Joseph M. Brown

As printed in 1910

JOSEPH McCAULEY BROWN.

A most exemplary citizen and an honored hero of the war of the Rebellion is Joseph M. Brown, a prominent citizen of Saltcreek township, Wayne county, Ohio. During his army career he was always found faithful to the duties imposed upon him, thus winning the confidence and regard of his comrades and superior officers, while in his business life and social relations he has ever manifested the same justice, integrity and reliability, and none know him save to wish him well. He is a native of Pennsylvania, having been born in Franklin county on the 17th of December, 1834. His father, John Brown, also was a native of Franklin county, born September 3, 1803, and in 1836 came to Massillon, Ohio, with his family, consisting of his wife and son, the subject of this sketch. Massillon was then the most important trading point in this section of the state, and he remained there a short time, subsequently moving to Holmes county. He was a plasterer by trade and a good workman, having been employed in that line during practically all his active years. He remained in Holmes county until 1865, when he came to YHyne county and located in Saltcreek township, where he spent his remaining years, his death occurring in his eighty-ninth year. He was a man of many fine qualities of character and was well likecBby all who knew him. In Pennsylvania John Brown married Elizabeth Thompson, who was born in Franklin county, that state, in 1817, her family having originally come from

JOSEPH iVI. BROWN

Scotland, where they belonged to the Clan Campbell, while the Brown ancestors were from Wales, where they were a prominent family, as they were also in the Keystone state. Mrs. Brown lived to the ripe age of eighty years. By her marriage with John Brown, she became the mother of ten children, briefly mentioned as follows: Joseph Me., the subject of this sketch, who was the only one of the children born in Pennsylvania; George A., deceased; John D., deceased; Amy Ann died in infancy; the next two children were twins, one of whom is dead, the other, Elizabeth, now making her home in Wooster; Joanna is the wife of Robert Hatfield, who lives north of Wooster; Calvin S., of near Apple Creek; William and Martha.

Joseph McCauley Brown attended the early subscription schools and secured a fair education, which has been liberally supplemented during the subsequent years by much reading and close observation of men and things, so that he is a well informed man. He early learned the trade of a carpenter, which he thereafter followed during most of his active years. He remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority, when he went to northwestern Missouri, where he was employed at his trade until the outbreak of the Civil war. He enlisted in Company F, Eighteenth Regiment Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and served faithfully from October 10, 1861, until May 5, 1865. He took part in a number of heavy engagements with the enemy, besides much skirmishing and marching, and at the battle of Shiloh, he, together with the greater part of the regiment, was taken prisoner and was kept in confinement during the following nine months, being in the prison at Macon, Georgia. He there received very severe treatment and during a part of the time he was confined in the hospital. After being paroled, Mr. Brown rejoined his regiment and was with General Sherman on his march to the sea, and afterwards participated in the Grand Review at Washington. He saw much arduous service and was four times wounded. Enlisting as a private, his faithful services were recognized and he soon became a sergeant, subsequently attaining the rank of a first lieutenant, which rank he held when he was mustered out at Washington.

Immediately on the conclusion of his military service, Mr. Brown came to Saltcreek township, Wayne county, and has made his home here ever since. The greater part of the time he has been at his trade of carpenter, though for several years he has not performed any hard labor, advancing years admonishing him to husband his strength. He is the owner of some fine farming land in section 15, and is in fairly comfortable circumstances. His character and life has been such that he has merited and retained the universal regard of all who know him. He has taken an active part in local political affairs in the interest of the Republican party, having cast his first vote for John C. Fremont for President. He has never sought office for himself, but has been an active and influential man in the township. His religious affiliation is with the Congregational church, while his wife is an active member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Brown formerly belonged to the Fredericksburg Post, Grand Army of the Republic, but his advancing age prevented his attending the meetings and he has taken a discharge.

On the 13th of November, 1866, Mr. Brown was married to Mary Jane Dunham, who was born in Saltcreek township, this county, May 21, 1840, a daughter of Thomas and Margaret Dunham, who were early settlers in this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Brown the following children have been born: Anna Alice is the wife of William Herman, of Franklin township, and they have two children; Margaret Elizabeth, now deceased, was the wife of Theodore First, by whom she had three children; Thomas D., who is a postal mail clerk living at Mansfield, married Emma Christman; Maud died at the age of sixteen years.

As printed in History of Wayne County, Ohio (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.