Henry Brown

As printed in 1886

HENRY BROWN, State Attorney for Hancock County, Findlay, was born in Albion, Orleans Co., N, Y., November 5, 1826, son of Oliver and Sarah (Wiltz) Brown, the former a son of Benjamin and Sarah (Cass) Brown, of Welsh and English pioneer descent in Rhode Island and New Hampshire, respectively; the Wiltz family were of Holland pioneer stock on the Hudson River, in New York State. Oliver and Sarah Brown were born on the Hudson River, New York, and reared eight sons, of whom Benjamin died in Humboldt County, Cal., leaving a family; Hiram is a farmer in Ionia, Mich.; Anthony is a mechanic in Findlay; Jeptha is a farmer in Wyandot County, Ohio; Ezra is an attorney and justice of the peace in Findlay; Alfi-ed, who died without issue, was a farmer in Fostoria, Wood County; Franklin is a farmer in Albion, N. Y., and Henry, the youngest child. Our subject obtained a good literary and classical education at the academy in Albion, his native city, and became a clever linguist, especially in Latin and Greek. At the age of eighteen he came West, and was engaged in teaching in the vicinity of Fostoria, meantime reading law in the office of the Hon. Warren P. Noble, an eminent member of the Tiffin bar, and was admitted to practice in 1848. He soon after located in the practice of his profession here with Edson Goit and A. H. Bigelow, with whom he remained successfully engaged for a few years. Upon the dissolution of this partnership he united with Aaron Blackford, with whom he remained for a few years, retiring front this partnership to accept the office of auditor of Hancock County, to which he had been elected, retiring at the end of his term for a few years from all active professional work, on account of ill health. He had during his partnership with Mr. Blackford united with that gentleman in the proprietorship of the Hancock Courier, which he ably edited for about six years. In this connection it may be said to his credit that among the many progressive interests advocated by him, that of the railway enterprises (which were calling the attention of the people of this portion of the West) demanded considerable recognition, wherein he originated and recommended a project of a connection of the Lake Erie and the Ohio River, the germ of the present Lake Erie & Western Railway. After recuperating his health he returned to active professional work again.

In 1862 he was appointed to till a vacancy in the county attorney's office, to which he was elected for the two succeeding terms. Retiring, in 1867, from this incumbency, his many friends, recognizing his sterling worth, brought him before the convention of 1868 for the nomination as candidate of his party for the senatorial honors of this district, which was then largely Kepublican. He received a very unanimous nomination and carried the ticket largely, reducing the hitherto majority of 2,200 to but 227 votes. In 1875 he accepted the nomination of attorney for Hancock County, and was elected, succeeding himself the following term, 1877-79, and again in 1884. Mr. Brown has always been a worthy and hard-working public official, and has held a respectful recognition from all parties. In his earlier years he served with credit upon the board of school examiners for the county, and has been an active member of the board of education of Findlay. Upon the organization of the First National Bank of Findlay he became a stockholder and one of the board of directors, and served it as its attorney for several years. Mr. Brown was married in Findlay in 1858, to Hannah E. Stiles, a widow lady of estimable attainments, daughter of the late Hugh Newell, the union being blessed with two sons and two daughters: Sally T., a lady of fine literary attainments, a teacher in Mansfield, Ohio; Henry Wiltz, an apprentice journalist; Kittie and Carl Parker at home. The family attend the services of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which Mrs. Brown is an active worker in the field of Christianity and temperance. Mr. Brown is tall, of slight proportions, but of a vigorous disposition which has only too often had its set back by poor health. He is, however, of an amiable character and versatile nature, which, together with his broad professional principles have given him rank among the leading brethren of his profession in this portion of the State. Mr. Brown for many years was the favorite stump speechmaker of his county, and always drew large audiences, composed of both political parties, because of his candor and sincere manner of treating the subjects discussed. He has never been desirous of being nominated for Congress, but has been on one or two occasions put forward as the choice of Hancock County and cordially supported for the nomination; and might, on several occasions have received a nomination for Congress had he put forth any effort in his own behalf. Mr. Brown has also been highly recommended and urged to accept the nomination of judge of Hancock Common Pleas, but has as often declined to be a candidate. He is a F. & A. M., and in politics a Democrat.

As printed in History of Hancock County, Ohio : containing a history of the county, its townships, towns ... portraits of early settlers and prominent men, biographies, history of the Northwest Territory, history o (1886). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.