was born May 12, 1855. She came with her parents to Missouri, thence to Illinois, and in 1872 to Iowa, settling in Mahaska county. The parents of Mrs. Brown now reside in Monroe county, Iowa, where they own a farm. This union resulted in the birth of the following children; AVilliam L.; Ida AI., deceased; Mary Ellen; Minnie Esther, wife of William S. Hindman, of Mahaska county; Elizabeth; Bertie L.; and Edna AI., deceased. In political views Mr. Brown is a Democrat. Fraternally he is a member of Day Lodge, Xo. 26, I. O. O. F., and of the Alodern Woodmen of America.

OHN AIURRAA This gentleman is one of the prominent farmers living in Pleasant township, Wapello county, Iowa. He was born in Ohio in 1839, and is a son of Adam ami Charit\' ( Elliott) Alurray.

Adam Alurray was born in Virginia, where he Hvecl ah his Hfe. He was a blacksmith and farmer by occupation. He married Cliarity Ehiott, a native of West Virginia, and the)' reared 12 children, namely: Margaret; John: Andrew, deceased: William; Fanny, deceased; Simon; Alary E.; George and Andy, deceased; Elliott, who lives on a farm in Ohio: Thomas, A\ ho is a farmer in Pleasant township; and Catherine, deceased.

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

Years of arduous labor along agricultural lines have brought Joseph Brown a handsome fortune. He is a farmer of Richland township, and there he has resided for many years, having been a factor in its agricultural development. He was born in the north of England, May 16, 1831, and is a son of James and Jane (Mofifett) Brown, natives of the motherland. The mother died there in 1841 and the father with his children emigrated to America in 1845 and located at first in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was a trained and experienced coal miner and while in Pittsburgh held a position as pit man, continuing to make his home in that city until 1865, when he sought the opportunities of the middle west, removing to Missouri, where he settled in Macon county. Later he returned to Pennsylvania, and there he passed away. He had seven children as follows: Hannah, who married William Black of Pennsylvania; Joseph, of this review; Jane, the wife of John Graham of northern Pennsylvania; Elizabeth, who married A. Ruphard of Ohio, ncnv deceased; James, deceased; and two who died in infancy.

Joseph Brown continued to reside with his father until he reached his majority, having acquired his education in the schools of his native land and this county. He then followed mining for twenty years, being a scientifically trained pit man, and spent nine years of this time in Oregon and the gold fields of California. He then operated a grist and sawmill in Davis county, Iowa, for three years. At the end of that time he had acquired the means which enabled him tkj buv a farm in Davis county and for several years he cultivated the same, selling his property to advantage at the end of that period and then moving to Mahaska county, where for two years he was engaged in mining operations. He subsequently bought the farm in Richland township upon which he now lives and which comprises two hundred and twelve and a half "acres on section 22. He has devoted his whole attention to its cultivation and by years of arduous labor has succeeded in making it one of the most valuable farms in his neighborhood. His buildings are in good repair and his acres are planted to the crops most suitable to soil and climate. He is ever ready to embrace new methods and ideas and, while he has attained individual prosperity has also created new agricultural standards in his section.

On April 17, 1860, in Pennsylvania Mr. Brown married Miss Susanna Black, a native of the Keystone state and a daughter of James and Sarah (Marks) Black, the mother of Pennsvlvania and the father of Ohio. In their family were twelve children, of whom Mrs. Brown is the only one now living. The latter bore her husband six children: George F., of Wapello county; Lincoln and Charles, both of whom also reside in this county; Joseph, who makes his home in Mahaska county; James, of Wapello county; and Albert, who assists his father in the operation of the homestead. The hunter is now practically ictircil, leaving the active farm labors to younger hands, and finding in his son Albert a worthy successor. Mr. Brown has been a valuable factor in the development of his section and has ever cooperated in promoting valuable public measures. However, he is not a politician and has never actively entered the field of politics. All who know him speak of him in the highest terms of appreciation, and he has many friends in Wapello county.

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

CAPTAIN CHARLES PERRY BROWN.

When the tocsin of war sounded men flocked to the nation's standard from the fields, the work shops, the counting rooms and the offices, the spirit of patriotism burning proudly within each breast, each, soldier being ready to face danger and if necessary meet death in defense of the stars and stripes and the cause represented by Old Glory. Iowa has reason to be proud of her military record during its darkest hour in our country's history. Captain Charles Perry Brown was among the number who almost before the smoke from Fort Sumter's guns had cleared away offered their aid to the government and went to the front, and he proved a most brave and loyal soldier throughout the period of hostilities. Captain Brown is now living retired in Ottumwa, spending his days in well earned ease. He was for a number of years prominently identified with financial interests as president of the Ottumwa Savings Bank, which he organized in the fall of 1887.

His birth occurred in Warren, Herkimer county. New York, on the 30th of October, 1840, his parents being the Rev. Charles Edward and Frances (Lyon) Brown. The father, who was born in Oneida county, New York, February 23, 18 13, was a son of Rev. Phillip Perry Brown, whose birth occurred in Bennington, Vermont, September 17, 1790, and who died in Madison, New York, September 23, 1876. Rev. P. P. Brown was a Baptist minister, holding pastorates of various Baptist churches in central New York. His mother, Anna Perry Brown, was a member of the family of Oliver Hazard Perry of naval fame. Betsy Dickey, wife of Rev. P. P. Brown, was born in Weathersfield, Vermont, October 23, 1788, and died in Hamilton, New York, April 2, 1862. Her father was a Scotch-Irishman, who came from Londonderry in the north of Ireland to Londonderry, Ne\ Hampshire, before the Revolutionary war. Rev. C. E. Brown, in telling the story of his life, said: "My parents moved from Augusta to Smithfield in Madison county, New York, and there

I lived amidst the privations of pioneer life until my eighteenth birthday." In 1831 Rev. C. E. Brown started out in life for himself and began to work on a farm. At a revival meeting in 1832 he became a Christian and was baptized by his father, shortly afterward entering the Hamilton Literary and Theological Seminary. He then taught school until 1835 and did some ministerial work. On July 15, 1838, he reentered the Hamilton Seminary and was ordained on the 20th of September. On the 26th of September, 1838, in the Baptist church at Little Falls, he was married to Frances Lyon, the Rev. H. Beach officiating. He then became pastor of a church at Norway, Herkimer county, New York, but in 1840 was assigned to missionary work in Iowa. On May 2, 1842, he and his family left Utica, New York, for the west. His story of the journey, the hardships and privations of pioneer traveling, is most interesting and covers many pages of a book written by his son. Captain Charles Perry Brown. He was appointed to Iowa by the American Baptist Home Mission Society. He made his first home at Maquoketa, Jackson county, and in the following fall removed to Davenport. After nine years of arduous and successful labor in his calling failing health obliged him to return to New York in May, 1851, where he spent six years in central and western counties, returning to Iowa in July, 1857, to make a home in Howard county. He was a man of excellent executive ability and sound judgment, was enterprising and progressive and possessed unusual strength of character— qualities which insure success in the commercial world. However, he preferred to devote his life to the betterment and uplift of humanity in the service of his Master. His demise occurred at Ottumwa, Iowa, on the 23d of July, 1901, while his wife was called to her final rest on the 12th of June, 1887. The latter, a noble Christian woman and a devoted, loving wife and mother, was a daughter of Dr. Benjamin Lyon, of Herkimer county, New York, whose wife, Mrs. Brown's mother, was Margaret Duncan, daughter of Richard Duncan, a prominent Scotchman who left his native land on account of political disturbances and settled near Schenectady, New York, at an early

To Rev. Charles E. and Frances (Lyon) Brown were born five children. Benjamin P., a native of Norway, Herkimer county. New York, was drowned in the Maquoketa river, in Jackson county, Iowa, on the 20th of June, 1848. On the morning of that day he had read, with his parents and younger brother.

the first chapter of Mark. The next in order of birth is Charles Perry of this review. James De Crush, born in Le Claire township, Scott county, Iowa, February 9, 1846, was connected with the freight department of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad at Ottumwa and is now general agent of the New York Central lines at St. Joseph, Missouri. George Lyon Brown, born in Herkimer county. New York, July 29, 1853, died from injuries received while coupling cars at St. Paul Junction, Minnesota, September 1, 1871. William Carlos, twin brother of George L. Brown, was formerly general manager of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad and in 1901 became vice president and general manager of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern and Lake Erie & Western Railways. On January 1, 1909, he was made president of the New York Central lines and held the office until he retired in January, 1914.

Charles Perry Brown acquired his education in the common schools of New York and Iowa and was a teacher in country district schools in northern Iowa during the winter terms of 1859, 1860 and 1 86 1. He was the first volunteer from Howard county for the Civil war, enlisting about April 20, 1861, in the Decorah Guards, a Winneshiek county company, which was mustered into the service of the United States as Company D, Third Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry, at Keokuk, Iowa. The first, second and third regiments of Iowa infantry were organized at Keokuk about the same time, all being there together before any left for the field. At the organization of his company Mr. Brown was elected third corporal and in March, 1862, was promoted to be second sergeant. He was made first lieutenant of artillery in May, 1863, and in September, 1864, was appointed captain and assistant adjutant general of volunteers by President Lincoln, holding that position until discharged in December, 1865. He served continuously from April 20, 1861, until December 31, 1865, when he was honorably discharged by war department order, for the reason that his services were no longer required. He was on staff duty about three years as regimental and brigade quartermaster, aide-de-camp and assistant adjutant general, serving more than a year with Major General Stephen A. Hurlbut, who commanded the Fourth Division, Army of the Tennessee, at Pittsburg Landing, Shiloh and Corinth, and later the Sixteenth Army Corps and the Department of the Gulf. He participated in every battle and campaign in which his command was engaged.

After leaving" the army Captain Brown returned to his home in Vernon Springs, Howard county, Iowa, and was there married. On the I St of March, 1871, he came to Ottumwa as clerk in the office of General John M. Hcdrick, supervisor of United States internal revenue for a district comprising eight northwestern states and territories. He was soon after appointed United States internal revenue agent on the recommendation of General Hedrick and served in that capacity until October, 1881, resigning on account of failing health. Some of the most prominent citizens of Ottumwa in speaking of Mr. Brown's work in this office say that the service he rendered state and nation at this time cannot be overestimated. The Ottumwa National Bank was then being organized and Captain Brown was offered and accepted the position of cashier. In August, 1883, he left the bank to become auditor of the coal mining, railroad and supply companies owned and operated by J. C. Osgood. This work, proving too arduous, was given up in July, 1884, and for three years he was out of business. In the fall of 1887 he organized the Ottumwa Savings Bank and was its president until August, 1895, when the condition of his health obliged him to give up all business.

On the 30th of August, 1866, at Vernon Springs, Howard county, Iowa, Captain Brown was united in marriage to Miss Adeline Phoebe Fall, daughter of Rev. George W. Fall of that county, the wedding ceremony being performed by the Rev. Charles E. Brown. Mrs. Adeline P. Brown is deceased, having passed away at Boulder, Colorado, on the 20th of April, 1903. By her marriage she had become the mother of five children. Frances Lyon, who was born at Cresco, Iowa, October 6, 1868, died at McGregor, this state, on the 31st of August, 1869, and was buried in the family lot of Rev. George W. Fall at Cresco. Benjamin Perry, whose birth occurred at McGregor, Iowa, December II, 1869, acquired his education in the public schools of Ottumwa and after putting aside his text-books entered the retail hardware store of the Harper & Mclntire Company, then Harper, Chambers & Company, becoming connected with that establishment in May, 1886, in order to learn the business. In September, 1888, he began work in the Ottumwa Savings Bank, was made assistant cashier in 1891, and in August. 1895, was promoted to the position of cashier, in which capacity he is still serving, being widely known as a popular, capable and successful banker.' On the 8th of May, 1895, he wedded Miss Laura Kendall of Ottumwa, the marriage ceremony being performed by the Rev. L. F. Berry. Charles Edwin, whose birth occurred at Ottumwa, Iowa, November 9, 1872, there passed away on the lath of October, 1874. Edith Adeline, who was born at Ottumwa, August 3, 1875, died at the Glockner Sanitarium in Colorado Springs on the 6th of June, 1893. Louise Fall, born in Ottumwa on the 28th of January, 1881, attended the public schools of this city in the acquirement of an education. On the 2d of May, 1905, in Ottumwa, she gave her hand in marriage to Lester M. Linton, the ceremony being performed by the Rev. P. A. Johnson.

Captain Brown has now passed the seventy-third milestone on life's journey and enjoys the respect and confidence of all who know him. In the varied relations of life he has stood as a mar, among men, accepting no false standards, holding to high ideals and exemplifying his sympathy with the world's progress in his own life.

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

JAMES DE CRUSH BROWN.

although a resident of St. Joseph, Missouri, James De Crush Brown at one time made his home in Ottumwa and is well known here to many of the citizens of Wapello county, where his brother, Charles P. Brown, still resides. He was born February 9, 1846, in Le Claire township, Scott county, Iowa, a few miles west of the Mississippi river, when that district was a pioneer region, the nearest neighbor living a half mile to the south. Wolves could be heard howling at night, prairie chickens and other wild game could be had in abundance and Indians were occasional visitors in the neighborhood. With the usual experiences of frontier life James D. Brown and the others of the household became familiar. He had but limited educational privileges, but he was a great reader and in the school of experience learned many valuable lessons. He spent a few terms in teaching school in the country districts, and in 1867 he began work for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Co., acting with the locating engineers on the Iowa & Dakota division. Later he was operator at various stations on the Iowa & Minnesota division and was agent at Lime Spring for fifteen years.

On the ist of February, 1889, he entered the service of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad as agent at Fairfield and on the ist of April, 1890, he came to Ottuniwa, wlicre he remained until June i, 1903. He was very popular as a citizen of Ottumwa. He possessed the social qualities which brought him warm regard and the sterling traits of character which enabled him to retain the friendship of those with whom he was associated. On the ist of June, 1903, he became traveling freight agent for the Indiana, Iowa & Illinois Railroad and that he won advancement is indicated in the fact that in the fall of 1905 he was promoted to the position of general agent at St. Joseph, Missouri, for the New York Central lines. His success has been worthily won, and he stands today among those who control important railway interests, directing mammoth affairs with the ease and ability that come through long practice and intelligently directed effort.

In 1862 Mr. Brown enlisted in the Sixteenth United States Regiment of Infantry, being then sixteen years of age. An acute and serious illness unfitted him for service and caused his discharge on account of disability a few months later to his great disappointment and regret. The spirit of patriotism has ever been a dominant one in his life, however, and has been manifest in support of many worthy public measures. His business record is a notable and honorable one, placing him in a distinguished position, where he controls important interests. Ottumwa remembers with pleasure the period of his residence here, and through visits to his brother he continues his acquaintance with many of his old-time friends in Wapello county.

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

HORACE A. BROWN.

Horace A. Brown, superintendent of the waterworks at Ottumwa and ranking high as a construction engineer, was born in Orono, Maine, January 22, 1884. His father, Arthur P. Brown, a native of Bradford, Maine, was born in 1857 and is now a lumber merchant of East Corinth, Maine. He wedded Myra A. Kennedy, who was born in Greenbush, Maine, in 1857, and they became the parents of five children: Amy F., who is now the wife of Albert J. Farrington, of Brewer, Maine; Ralph H., who is living in East Corinth; Horace A.; Edward T., who is associated with his father and brother Ralph in the lumber business at East Corinth; and Leah M., who is in school.

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