Josiah Brown

As printed in 1908

JOSIAH BROWN, funeral director and furniture dealer at Cuvahoga Falls, was born in Summit County. Ohio. April 28. 1838. and is a son of Simon and Elizabeth (Pontious) Brown.

Jacob Brown, the paternal grandfather oT Josiah Brown, wa.s born in Pennsylvania, but died in Stark County, Ohiu, where he was engaged in agricuUural pursuits. He had a family of thirteen children and of these Simon wiis the eldest. The latter was born in Pennsylvania and came to Summit County about 1835. He died in 1895, aged eighty-four years. After reaching Cuyahoga Falls he learned the cabinet-making trade, with J. T. Holloway, and then went into partner.'ship with Addison McConkey, under the finn name of McConkey & Brown. About 1848 he purchased his partner's interest and continued alone, alto carrying on undertaking, and being the only undertaker in the place for many years. He.supported the candidates of the Republican party. His wife, who was a daughter of Solomon Pontious, was born at Uniontown, Stark County, Ohio, and died December, 1901, aged eighty-four years. The three children of Simon Brown and his wife were: Josiah, subject of this sketch; Mrs. Harriet Goble, residing at Cuyahoga Falls; and Ezra, who is now deceased. The family belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church.

After completing his education in the High School at Cuyahoga Falls,.josiah Brown learned hi* father's trade, and continued to be associated with him until 1873, when he w-ent to Akron, where be worked through the summer and fall as a carpenter, and then entered the employ of Turner, Vaiighn & Taylor. For twenty years he remained with that firm as a carpenter and then returned to his father. After the latter's death, he managed the business for his mother until her death, when he took en tare* charge. It is one of the oldest business houses at the Falls.

Mr. Brown is a veteran of the Civil War. On September 10, 1861, he enlisted in Battery D. First Ohio Light Artillery, and re-enlisted in the same battery, in January, 1864, and was commissioned second lieutenant at that time. He took an active part in all the engagements in which his battery was concerned and he was honorably discharged in June, 1865. Mr. Brown is a member of Eddy Post, No. 37, Grand Army of the Republic, at Cuyahoga Falls, and enjoys meeting with his old comrades and living over again the dangers and triumphs of army days.

Mr. Brown married Lucy E. Warner, a daughter of John Warner, of Cuyahoga Falls, and they have had three children, namely: Ida, deceased, who married William Graham, of Akron; Charles Arthur, residing at Toledo, a mechanical engineer in the employ of the Toledo Railway and Light Company; and Birdie B., who is the widow of John Wilson, residing at New York City. Mr. Brown and family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is affiliated with Howard Lodge, No. 62, Odd Fellows. Politically ne is a Republican.

As printed in Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens (1908). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.