E. Brown

As printed in 1887

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 Portrait and biographical album of Linn County, Iowa (1887). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.