Willis A. Brown

As printed in 1902

WILLIS A. BROWN.

One of the leading business men of Crawford county, Ohio, who is financially interested in many of its prominent industries and who is cashier of the Farmers' & Citizens' Bank of Tiro, is Willis A. Brown, who also owns and manager the leading mercantile business of this prosperous town. Willis Brown was born in Liberty Corners, in Vernon township, Crawford county, on July 22, 1859, anc ne was a son °f* Joseph D. and Sarah J. 1 Dickson) Brown, and a grandson of William Brown, who was a pioneer in Richland county in 1830. Seven children were born to the parents of Willis A. Brown, and our subject is one of the four survivors, the others being: Mary A., who is the wife of John Brown, Jr., of Vernon township;

Josie S., who is the wife of J. M. Van Tilburg, the postmaster of Tiro; and John E., who is a resident of Pasadena, California.

Willis A. Brown grew to manhood under the parental roof, and finished the common-school course before entering upon a business career, for which he has seemed peculiarly well fitted. In March. 1879, he entered the store of Brown & Davis, the former representing his father, in the capacity of a salesman. One year later the senior Mr. Brown purchased the interest of Mr. Davis and during the two succeeding years Willis proved to his father's satisfaction that he possessed the attributes which would enable him to become a successful man of business. In 1881 our subject and his brother-in-law. I. M. Van Tilburg, succeeded Mr. Joseph D. Brown in the business, the firm name being Brown and Van Tilburg, but two years later Mr. M. L. Callin purchased the interest of Mr. Van Tilburg and the firm name changed to Brown & Callin. This connection continued for two years at the end of which period our subject became the sole proprietor and successfully managed the growing interests by himself until in 1893, when his father-in-law. J. H. Stevens, was admitted into partnership, the latter purchasing a one-half interest, and the firm name was changed to Brown & Stevens. Three years later our subject again became the sole owner and since that time has most judiciously managed the affairs of the old and established house, with which his family name has been so long connected.

Mr. Brown is one of the progressive and energetic young men of the county and his mind has long been exercised concerning other business enterprises. One result was his organization, in April. [896, of the Farmer's & Citizens' Bank of Tiro, with Mr. A. C. Robinson as president, Joseph 1). Brown as vice-president and our subject as cashier, with Mr. C. L. Morton as assistant cashier. In April, 1899, Mr. Robinson died and Mr. J. M. Dickson purchased the interest of Mr. Robinson and was made president of the bank, since which time the officers of the institution have remained the same, with the exception of the withdrawal of Mr. Morton. This bank is recognized as one of the sound financial institutions of the county and its organizers and officers are men of the highest financial responsibility and (if unimpeachable integrity.

The marriage of Mr. Brown was on September 5. 1883. when he was united in marriage to Miss Nora Stevens, who was the daughter of J. H. Stevens, the latter now making his home with our subject. Four children have been born to this union, these being: Stevens W.; Sherman J., deceased; Sadie E.; and Edna A. Fraternally he is connected with Tiro Lodge, Xo. 592,

K. of P., of which he was a charter member. In political life he has been prominently identified with the Democratic party, and was made a member of the first board of election in the county, but he resigned that office to become postmaster, under the administration of President Cleveland, serving in that official capacity during both presidential terms. For some ten years Mr. Brown was the very satisfactory township treasurer and for two years he served with efficiency on the school board. All of his family are members of the Lutheran church and to this religious body he is liberal in his support of all Christian work.

Few men in the county have displayed more business ability in the same length of time than Mr. Crown. His mind is fertile in resource and quick to seize opportunity, while his judgment is calm and trustworthy. It was through his efforts that the Auburn Milling Company was organized, with. John VV. Hahn as president, who is also president of the Ohio Millers' Insurance Company, and our subject is one of the stockholders and is its secretary and treasurer. In 1896, when the Bell Spice Cabinet Company was organized, our subject became a member and for two years was president of this company, since that time filling the position of vice-president, and he is also a member of the Tiro Building & Loan Association, a very important business enterprise of this city, and acts as treasurer of this company also. The confidence he has inspired by his honorable business methods and his exemplary life place him in the front rank of the worthy representative men of Crawford county. He is practical and self-reliant and is of that mental fiber that enables him to seize business opportunity and to convince others of the wisdom of his decisions.

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.