James M. Brown

As printed in 1912

JAMES M. BROWN.

Knox county figures as one of the most attractive, progressive and prosperous divisions of the northeastern part of the great Buckeye state, justly claiming a high order of citizenship and a spirit of enterprise which is certain to conserve consecutive development and marked advancement in the material advancement of this section. One of the well known agriculturists and public-spirited citizens, whose fine landed estate in Morgan township is admired by all, is James M. Brown. His enterprise has been crowned by success, as the result of rightly applied principles which never fail in their ultimate effect when coupled with integrity, uprightness and a congenial disposition, as they have been done in his case, judging from the high standing of Mr. Brown among his fellow citizens whose undivided esteem he has won and retained.

Mr. Brown was born on October 9, 1869, on the farm where he still resides and where he has spent his life, two miles northeast of Morgan Center, Knox county. He is the son of James S. and C'hristene (Chipps) Brown. The father was also born on this farm, while the mother was born in Chester township, now a part of Morrow county. Grandfather Jonathan Brown was born in New Jersey, May 22, 1800. His parents dying when he was young, he was bound out to Abraham Day, a farmer. In 1816 these two gentlemen came to Ohio, Mr. Brown remaining in Mr. Day’s service until he was twenty-one years of age, then went to work for himself, his first employment beingmaking rails at twenty-five cents per one hundred, which money he used for the purpose of buying clothes. Soon afterwards he was united in marriage with Mary Larson, daughter of Sylvester Larson, a pioneer of Knox county. She had fifty acres of land and this was the beginning of Mr. Brown's future success. Later he purchased lands one and one-half miles northeast of Morgan Center and with the aid of his sons this was cleared for farming. His death occurred on November 16, 1879, his wife having died on December 5, 1867, at the age of sixty-four years, and both are buried in Owl Creek Baptist church cemetery, near the family home. Their family consisted of nine children, namely: Thomas R., Josel F., James S.; Anna Eliza married Samuel Clutter; Jonathan H.; Mary J. married Leander Buxton; Phoebe S. married Thomas Bodle, and James S.. father of the subject of this sketch; two died in infancy.

James S. Brown, father of the subject, was born on September 7, 1831, and his death occurred on June 27, 1910. He grew to manhood on the home farm and received such education as he could in the old-time schools of his community. Upon reaching manhood he married Catherine Chipp, who was born January 5, 1831, and died November 8, 1867, and both are buried in Owl Creek Baptist church cemetery. They were the parents of two children, namely: William X., of New Albany, Ohio, and James M., of this review.

The father became the owner of over two hundred acres of good land, which he farmer on an extensive scale. Politically, he was a Democrat until 1860, when he espoused Republican principles and ever afterwards voted the Republican ticket. While he was always interested in public matters, he was never an office seeker and never held office. He was a man of strong convictions and great moral and physical courage. After the death of his first wife, he married Catherine Stockdale, daughter of William Stockdale, who was born on June 14, 1868, which union was without issue. This wife died on August 13, 1905, and she was buried in Owl Creek cemetery.

James M. Brown, the immediate subject of this sketch, was reared on the home farm and was educated in the district schools. He was married on October 24, 1888, to Virginia Arrington, daughter of William J. and Minerva (Wigington) Arrington, both born in Franklin county, Virginia, where they grew up and were married. They came to Knox county in 1869. The father was a soldier in the Confederate army during the Civil war and he was twice wounded. After coming to Knox county he engaged in farming and is still living near Morgan Center in Morgan township. His wife died on Februarv 11, 1885, and is buried in Owl Creek cemetery.

Three children have been born to the subject and wife, namely: Joseph S., married and living in Harrison township, this county: Harry W. lives at home: Bertie May also lives at home.

Mr. Brown has lived since his marriage on the farm where he was born and reared and is engaged in general farming and stock raising and feeding all kinds of live stock, making a specialty of sheep. For a number of years he was with the Logan Gas Company, also the Homer Gas Company in various capacities, but later he gave his entire attention to his fine farm and his live stock and he has met with large success in both. His farm lies in the Knox county gas belt and on it are several producing wells.

Politically, Mr. Brown is a Republican and he keeps well posted on current events, taking an interest in the welfare of his community, though he has never been an office seeker or office holder, with the exception of serving as a member of the district school board. He is a member of the Masonic order of Mt. Vernon and he and his son, Harry A., belong to the Knights of the Maccabees. He is also a member of the Morgan Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, with his wife and son, being a charter member. He and his family belong to the Owl Creek Baptist church, and they are prominent in the social life of the locality.

As printed in Past and present of Knox County, Ohio (1912). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.