Andrew C. Brown

As printed in 1905

ANDREW C. BROWN.

Among the old and highly respected residents of Butler county, who have been prime factors in its development, is the well-known and popular citizen whose name appears at the head of this article. During a continuous residence of eighty-four years in the vicinity of Middletown he has not only been an eye-witness of the numerous changes that have taken place, but has also been an active participant therein, and it is to such sound minds, strong arms and ripe judgment as his that this part of Ohio is so greatly indebted for the prosperity which has characterized its growth and development along the various lines of agricultural, industrial and general business activity and advancement.

Christopher Brown, father of the subject, was born in Wyeth county, Virginia, and grew to maturity in his native state, marrying, in his young manhood. Miss Mary Conmary, whose ancestors were among the pioneer settlers of Pennsylvania. In an early day he moved to Clinton county, Ohio, and after a short residence in that part of the state changed his above to Warren county, where he lived until 1820, when he migrated to the county of Butler and engaged in the distillery business, which he carried on for a period of five years in connection with agricultural pursuits. Disposing of his distillery at the expiration of the lime noted, he purchased the place a short distance east of Middletown now known as the Marsh farm, where he spent the remainder of his life as a prosperous miller of the soil, dying about the year 1868, honored and respected by all who knew him. Of the eight children that constituted the family of Christopher and Mary Brown the subject of this review is the only living representative and to a brief outline of his career the reader’s attention is herewith respectfully invited.

Andrew C. Brown was born in Warren county, Ohio, February 9, 1818, and was two years of age when his parents moved to the county of Butler. His earliest experiences were connected with his father's distillery, and when about seven years old he went to the farm east of Middletown, in the clearing and development of which he subsequently took such an active and effective part. Reared to hard labor, he shirked no duty, however onerous, and turned from no responsibility, but with true filial regard gave the best of his strength to the general welfare of the family and while still a mere youth was able to do a man's work at almost any kind of toil. As opportunities afforded, he attended the indifferent subscription schools common to this part of the country sixty and seventy years ago, but at best his education was limited, although in later years he obtained a wide knowledge of books by devoting his leisure hours to reading, in this way and by close observation becoming in the course of time an intelligent and remarkably well-informed man.

Mr. Brown assisted in cultivating the home farm until his twenty-third year, at which time he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah M. Sutphin. daughter of John and Jane Sutphin, the ceremony being solemnized in 1841. During the ten years following his marriage he farmer as a renter, but at the end of that time purchased the place south of Middletown which now adjoins the corporate limits of the city and which he still owns. Moving to his new home in 1850. he at once began the work of its development, and by well-directed industry and a general system of improvement succeeded in due time in making the place not only one of the finest and most productive in the township, but also one of the model farms of Butler county. System appears to have characterized all of his undertakings and, being an excellent manager, with an eye to detail, he reaped abundant returns from his time and labor and it was not long until he forged to the front as one of the leading farmers and stock raisers in a section of country long distinguished for the intelligence, success and progressive spirit of its agricultural class. For a number of \72ars Mr. Brown devoted great attention to stock, especially cattle and horses, and from this source and the raising of grain the greater part of his ample fortune has been derived. After acquiring a comfortable competency and feeling the need of rest from his many years of arduous toil, he left the farm in 1886, and moved to Middletown. where, surrounded by everything calculated to minister to his comfort and enhance his enjoyment, he has since been living a retired and contented life.

Mrs. Brown, who was born a few miles east of Middletown in 1821, bore her husband four childreU" and died on February 27, 1896. Only one of these children lived to years of maturity, namely, Moses P., whose birth occurred in 1853, anfl wo is now traveling representative for a large machinery and agricultural implement house, his territory including Ohio and other central and western states. 'He is a married man. his wife having formerly been Miss Susan J. Howell, who was born in St. Louis and moved to Ohio in infancy and they reside at this time in the city of Middletown.

In 1856 Mr. Brown united with the Methodist Episcopal church and entered upon the consistent Christian life for which he has since been characterized. He has been active in all lines of religious and benevolent work, gives liberally to all worthy enterprises and charities and for many years has held official positions in the local congregation with which he is connected, his influence having always been on the side of morality and right as he has understood the meaning and significance of these terms. Mr. Brown cast his* first ballot in 1839 and one year later voted for Gen. William Henry Harrison for president, from which time until its dissolution he was an earnest and uncompromising supporter of the old Whig party. When the Republican party came into existence he at once espoused its principles and, believing that every good citizen should be a politician, he has ever since consistently adhered to his course, voting for the candidates of his party and contributing to its success by able and judicious counsel,.as well as by active work with the rank and file. A reader and a thinker, he is well informed on the great political issues of the time, keeps in close touch with public matters and current events, and, notwithstanding his advanced age, is still recognized as. an influential factor in political circles and a leader whose advice has contributed not a little to the success of the principles which he upholds and of which he has so long been such a stanch and unswerving advocate. It is a fact worthy of note, that during the long period that has elapsed since lie was old enough to exercise the rights and prerogatives of citizenship, Mr. Brown has never voted anywhere except Middletown; sixty-five years having dissolved in the miss of the past since he cast his first ballot where his last one was deposited, an instance perhaps without a parallel in the history of the state. Mr. Brown has reached the ripe old age of eighty-six years, but is still strong and vigorous physically and able to do considerable manual labor, besides attending with all the mental clearness and insight of his prime to his various business interests. He has always been temperate, which accounts largely for his remarkable strength and longevity, and having ever looked on the bright side and avoided pessimism, his life has been pleasant and cheerful, as all who have come within the range of his influence will bear witness.

As printed in Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio (1905). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.