Joseph D. Brown

As printed in 1902

JOSEPH D. BROWN.

Among the men of hardy enterprise and undaunted courage, who made for his family a home in Richland county, Ohio, in the days while still the wild beasts of the forest roamed at will and howled at night around his pioneer cabin, was William Brown, who was the father of Joseph D. Brown, the subject of this biography. In 1830 William Brown came to Richland county from his native state, bringing with him his bride and settling upon lands which his far-seeing father had previously purchased in this then almost unsettled portion of the state. William Brown was born in Indiana county, Pennsylvania, in 1808, and he was a son of Jeremiah and Elizabeth (Cummings) Brown, both of whom were natives of Ireland. Jeremiah Brown was a successful farmer and distiller and exerted influence in his locality, and when the desirable farming land in Richland county, in the neighboring state, came upon the market he hastened to buy farms there for his growing sons, although William was the only one to settle there.

nen he came to Richland county, as it was then called, William Brown located with his young wife on a vast tract of timbered land, consisting of two hundred and forty acres, in Vernon township. The site of the home farm is now owned by David Weaver. Here the new settler built his log cabin and for some thirty years engaged in clearing and cultivating his land. In 1869 he sold this property and then purchased a farm of three hundred acres in Auburn township and resided there some ten years, and then disposed of that property to purchase another tract of three hundred and four acres, in Springfield township, near Crestline, and here he lived until the time of his death, on August 9, 1890. Mr. Brown was a man of intellect and was conspicuous for his strong sense of justice. If his employes worked even but one hour over the stipulated time they received a compensation for it. In politics he was a Democrat and was one of the leaders in his party, efficiently serving in almost all of the local offices. Both he and his wife were consistent members of the Methodist church, where they were held in the highest esteem.

The mother of our subject was born near Steubenville, Ohio, in 1808, and passed out of life on June 30, 1889. Her parents died while she was a child and she was reared in a neighbor's family. The family born to William Brown and wife consisted of ten children, six of these still surviving, as follows: Joseph D., who is the subject of this sketch; Elizabeth, who is the widow of Norman Martin, of Richland county; George C, of Crestline; Martha J., who is the wife of Rev. H. B. Miller, of Wooster, Ohio; Mary, who is the widow of A. D. Seibert, of La Grange county, Indiana: and Amanda, who is the widow of Joseph Lewis, of Monroeville, Indiana.

Joseph D. Brown, who is the subject of this sketch, was born in Richland county, Ohio, on May 27, 1832, and he was a son of William and Sarah (Ellis) Brown. His rearing was in the pioneer Imme and his education was acquired in the common schools of his neighborhood. On March 1. 1855, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Dickson, who was a native of Auburn township, in Crawford county, and who was a daughter of Andrew Dickson. In 1852 Mr. Brown made preparations to make a trip to California, but his mother opposed the project and he delayed starting until the following spring. Then he prepared to go to the far west and open up a hotel, in association with another man, but the latter failed him at the last moment, and our subject decided to abandon the idea. Hence he purchased eighty acres of land near Liberty Corners, in Vernon township, and settled upon it after his marriage, engaging extensively in the raising of cattle and sheep, being especially successful in the management of the latter. As time went on Mr. Brown was able to purchase more land and improve it. increasing his farm to two hundred and fifty acres, and finally, in 1883, sold two hundred acres for seventeen thousand dollars.

In 1878 our subject rented his farm to his son-in-law and moved into Tiro and built the residence now occupied and owned by Mr. George Owens, and established the general store, after erecting the building, which is now Conducted by \Y. A. Brown, his son. In 1883 he sold his farm and purchased one hundred and seventy acres of George Carrothers. which was located immediately south of the town, and resided there until 1896, when, on.account of an accident to Mrs. Brown, by which she broke a limb, he decided to remove to Tiro, where both he and wife have resided in comfortable retirement ever since.

Mr. and Mrs. Brown have had seven children, their names being as follows: David C, Georgiana and Martha E., all deceased; Mary A., the wife of John Brown, Jr.; Willis A., of whom a biography appears in this volume; Josephine, the wife of J. M. Van Tilburg; and John E., of Pasadena, California. These children were all given the best possible educational advantages and reflect credit upon their careful rearing, and have become representative citizens in the various localities where they have made their homes.

In politics Mr. Brown is liberal, with a tendency toward Democratic doctrine, while in voting he selects from the various tickets. He has efficiently served several terms as township treasurer, and is one of the reliable and esteemed residents of the county. Both he and wife are among the leading members of the Presbyterian church in Tiro, and Mr. Brown is a liberal supporter of every charitable and benevolent enterprise connected with the church or that promises to benefit the community.

As printed in A centennial biographical history of Crawford County, Ohio .. (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.