In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. A few names of people born after 1905 are withheld for privacy. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1847
From History of Washington County, Iowa from the first white settlements to 1908. Also biographical sketches of some prominent citizens of the county (1909)
W. E. BROWN.
W. E. Brown, owning and operating a valuable and well improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 21, Jackson township, was born in New Jersey on the 24th of August, 1847, his parents being Jesse B. and Matilda (Cooper) Brown, likewise natives of New Jersey. In 1854 they removed to Marshall county, Illinois, where they remained for thirteen years, on the expiration of which period they came to Washington county, Iowa, in 1867. Here they resided until called to their final rest, the father passing away in 1877, while the mother of our subject died on the 23d of February, 1893. Their family numbered twelve children, namely: Isabelle, the wife of Elijah Camery, of Henry, Illinois: Elizabeth, the wife of Robert Clyde, of Washington, Iowa; W. E., of this review: and nine who are deceased.
W. E. Brown acquired his education in the common schools and remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority. During the next five years he rented the farm on which he now resides and then purchased eighty acres of the old homestead place, to which he subsequently added another tract of eighty acres, his holdings now embracing one hundred and sixty acres on section 21, Jackson township. Here he has erected an attractive and commodious residence and all necessary outbuildings and in his farming operations has met with a commendable and gratifying measure of success, the well tilled fields annually yielding golden harvests in return for the care and labor which he bestow upon them.
On the 13th of February, 1868. Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Martha C. Booth, whose birth occurred in Bureau county. Illinois, December 11, 1846, her parents being Joseph and Hannah (Cooper) Booth. Both her father and mother were natives of England, emigrating to the United States in 1843 taking up their above in Bureau county, Illinois, where they resided until death claimed them. Joseph Booth passed away on the 6th of May. 18S3. while the demise of his wife occurred Feliruary 3, 1892. Unto this worthy couple were born nine children, as follows: Susan, the wife of G. F. Walbridge, of Los Angeles, California; Elizabeth, born May 20, 1835, who is now the widow of C. J. Rhodes and makes her home in Bureau county, Illinois; Squire, who was born October 19, 1838, and is now a resident of Oberlin, Ohio; Collin N., who was born October 11, 1841, and resides in Henry county, Illinois; Walter, whose birth occurred September 24, 1844, and who is now living in Princeton, Illinois; Mrs. Brown; Hannah M., bom November 25, 1849, who is deceased; Melissa T., who has also passed away; and David, who was born October 28, 1855, "d is a resident of Bureau county, Illinois. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Brown have been born three children: Effie May, whose birth occurred November 30, 1868, and who is now the wife of J. E. Wright, of Jackson township; Charles E., born August 24, 1871, who is also a resident of Jackson township; and Walter Scott, who was born July 22, 1878, and lives on the home farm. He wedded Miss Maud E. Chaffee, whose birth occurred in Greene county, Ohio, in 1881, and who came to Washington county, Iowa, with her parents when a maiden of thirteen years. Mr. and Mrs. Walter S. Brown have a daughter, [name withheld], born March 10, 1907.
In his political affiliation Mr. Brown is a stanch democrat and has been an active worker in the local ranks of the party, serving both as trustee and clerk, while for twelve years he was school director and for twenty-two years capable discharged his official duties in the position of treasurer. Both he and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which they take an active and helpful interest. Thev are highly esteemed in the community, their good qualities of heart and mind bringing to them the warm friendship of many with whom they have come in contact.
As printed in History of Washington County, Iowa from the first white settlements to 1908. Also biographical sketches of some prominent citizens of the county (1909). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1909. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.