Solomon Brown

As printed in 1906

Solomon Brown, an active, energetic and successful farmer living on section lo. White Oak township, where he owns and operates one hundred and fifty-nine acres of arable land, was born upon this farm September 26, 1855 — fact which indicates that he is a representative of one of the pioneer families of the county. His father, Jonathan Brown, was a native of Mnrgan county, Ohio, and was reared in 'Sla.- rion county, that state, where he resided until after he had attained his majority. He was there married to Miss Elizabeth Reed in 1852. '1 he lady was a native of Delaware and a daughter of Job Reed, who was likewise born in Delaware, whence he removed with his family to Marion county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Brown followed farming in Ohio and in the second year after their marriage came to b>\\a, where he purchased one hundred and nineteen acres of land and also entered from the government forty acres more. It was entirely wild and unimproved and he at once began to clear and culti\ate the place. He had to perf(jrm the anluous task of breaking the sod and preparing the land for cultivation, but in the course of time he had transformed the tract into richly cultivated fields. He built thereon a good house and barn, also substantial outbuildings and developed a neat and valuable property, being recognized as one of the enteqjrising agriculturists of the community. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Brown were born nine children, of whom three died in infancy. The eldest is Nancy, the wife of T. J. Shipley, a resident of Keokuk county. Iowa. Solomon is the next of the family. J. L. is living in Rose Hill, where he is conducting a hardware store. Alice is the wife of C. I. Ellis. Sarah is the w'ife of C. L. Vanlaninghan, a popular merchant of Rose Hill. William is at home. The father of this family departed this life in 1885, at the age of fifty-seven years. The mother, however, is still living in her seventy-fifth year and makes her home with her sons, Solomon and William.

Upon the old homestead farm Solomon Brown was reared and in the public schools of the neighborhood acquired his education. In his youth he aided in the work of the fields and since his father's death he has operated the farm upon which he has always lived with the exception of a period of two years from 1898 until 1900, when he resided in Oskaloosa, filling the office of deputy sheriff. He has a well kept farm and raises some stock. He also keeps high bred Plymoudi Rock chickens and the breeding of those fowls adds not a little to his income. In all of his business interests he is active and enterprising, and his labors are attended with a measure of success which shows that his work is of a practical nature. He attends the [methodist Episcojial church of which his mother is a member. His political allegiance is given to the democracy, and while never seeking office, he supports the men and measures of the ]5arty. The only positions he has ever filled are those of deputy sheriff and constable, acting in the latter capacity in White Oak township for seven years. He finds ample incentive for the exercise of his talents and energies in his business affairs and has come to be recognized as one of the substantial farmers of the county.

As printed in Past and present of Mahaska County, Iowa : together with biographical sketches of many of its prominent and leading citizens and illustrious dead (1906). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.