Charles W. Brown

As printed in 1881

CHARLES W. BROWN, barber, Akron, a son of John and Margaret (Groves) Brown, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, May 7, 1843, where he lived until 15 years of age, attending the public schools of that city. At the age of 14 he entered his father's barber shop as an apprentice; he, being a leading barber on Superior street for some fifty years. Subject worked in the shop until the war broke out. He had drilled with a company of colored men under Capt. Paddock of the " Cleveland Grays." This company, through John Brown (subject's father) tendered their services to Gov. Tod, who telegraphed in response: " When we want N-----s we'll let you know." Subject then recruited fifteen men, and upon offering themselves to Rhode Island were accepted. He then returned and raised twenty men more, but Ohio had, in the meantime, discovered that "N-----s" would stop bullets as well as whites, and got out an injunction against their leaving the State. Gov. Sprague of Rhode Island was notified, and sent two of his ablest attorney's to manage the case. In the trial of the case, Gov. Tod's telegram was offered in testimony, and after a full discussion of the pros and cons, the " N-----s " were allowed to follow their own bent, and at once reported to Rhode Island, where they were mustered into the lath Rhode Island Heavy Artillery. They entered the service in October, 1862, and were discharged at New Orleans in the spring of 1865. Subject served in the Gulf Department, and was in the battles of Red River, Mobile, Plaquemine, La., and was ist Sergeant of Co. K. He came to Akron in the fall of 1865, and has done a good business as barber ever since. His shop is located under the Academy of Music, and runs from three to five chairs with competent artists, and has a bath room attached. He has always been a stanch Republican and is the first colored man elected to office in Summit County, by a popular vote, being elected Trustee of Portage Township in 1880, an office he has faithfully filled. He was married, July 29, 1867, to Miss Laura V. Lewis, of Cleveland; they have two daughters and one son. His parents were free-born and came to Cleveland about 1820, where the mother still lives, aged 85: father died in 1868. They had two sons and two daughters. Subject is a fine musician, and was leader of the first colored band ever raised in Akron.

As printed in History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.