BIOGRAPHIESSource:
Biographical history of
Northeastern Ohio
embracing the Counties of Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake -
Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co.,
1893
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MRS. OLIVER W. BROWN, nee
Lodema Switzer, widow of O. W. Brown,
deceased, is a representative of a very old and cultured family,
which has taken high rank in legal and literary circles. The
celebrated Judge Hess of Wabash, Indiana, is an
uncle of our subject, while the equally noted Judge
Lowry of Canton is also a near relative.
Jacob Switzer, our subject's father, came
from Berne, Switzerland, to America, in the latter part of the
eighteenth century and settled in Pennsylvania in 1800, and
afterward moved to Richland county, Ohio, where he purchased a
large tract of land, in Clear Fork valley, and died in December,
1881. Mrs. Brown's mother was of French
extraction, and many of her people were fine scholars and
statesmen. The Curry Institute at Pittsburg is under the
direction of her relatives. Mrs. Switzer, with her
youngest son and daughter, resides in Richland county, Ohio.
Our subject is the eldest of ten children, nine of whom
survive. Edmund B., the second, resides in Belleville,
Ohio; Louis, the third, is a resident of Richland county,
Ohio; James, the fourth, is also a well-known citizen of
Belleville, Ohio. The fifth, Flora Pierce, is a
resident of Butler, Ohio. The Pierce family is one
of the oldest and most prominent of western Ohio. The sixth,
Alexander, who was united in marriage to one of New Lyme's
daughters, Alice Rathbone, whose father, Dr.
Rathbone, is one of the most prominent citizens of that
township, is also a resident of Butler. The seventh, Mrs.
Ella Cline, resides in Cleveland, Ohio. Delvan,
the youngest son, remains with his mother in Butler; the
youngest daughter, Birdie, is a very bright and
well-known magazine writer. Her sketches, which are to be found
in many of the best periodicals, are of a very high order of
literary merit. All the sisters are elocutionists of
considerable ability, and of great literary culture. Miss
Switzer is also a very successful instructor in the
public schools of Richland county. Oliver Brown,
to whom our subject was united in marriage, was one of New
Lyme's foremost and most highly respected citizens. He was
previously married to Mary Lee, whose brother,
Judge Lee, was one of the most prominent citizens of
Ashtabula county, and is still well remembered by the older
residents. Since the death of Mr. Brown our
subject has been compelled to devote much of her time to the
management of the great Brown estate, consisting
of 800 acres of highly improved land. In spite of this great
care, however, she finds time for church and social duties. Our
subject is a consistent. member of the Presbyterian Church of
New Lyme and takes an active interest in its spiritual and
temporal growth. Mrs. Brown has a host of friends
and is highly esteemed for her many excellent qualities of mind
and heart.
Source:
Biographical history of northeastern Ohio -
Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co., 1893 - pages 1012 |
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