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Biographies
Source:
A Biographical History
of
Preble County, Ohio.
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Compendium of National Biography
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Illustrated
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Chicago
The Lewis Publishing Company
1900
.
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RETURN TO LIST OF BIOGRAPHICAL INDEXES >
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CHARLES E. BARMES.
The present well known postmaster of West Manchester, Ohio, was
born in Bartholomew county, Indiana, Nov. 16, 1848, and is a son
of Michael and Eliza (Wood) Barmes. His father was born
in Germany and was eleven years old when brought by his parents
to the United States. The family were among the first
settlers of Bartholomew county, Indiana, and there Michael
Barmes was reared upon a farm. He followed
agricultural pursuits throughout life and died at the age of
forty years. His wife, who is supposed to have been a
native of West Virginia, survived her husband only a week.
They were the parents of six children—five sons and one
daughter, namely: John, Charles E., James, Michael, Willard
and Mary.
Being left an orphan at an early age,
Charles E. Barmes began the battle of life for himself at
the age of thirteen years. For five years he lived with
Ebenezer Hitchbourn at Hope, Indiana, and while there
learned learned the cooper’s trade. He next went to
Union county, Indiana, where he made his home with a great aunt
for seven years, during which time he engaged in farming.
The following two years were spent in Richmond, that state, and
in 1879 he came to West Manchester, Ohio. Here he
successfully followed farming until 1897, when appointed
postmaster under President McKinley’s administration, and
is now most creditably and acceptably filling that office.
Mr. Barmes was first married in 1881, to Mary
Braddock, and for his second wife wedded Adena Brown,
a daughter of John Brown. They have no children.
Socially Mr. Barmes affiliates with the Knights of
Pythias at Eldorado, and politically is identified with the
Republican party. He has served as township clerk of
Monroe township, being elected four times, and has also filled
the office of road commissioner and trustee of West Manchester.
He is recognized as one of the most valuable and useful citizens
of his community, always ready to aid any enterprise for the
public good.
Source: A Biographical History of
Preble County, Ohio - Illustrated - Published 1900 - Page 392 |
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C. F. BROOKE, JR.
Prominent in the business, social and political circles of
Eaton, and highly esteemed for his many admirable
characteristics, Mr. Brooke certainly deserves
representation in this volume. He was born in Cincinnati,
Ohio, on the 21st of March, 1857, and is a representative of one
of the old families of Virginia. The paternal grandfather,
John C. Brooke, on leaving his home in Rockingham county,
Virginia, took up his abode in Warren county, Ohio, on a farm,
afterward removing to Preble county and later to Eaton, where he
lived until his death. He died of cholera at the home of
his son, C. F. Brooke, in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1866.
He had been living in Warren county, however, for some time
prior to his death. The maternal grandfather of our
subject was James B. Finley, a prominent Indian
missionary whose life was devoted to work among the red men of
Kentucky in an early day. He wrote a number of books
and was a devout Christian gentleman whose influence was most
marked and beneficial.
C. F. Brooke, Sr., the father of our subject,
was numbered among Ohio’s native sons, his birth having occurred
near Waynesville, in Warren county. There he was reared to
manhood and in early life he engaged in teaching school.
He afterward lived in Germantown, Ohio, for some years. He
was a hatter by trade and after following that pursuit for some
time, taught school at West Alexandria, Preble county. In
1850 he went to Cincinnati, where for a number of years he
occupied the important position of superintendent of the
Bradstreet Mercantile Agency, his territory being the western
states. While his parents resided in Cincinnati, the birth
of our subject occurred there in 1857. He began his
education in the public schools there, and when ten years of age
accompanied his parents on their removal to Eaton, where he
continued his studies. In 1873 he matriculated in the Ohio
Wesleyan University at' Delaware, and later he attended
Pierce’s Union Business College in Philadelphia, being thus
well qualified for the practical and responsible duties of life.
In 1878 he accepted the position of bookkeeper in the employ of
the Excelsior School Furniture Company in Cincinnati. In
1879 he became a teller in the First National Bank in Eaton,
serving in that capacity until 1883, when the cashier died and
he was appointed to fill the vacancy. In July, 1884, the
bank went into voluntary liquidation, soon after the Farmers &
Citizens’ Bank was organized, since which time Mr.
Brooke has been its cashier. Its growth and success is
due in no small measure to his business ability, his untiring
efforts, his accommodating manner and his courteous treatment of
the patrons of the bank. He is also the president of the
Eaton Telephone Company, which purchased the plant of the old
company, doubled its facilities and is now doing a very rapidly
increasing business. It is one of the leading enterprises
of the town.
In his political affiliations Mr. Brooke is a
stanch Democrat, taking an active interest in the questions of
the day and doing all in his power to promote the growth and
insure the success of the party. He was for some years the
chairman of the Democratic executive committee of the county and
his labors were very effective in promoting the interests of the
political organization with which he is allied. He was offered
the nomination for congress in the fourth congressional district
of Ohio, then largely Democratic, in 1890, but refused to accept
it. He was also offered the nomination for state senator
in 1897 and again refused the proferred honor. A valued
member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity, he has filled all
the offices of the local lodge, has been very active in its work
and has served as a representative to the grand lodge. He
joined the organization in Eaton when it was very weak, having a
membership of only forty, but largely through his efforts it has
become a very strong society, with a membership of two hundred
and sixty. He is the deputy grand chancellor of the
district comprising Warren, Preble and Butler counties, and with
a thorough understanding of the benevolent principles of the
order he labors earnestly for their promulgation, and his life
exemplifies the teachings of the fraternity. One of the
leading social organizations of Eaton is known as the Gridiron
Club, of which Mr. Brooke is a prominent member
and one of its chief cooks. He has been the president of
the club since its organization in 1896. The membership is
limited to fifteen, and at their weekly banquets no townspeople
are ever invited; but many invited guests from a distance are
entertained weekly at its meetings, and the club on this account
has a wide reputation.
On the 28th of August, 1888, Mr. Brooke
was happily married to Miss Mary V. Gould, a daughter of
L. G. Gould, who is the editor of the Eaton Democrat.
They enjoy the hospitality of the best homes of the city and
their own pleasant residence is the center of a cultured society
circle. They are noted for the many social gatherings
given at their home, and are spoken of as prince and queen of
entertainers.
Source: A Biographical History of
Preble County, Ohio - Illustrated - Published 1900 - Page 521 |
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PHILLIP BROOKS,
celebrated as an eloquent preacher and able pulpit orator, was
born in Boston on the 13th day of December, 1835. He
received excellent educational advantages, and graduated at
Harvard in 1855. Early in life he decided upon the
ministry as his life work and studied theology in the Episcopal
Theological Seminary, at Alexandria, Virginia. In 1859 he
was ordained and the same year became pastor of the Church of
the Advent, in Philadelphia. Three years later he assumed
the pastorate of the Church of the Holy Trinity, where he
remained until 1870. At the expiration of that time he
accepted the pastoral charge of Trinity Church in Boston, where
his eloquence and ability attracted much attention and built up
a powerful church organization. Dr. Brooks also
devoted considerable time to lecturing and literary work and
attained prominence in these lines.
Source: A Biographical History of
Preble County, Ohio - Illustrated - Published 1900 - Page 130 |
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JOHN BROWER.
John Brower is one of the veterans of the civil
war and a wide-awake, progressive farmer of Dixon township.
His birth occurred Oct. 26, 1842. His father, Daniel
Brower, was born near West Alexandria, the grandfather
removing from Virginia to the Buckeye state. For many
years Daniel Brower was a minister of the German
Baptist church, and his earnest Christian life furnished an
example well worthy of emulation. In business affairs he
was successful, and in all life’s relations he commanded the
respect and confidence of his fellow men. His wife, who
bore the maiden name of Sarah Shiverly, died in
1876. They were the parents of five children of whom three
yet survive, namely: Christina, who became the wife of
William Harvey, of Howard county, Indiana; John, of
this review, and Henry W., of Richmond, Indiana.
Mr. Brower, whose name introduces
thisrecord, pursued his education in the common schools and at
an early age began earning his own livelihood by working as a
farm hand. When his industry and economy had brought him
sufficient capital he invested it in land, thus becoming owner
of his present farm of one hundred and twenty acres in 1870.
In addition to this he operates the farm of one hundred and
sixty acres owned by Carey Toney. He is a
wide-awake and progressive
agriculturist whose labors are energetically conducted, bringing
to him good financial return . At the time of the civil war he
responded to the country’s call for troops, enlisting on the
20th of May, 1864, as a member of the One Hundred and
Fifty-sixth Ohio Infantry.
In September, 1866, Mr. Brower was united
in marriage to Miss Rebecca Marshall, a
daughter of Josiah Marshall and a representative
of one of the old families of this section of Ohio. Eleven
children have been born of their union,, nine of whom are now
living, namely: Daniel, William, Josiah,
Albert, Ira, Clara, Alice, Ethel
and Homer. The eldest son is now in Connersville,
Indiana, but the other children are at home. Mr.
and Mrs. Brower both hold membership with the
German Baptist church, in which he has served as deacon since
1886. They take a very active part in its work, doing all
in their power to promote its welfare, and are most highly
respected people, justly meriting the warm regard of their
friends.
Source: A Biographical History of Preble
County, Ohio - Illustrated - Published 1900 - Page 233 |
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SYLVANUS A. BROWER.
Sylvanus A. Brower, who is devoting his attention to a
dual pursuit, being both a farmer and a commercial, man, was
born in Jackson township, Preble county, Ohio, on the 10th of
March, 1850, and is a son of Jacob L. and Susan (Surface)
Brower. The father was born Jan. 2, 1821, his parents
being Abraham and Sarah (Long) Brower, who belonged to an
old Pennsylvania-Dutch family and came to Preble county at a
very early period in its development, locating in Jackson
township. The grandfather died Mar. 20, 1875, in the
eightieth year of his age. He had inherited a farm from
his father, James Long—the property now owned by
Isaac Tyler. There he lived and died, and at
his death the farm became the property of Jacob Brower,
and from him passed to our subject, who sold it to Mr. Tyler.
Jacob Brower, the father of our subject,
has spent the last four years in New Paris. He lived upon
the old homestead between the years 1868 and 1878, but at the
latter date sold the property to his son and purchased a farm of
one hundred and ten acres directly west of the old place.
In his early life he learned the blacksmith's trade and for
twenty years he followed that pursuit in Upshur and Orangeburg,
Ohio, also in Connersville, Indiana. It was in that place
that he learned his trade from Henry Wetherel.
While thus engaged his employer allowed him to have a spirited
horse in order to ride home to see his people. When they
reached the bridge across White river the horse became unruly
and backed off into the water. The animal was
killed and Mr. Brower was crippled for life. He
was, however, a man of great energy and strong determination,
prosecuting his business interests so carefully and diligently
that his efforts were attended with success. In this way
he accumulated a handsome competence that now enables him to
live retired ac his home in New Paris. His life has been
very honorable and upright. He has long been strongly
opposed to the use of tobacco and liquor and for twenty years
never passed inside the doors of a saloon. While not a
church member, he has ever been a supporter of church and
charitable work, and his word has ever been as good as any bond
solemnized by signature or seal. He was a strong
anti-slavery man prior to the war, and after the inauguration of
hostilities between the north and the south he offered his
services to the government, but being a cripple he was not
allowed to enlist. In early life he was an enthusiastic
supporter of the Whig party, but upon the organization of the
Republican party he joined its ranks and has since been one of
its earnest advocates.
Mr. Brower married Miss Susan Surface,
who was born in Jackson township, about the year 1824, and died
Sept. 13, 1877. She was a daughter of Henry
Surface, a native of Pennsylvania, who married Miss
Long, a native of Germany. On coming to Preble
county he located in
Jackson township on the farm now owned by Samuel
Griffis. There he reared a large family. He was killed
by damp in a well on the Benner farm, after which
the grandmother reared the family. Henry, the
oldest son, assumed the management of the place and affairs were
carefully conducted. By the marriage of Mr. and Mrs.
Brower six children have been born, of whom four are living,
namely: Sylvanus A., the subject of this review; Emma
C.; Amanda E.; and Horace G., a farmer of
Jackson township. The two daughters are at home, keeping house
for their father.
Mr. Brower, whose name introduces this
review, was reared upon the home farm, and in the common schools
acquired his preliminary education which was supplemented by a
course in the high school of New Paris. At the age of
twenty he began teaching in the Cedar Springs school and after
following that profession for some time he entered the State
University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor. He worked at various
times in order to meet the expense of his college course, but
spent three years in the university and afterward entered Oxford
University. He was also a student for one year at the
United Brethren College at Westerville. During his college
days he became a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity.
His liberal education well fitted him for life’s practical
duties.
On the 28th of March, 1875, Mr. Brower
was united in marriage to Miss Emma Markey, a daughter of
Christian Markey. He then located on his father’s farm in
Jackson township and there resided for one year, after which he
engaged in teaching in the Cedar Springs school. The next
year he lived upon his father-in-law’s farm, and the following
year purchased his grandfather’s homestead of one hundred and
thirty acres. He also taught school for one year after
buying that property, but subsequently turned his
attention more exclusively to farming, giving his time entirely
to the operation of his land until 1883, when he sold that farm
and purchased one hundred and seventy-four acres in Dixon
township, upon which he now resides. Later he bought twenty-six
acres adjoining and afterward purchased another farm, of one
hundred and sixty acres, next to the home place. In 1883
the nomination for county commissioner on the Republican
ticket was tendered to him. He did not seek the
nomination, but when it was offered to him he accepted it.
Together with the other nominees on the ticket, however, he was
defeated. In 1894 he became associated with the Bradley
Fertilizer Company, of Boston, which is one of the largest
concerns of the country. He has represented this house in
Preble and adjoining counties for three years and also travels
over one-third of Indiana, being upon the road the greater part
of his time. He sells the fertilizers in car-loads to
dealers, and does an extensive business in his line, being one
of the leading representatives upon the road : in fact he is one
of the most trusted employes of the house, enjoying the
unqualified confidence of his employers and the high regard of
his many patrons.
Source: A Biographical History of
Preble County, Ohio - Illustrated - Published 1900 - Page 447 |
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THEODORE
BROWER. Theodore Brower, a
well-known stockman of Preble county, claims Indiana as the
state of his nativity, his birth having occurred in Warren,
Huntington county, on the 12th of October, 1851. He was
one of a family of eleven children born unto Christopher and
Mary (Bloomfield) Brower. The family is of German
lineage. David Brower, the grandfather of
our subject, emigrated from Saxony to America in early manhood,
and from Virginia removed to Ohio in 1800, taking up his abode
in Montgomery county, where he lived until 1811. He then
came to Preble county and purchased one hundred and sixty acres
of land on section 29, Washington township, where he developed a
farm, making for his family a good home.
Christopher Brower, the father of our
subject, was born in Montgomery county, Ohio. July 31,
1808, and was reared on the old family homestead in Washington
township, Preble county. He assisted his father in the
distillation of spirits, the latter conducting a distillery in
connection with the operation of his farm. Christopher
also learned the carpenter’s trade, and after his marriage
removed to Eaton, where he engaged in merchandising until 1840,
and then he removed to Warren, Indiana, where he resided for
eighteen years, engaged in contracting and building.
During that time he also served for sixteen years as a justice
of the peace, and was recognized as one of the leading and
influential men of the locality. About 1858 he returned to
Preble county and took care of his wife's parents, living on
their farm on section 30, Washington township. Three years
later he purchased a farm of one hundred and fifty-eight acres
on section 36, Jackson township, where he made his home until
his removal to Eaton, in 1877. There he resided until
after his wife’s death, when he went to live with his son,
Theodore.
On the 1 6th of August 1831, Mr. Brower
was united in marriage to Mary Bloomfield, a daughter of
John and Susan (Hopkins) Bloomfield, of Washington
township, Preble county. She was born there Feb. 13, 1815,
and was therefore numbered among the honored pioneer women of
this section of the state. She witnessed almost the entire
growth and development of the county, and with her people shared
in the hardships and trials of frontier life. Her death occurred
at her home in Eaton, Sept. 11, 1898, and Mr. Brower
passed away at the home of his son Theodore, July 24,
1899, when almost ninety-one years of age. In his early life he
had experiencd the hardships and difficulties which fall to the
lot of those who seek to make a home on the frontier, and during
that period he developed habits of industry, economy and honesty
which proved to him of great value in later years, enabling him
to acquire a handsome competence. He was a man of domestic
tastes and his residence possessed a real spirit of home, being
a place of rest, pleasure and shelter. Six of the children
of the family are still living, namely: Syrina, the wife
of Marshall Kilander, a shoe merchant of Winamac,
Indiana; Judith, the wife of James R. Bennett, who
is living retired in Bluffton, Indiana; Milton, a retired
farmer, whose home is in Morrisville, Missouri; Melissa,
the wife of Wesley Maddock, a retired farmer of
Oakley, Kansas; Susan A., the wife of Joshua
Williamson, a carpenter of Noblesville, Indiana; and
Theodore.
The last named spent his youth in the usual manner of
farmer lads of the period. He attended the common schools,
aided in the labors of the field and meadow and enjoyed the
sports in which boys of the time engaged. On attaining his
majority he assumed the management of the home farm, and about
four years after his father’s removal to Eaton he purchased the
homestead, which he still owns. Immediately afterward he
began buying and shipping stock on a small scale, but as the
years passed by he extended his labors in that direction, his
business assuming considerable magnitude, constantly increasing
in volume and importance. In order to secure better
shipping facilities he rented his farm in 1889 and moved to his
present home at New Hope Station, in order to give his entire
attention to the stock business. His purchase, sales and
shipments are extensive and his business is profitable. In
1893 he was made one of the employes of the Union Stock Yards at
Chicago and filled that position until the summer of 1894, when
he returned to his home in New Hope Station and again assumed
business on his own account as a stock dealer.
On the 9th of February, 1874, Mr. Brower
married Alice Eidson, a native of Olney, Illinois,
and a daughter of Thomas and Rachel (Foutz) Eidson. They
had two children, one of whom is living, Le Roy, now
engaged in the cigar business in Eaton, Ohio. On the first
day of August, 1896, Mr. Brower was again married,
his second union being with Miss Anna Wise, a native of
Parkersburg, West Virginia, and a daughter of August
and Thresa (Luebkert) Wise. They
have one son, Hugo.
In his political views Mr. Brower is a
Republican, active in support of the party, and at various times
has served as delegate to the county and state conventions.
He is one of the well known residents of Preble county, where he
has long resided. Long and actively connected with the
agricultural and stock dealing interests of community, he has
become widely known in business circles and his straightforward
methods have ever commanded the confidence and support of the
public.
Source: A Biographical History of Preble County, Ohio -
Illustrated - Published 1900 - Page 292 |
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THEODORE F. BROWER.
Theodore F. Brower is a self-made man who started upon
his business career without capital, but is to-day the possessor
of a comfortable competence as the result of his well-directed
and honorable efforts. He is now extensively engaged in
the livery business, having a liberal patronage. Born in
Lanier township, Preble county, on the 15th of May, 1843, Mr.
Brower is a son of Henry and Catherine (Nevinger) Brower.
His father also was born in Lanier township, about 1821, and the
grandfather was one of the earliest settlers of this section of
the state. Upon the old home farm Henry Brower was
reared, and having arrived at years of maturity he married
Miss Nevinger. He then took up his abode upon a
farm adjoining his father’s land, and throughout his life,
covering a period of seventy years, he remained a resident of
Preble county, his home being in Lanier and Twin townships.
His death occurred in 1891, and the comunity thereby lost
one of its valued citizens. In early life he was a Whig and
later was a supporter of the Republican party. His wife
was a native of Pennsylvania and came to Ohio during her
childhood, her parents locating in Montgomery county, whence
they removed to West Alexandria. There the grandfather
opened and conducted a hotel in the early days of the town, but
later returned to Montgomery county, where he resided up to the
time of his death. Mr. and Mrs. Brower became the
parents of thirteen children, ten of whom are living, namely
Sarah J., the widow of James Bennett, of Eaton, Ohio;
Albert, a farmer of Lanier township; Theodore F.,
our subject; Joseph, who is living in Farmersville,
Montgomery county, where he is engaged in the livery business;
Alice, the wife of William Kuntz, of Lanier
township; Andrew, a farmer of Twin township; William,
who is also living in Twin township; Oscar, a resident
farmer of Lanier township; Charlie, who is carrying on
agricultural pursuits near Anderson, Indiana, and Minnie E.,wife
of Leander Baker, of Dayton. Two children
died in childhood, and George Brower, one of the
children, was killed at the battle of Nashville, while serving
in the civil war.
Mr. Brower, whose name introduces this
review, spent the first eighteen years of his life on the home
farm, and the labors and duties of the field became familiar to
him through actual experience. In June, 1862, he responded
to the country's call for troops, enlisting as a member of
Company H, Ninety-third Ohio Infantry. He served as a
private and participated in many important engagements,
including the battles of Stone River, Perryville, Chickamauga,
Chattanooga, Resaca and Mission Ridge, and the almost continuous
fighting of the Atlanta campaign. He was in the battles of
Pulaski and of Nashville. He was captured at Chickamauga
on Saturday, but the following day made his escape and rejoined
his regiment. At the battle of Resaca he was wounded and
was confined in the hospital at Bridgeport, Alabama, for three
weeks, when he again rejoined his regiment. Always found
at his post of duty, he was true and loyal to the cause, and
with an honorable military career he returned to his home, after
being mustered out at Nashville, in June, 1865.
On again reaching Ohio Mr. Brower resumed
farming. He was married in 1866, to Miss Catherine Black,
and to them has been born a daughter, Ella, now the wife
of William Fonts, a proprietor, with his brother,
of a woolen mill of Lanier township. They resided upon the
farm for six years, after which Mr. Brower engaged
in the sewing machine business for a similar period. He
then began selling trees, but as that business kept him so much
from his home and family he abandoned it and in 1884 entered the
employ of Coffman & Burtner, liverymen, with whom he
remained for eight years. In 1893 he purchased the
business, assuming a heavy indebtedness, but in the ensuing
three years he managed to pay off all this, and at the same time
saved capital sufficient to enable him to erect a residence
property and to build a commodious livery barn. The
keynote of his success has been untiring industry. He has
not been afraid of hard work and his untiring labor has brought
to him the success for which he strove. His honorable
business methods have secured to him a liberal patronage, and he
now enjoys a good income from the rental of his teams and rigs.
In 1871 Mr. Brower was called upon to
mourn the loss of his wife. Later he married Miss Belle
Dininger, a native of West Alexandria and a daughter of
John Dininger, one of the pioneer blacksmiths of the town.
Their union has been blessed with three children: Carrie
Alice; John R., who is interested with his father in the
livery business; and Raymond T. Mr. Brower is a
member of O’Kane Post, G. A. R., of Eaton. In politics he
gives his support to the Republican party where questions of
state and national importance are involved, but at local
elections, where only the fitness of the candidates is to be
taken into consideration, he votes for the men whom he regards
as best qualified for office. His wife and daughter are
members of the Methodist church and to its support he
contributes liberally. He certainly deserves great credit
for his success in life, and his example should serve to
encourage others who must enter upon a business career without
wealth, influential friends or special advantages to aid them.
Source: A Biographical History of
Preble County, Ohio - Illustrated - Published 1900 - Page 244 |
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CLARA J. BROWN - See
NATHAN BROWN Source: A Biographical History of
Preble County, Ohio - Illustrated - Published 1900 - Page 401 |
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DANIEL BROWN.
Daniel Brown is engaged in the livery business in
New Paris, and is an enterprising citizen of this community.
He was born in Harrison township, Preble county, on the 14th of
July, 1835. His father, George A. Brown, was a
native of North Carolina, and during his boyhood was brought to
Preble county. His father, Adam Brown, was one of
the pioneer settlers of this community. There were only
three men in the county when he located within its borders, and
he left the impress of his individuality upon the pioneer
development of the state. Amid the wild scenes of the
frontier George A. Brown was reared and later he married
Miss Mary Ebersole, a native of Maryland, who came
westward to Preble county with her parents during her girlhood.
Her father, Feltz Ebersole, was a native of Maryland and
followed the occupation of farming in Preble county for many
years. Both the father and mother of our subject were of
German descent, and the latter could speak only the German
language when she came to Ohio. By their marriage were
born eight children, all natives of Preble county, and Daniel
Brown, of this review, is the fourth in order of birth.
He was reared upon a farm in Harrison township and remained at
home until he had attained his majority. During that
period he pursued his education in the district school and
engaged in farming until twenty-two years of age, when he
removed to La Salle county, Illinois, spending a year in the
Prairie state. On the expiration of that period he
returned to Preble county and engaged in farming, a pursuit
which he followed for some years. About 1870, however, he
removed to Noble county, Indiana, where he spent two years in
connection with the agricultural interests of that locality.
He then returned to Harrison township, and in 1892 he came to
New Paris. The following year he embarked in the livery
business, which he has since carried on and in his undertaking
he receives a liberal patronage.
Mr. Brown was married, in Harrison
township, to Miss Mary E. Lock, a native of that
township, and to them have been born three children: Emma L.,
now the wife of James Harris, a resident of New
Madison, Darke county, Ohio, employed as a traveling salesman;
Logan L., a successful teacher now serving as the clerk
of the courts; and Cordelia M., at home. Mr.
Brown exercises his right of franchise in support of the
men and measures of the Democratic party, but has never aspired
to office, his attention being fully occupied by his business
affairs, in which he is meeting with good success. His
life has been a quiet yet useful and honorable one, commending
him to the confidence and good will of all with whom he has been
brought in contact.
Source: A Biographical History of Preble
County, Ohio - Illustrated - Published 1900 - Page 356 |
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HENRY BROWN.
One of the leading farmers of Monroe township, Henry
Brown, whose home is on section 9, is a representative of
one of the oldest and most highly respected families of Preble
county. He was born in Monroe township, Mar. 10, 1850, and is
the oldest living son of John and Sarah (Banta) Brown, of
whom more extended mention is made in connection with the sketch
of John Brown on another page of this volume.
Our subject attended the district schools near his boyhood
home, and acquired an excellent knowledge of farm work while
assisting his father. He remained under the parental roof
until twenty-six years of age, when he was married, October 12,
1876, to Miss Eliza McClure, the oldest
daughter of David and Martha (Kyle) McClure, of Butler
township, Darke county, Ohio, where she was born, reared and
educated. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have three sons:
Harley E., born in Monroe township, Preble county, Apr. 26,
1879; Glenn D., born Oct. 30, 1886; and Ray M.,
born Aug. 16, 1890. All are at home.
After his marriage Mr. Brown located on his father’s
farm, on section 12, Monroe township, where he remained about
two years, and then removed to the J. W. Leas farm, west
of West Manchester, where he was engaged in general farming
until 1887. when he bought the farm where he now resides,
but did not locate thereon until the following year. Here
he has sixty-one acres of rich and fertile land, which he has
placed under a high state of cultivation. He has also made
many improvements upon the place, including the erection of a
pleasant, modern, six-room residence, in 1899, at a cost of
eight hundred dollars. He is a thorough and skillful
farmer and is meeting with well deserved success in his labors.
Politically he is identified with the Democratic party and has
served as township trustee one term. He is a member of the
Christian church and is held in high regard by all who know him.
Source: A Biographical History of Preble
County, Ohio - Illustrated - Published 1900 - Page 274 |
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JAMES S. BROWN.
James Scott Brown is a worthy representative of the
agricultural interests of Israel township. He was born
near Morning Sun, Nov. 23, 1830, and is a son of James Brown
and a grandson of Nathan Brown, both natives of
South Carolina. He is the second child and son in a family
of twelve children, of whom four sons and four daughters reached
years of maturity.
Mr. Brown of this review remained at home
upon the farm and received an ordinary district-school
education. He has always followed the pursuit to which he
was reared. He was married Oct. 11, 1859, to Julia A.
Robertson, a native of Spring Hill, Decatur county, Indiana,
born in July, 1841. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. David
Robertson, were married in South Carolina, and removed to
Iowa in 1846. Our subject and his wife located on their
present farm of one hundred and fifty-eight acres, which had
been purchased by his father in 1852, They located here in 1859,
and here they have reared their nine children, namely:
William M., a physician now in the mining regions of Idaho,
whither he went from Omaha, Nebraska, began his practice in the
latter state and six years later went to the northwest. He
was educated at Oxford, Ohio, in Monmouth, Illinois, and
Cincinnati. He married Emma Sherman, who was
born on the Hudson, in New York, and they have two daughters. J.
Clayton Robertson, the second son, resides on the old home
property. He wedded Mary Edna Gilmer and they have
one son and one daughter. Bertha E. is the wife of
C. C. McCreary, and they have one living daughter.
N. Stanley is a commercial traveler residing in Omaha,
Nebraska. J. Arthur Scott went to the west in 1898
for his health, leaving the Xenia, Ohio, Theological Seminary,
where he was then pursuing a course of study. Ina M.,
Edith Etta and Lois Julia are at home, and
Oliver Elliott died at the age of six years.
During the civil war Mr. Brown manifested
his loyalty to the government by enlisting, in 1864, in response
to the call for one-hundred-day men. He joined Company A,
One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Ohio Infantry, of which he was a
lieutenant before the call. He went to the front as a
sergeant, for on joining the United States service all of the
officers resigned and their regiment was reorganized. Upon
his return Mr. Brown resumed farming and is
regarded as one of the enterprising agriculturists of the
community. Wheat and corn are his leading crops. He
rotates his crops, planting his corn on clover sod and then
raises one or two crops of wheat, after which he “seeds it
down.” He harvests from six to fifteen hundred bushels of
wheat annually and has about thirty or forty acres planted with
corn, which averages fifty bushels to the acre. He follows
progressive methods of farming and his enterprising efforts have
secured to him a comfortable competence.
In his political views Mr. Brown is a
Republican and gives an earnest and active support to the party.
He and his family are members of the United Presbyterian church,
and he belongs to that class of enterprising citizens who
withhold their support from no measure or movement which they
believe will prove of public benefit. His life has been
quietly passed, yet his history lacks not that interest which is
ever found in the record of the man who is true to his duty, to
himself, his neighbor and his country.
Source: A Biographical History of
Preble County, Ohio - Illustrated - Published 1900 - Page 529 |
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JOHN BROWN ("Brown
of Ossawatomie"), a noted character in American history, was
born at Torrington, Connecticut, May 9, 1800. In his
childhood he removed to Ohio, where he learned the tanner's
trade. He married there, and in 1855 settled in Kansas.
He lived at the village of Ossawatomie in that state, and there
began his fight against slavery. He advocated immediate
emancipation, and held that the negroes of the slave states
merely waited for a leader in an insurrection that would result
in their freedom. He attended the convention called at
Chatham, Canada, in 1859, and was the leading spirit in
organizing a raid upon the United States arsenal at Harper’s
Ferry, Virginia. His plans were well laid, and carried out in
great secrecy. He rented a farm house near Harper’s Ferry
in the summer of 1859, and on October 16th of that year, with
about twenty followers, he surprised and captured the United
States arsenal, with all its supplies and arms. To his
surprise, the negroes did not come to his support, and the next
day he was attacked by the Virginia state militia, wounded and
captured. He was tried in the courts of the state,
convicted, and was hanged at Charlestown, Dec. 2, 1859.
The raid and its results had a tremendous effect, and hastened
the culmination of the troubles between the north and south.
The south had the advantage in discussing this event, claiming
that the sentiment which inspired this act of violence was
shared by the anti-slavery element of the country.
Source: A Biographical History of Preble
County, Ohio - Illustrated - Published 1900 - Page 51 |
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JOHN
BROWN. John Brown, whose
home is on section 12, Monroe township, was for many years one
of the active and enterprising farmers of Preble county, as well
as one of its most reliable and honored citizens, and now in his
declining years he is enjoying a well earned rest, free from the
cares and responsibilities of business life. Throughout
the county he is widely and favorably known, his entire life
having been passed here.
Mr. Brown was born in Monroe township,
Oct. 21, 1821, and is a worthy representative of one of the
honored pioneer families of the state. His father,
George Brown, was a native of Randolph county,
North Carolina, and a son of Michael Brown, who was
probably born in the same state, of German ancestry, and came to
Ohio about 1808, locating first in Montgomery county, but later
removing to Preble county. His last days were spent in
Monroe township, where he died at the advanced age of
eighty-nine years. The father of our subject was only nine
years old when he came with his parents to this state, and when
a young man the family removed to Preble county. In Monroe
township he married Sarah Nethercutt, who was born
in West Virginia in 1795, and died at the age of fifty-two
years. Her father, William Nethercutt, was
born in Virginia, of English parentage,
and came to Preble county, Ohio, about 1816. He was a
soldier of the Revolutionary war. After his marriage the
father of our subject located on section 12, Monroe township,
where in the midst of the forest he improved a farm, making it
his home until he died, at the age of sixty-two years.
George and Sarah (Nethercutt) Brown were the
parents of twelve children, five sons and seven daughters, all
born in Monroe township, and all reached manhood or womanhood,
namely: Mary, now deceased; John, our subject;
Elizabeth, deceased; Frederick, a resident of Kansas;
Sarah, the wife of Eli Lock, of Kokomo, Indiana;
Matilda, deceased; George W., a resident of Noble
county, Indiana; Docia, the wife of Jesse Ott,
of Noble county, Indiana; Alpha, the wife of Thomas
Gaff, of Whitley county, Indiana; William, a
resident of West Manchester, this county; Harriet, the
widow of Garrett Brumbaugh, of Union City,
Indiana; and Daniel, of Pittsburg, Kansas.
During the boyhood of our subject the greater part of
this county was still in its primitive condition; wild animals
roamed through the forests and useful game of all kinds was
plentiful. He attended school in the common log school
house with its greased-paper window, slab seats and rude desks
made by laying a board across pins driven into the wall.
This primitive structure was a mile and a quarter from his home.
He aided his father in the arduous task of clearing and
cultivating a new farm, beginning work at the age of eight years
and continuing to assist in the labors of the home farm until
twenty-four.
On the 3d of February, 1847, Mr. Brown
married Miss Sarah Banta, who was born in Warren county,
Ohio, and when a young girl came to this county with her
parents, Henry and Mabel (Gustin) Banta, also natives of
Warren county. By this union were born five children:
George, deceased; Henry, a farmer of Monroe township,
killed on his farm by lightning June 29, 1900; Mary
Adena, the wife of Charles Barmes, postmaster
of West Manchester; William Gustin, a physician of
Lewisburg, Preble county; and Elmer, who died young.
The mother of these children died in 1857.
Mr. Brown was again married, Aug. 4,
1859, his second union being with Miss Sarah
Byrum, who was born near Trenton, Butler county, Ohio, Feb.
17, 1832, and at the age of seventeen commenced teaching school,
a profession which she successfully followed for ten years, or
until her marriage. Her father, Silas Byrum,
was a native of Darke county, Ohio, and a wagonmaker by
occupation. In Butler county he married Mary
Clark, a native of that county, and they became the parents
of eight daughters, of whom Mrs. Brown is the
eldest. She was only two years old when her father removed
to Darke county, locating nine miles west of Greenville, where
she was reared. Her great-grandmother, Phebe Ross, made
the first American flag. Several of her ancestors were soldiers
of the Revolution, and her grandfather Clark was taken
prisoner by the British during that struggle. One of her
great-uncles was a member of Washington’s life guard.
By his second marriage Mr. Brown had six children,
namely: Lucina, at home; Silas E., a farmer of
Monroe township; Harriet E., the wife of A. J. Smith,
a farmer of the same township; John A., deceased;
Gilbert T., a physician of Philisburg, Montgomery county,
Ohio; and Alpha R., the wife of Frank Hodge,
of Germantown, Montgomery county.
In early life Mr. Brown learned the
cabinetmaker’s trade and for three months after his first
marriage he followed that occupation in Castino, Darke county,
but at the end of that time he removed to Monroe township,
Preble county, and located on the Henry Banta farm
on section 13. For about two years he taught school during
the winter months, while through the summer season he worked at
his trade. His first purchase of land consisted of forty
acres in the northwest corner of section 12, Monroe township, on
which was a little cabin, where the family lived for a time,
while he devoted his energies to the further improvement and
cultivation of his little farm. After residing there for
five years he removed to his present farm on the same section,
where he has one hundred and fifty-eight acres of land, upon
which he has made all of the improvements. He has cleared
over one hundred acres of land in Monroe township, and in other
ways has materially aided in the advancement of the county.
He now resides on his farm, and is living retired from active
business cares, enjoying a well earned rest.
Mr. Brown cast his first presidential
vote for Martin Van Buren, and has always
been a stalwart supporter of the Democratic party. For the
long period of twenty-five years he efficiently served as a
township trustee; was township treasurer one term and was
several times the candidate of his party for county
commissioner, but as Preble county has a large Republican
majority he failed of election. He is held in high regard
by all who know him, and is deserving of honorable mention among
the pioneers and representative citizens of his native county.
Source: A Biographical History of Preble County, Ohio -
Illustrated - Published 1900 - Page 441 |
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LOGAN L. BROWN.
For several years this gentleman has been one of the most
popular and successful educators of Preble county, and is now
serving as clerk of the courts of the county, having been
elected to that office in 1899. He was born in Noble
county, Indiana, Jan. 13, 1869, and is a son of Daniel and
Mary E. (Lock) Brown, who are represented on another page of
this volume.
Our subject was only two years old at the time of the
removal of the family from Noble county, Indiana, to Preble
county, Ohio, and in the district schools of Harrison township
he began his education. He next attended the Euphemia
grammar school, and for a time was a student in the high school
at Lewisburg. He began the profession of teaching in
Georgetown, Preble county, but desiring to obtain a better
education he only taught one term at that time, after which he
took a classical course at the Ohio Normal University at Ada,
Hardin county, H. S. Lehr being president of the
institution at that time. He afterward returned to
Georgetown, where he successfully taught school for seven years.
He taught one term in Montgomery county, this state, and then
resigned his position there to become a teacher in the high
school at New Paris, where he remained one year, and then became
the principal of the West Sonora schools, a position he was
holding at the time he was elected county clerk.
In 1893 he was graduated at the Miami Commercial
College, at Dayton, Ohio, which was one of the ten colleges
represented at the World’s Fair, and he was the corresponding
secretary for the fair exhibit for that institution. He
took the required examination and received a diploma from the
World’s Fair board. For eleven years he successfully
followed the profession of teaching, and was prominent as a
member of the Teachers’ Association of Preble county.
While a resident of New Paris Professor Brown
was elected the mayor of the city, and most creditably filled
that office for one term. As a Democrat he has always
taken an active and prominent part in local politics, and was a
member of the election board of his township from the time he
became a voter until his removal to New Paris. In 1899 he
was elected clerk of the courts of Preble county, although he
made no canvass, for he was teaching at the time, and he is now
most capably and satisfactorily discharging the duties of that
office. Since 1894 he has been a member of Harmony Lodge,
No. 396, K. P., of New Paris, and has held all offices in the
subordinate lodge and been a representative to the grand lodge
of Ohio. He is one of the most prominent young men of the
county, a leader both in social and political circles.
Whether in public or private life, he is always a courteous,
genial gentleman, and well deserves the high regard in which he
is held.
Source: A Biographical History of
Preble County, Ohio - Illustrated - Published 1900 - Page 361 |
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NATHAN BROWN.
Nathan Brown was born in Abbeyville
district, South Carolina, in 1774, and married Mary
Sloan, who died in 1813, aged thirty-six years, an infant
son being buried with her. The remaining children were
Grizzella, Catherine, James, Margaret
and Elizabeth, all of whom came with their father to Ohio
the same year and located on a part of section 23, Israel
township, Preble county. The father married the second
time Janet Brown, who though of the same name was
not a relative. Of this union were born two sons and one
daughter—Joseph, John and Nancy.
Joseph married Jane Buck, who died leaving four
daughters. He married, the second time, Eliza
Cunningham, to whom were born three daughters. He died
in 1897. John never married, owned the old
homestead during his life and died a few months before his
brother, in the same year. Nancy, with her husband,
Samuel Bell, crossed the plains to Oregon in 1852,
and died just before reaching her new home. One son had
been buried in Ohio and two daughters were left motherless.
Of the family of Nathan and Mary Brown, Grizzella
married John Buck; Mary married Hugh
Leslie; Margaret became the wife of Archy McDill;
and Catherine and Elizabeth remained unmarried.
The father died in 1849, in the home of his daughter in Dixon
township. The son, James, was about eleven years of
age when he came to Preble county from Abbeyville, South
Carolina, where he was born Nov. 20, 1802. He and Elizabeth
Scott, of Butler county, Ohio, were married Jan. 16,
1828, and their golden wedding was celebrated Jan. 16, 1878.
She was born Mar. 20, 1806, and died July 7, 1885.
James and his wife settled on a farm near
the old home, where they lived until 1875, when they left the
farm and moved to the village of Morning Sun. To these
parents were given twelve children. William Sloan,
the eldest, was born Mar. 11, 1829, and left home when a young
man, going to Oregon, and from there southward to California,
Panama and on to South America. He never returned home, as
he died in Arequipa, Peru, Nov. 8, 1885. James
Scott, the second child, is represented on another page of
this work. Mary Rebecca, born Nov/ 7, 1832,
married David Faris, who died, and the second time
she was united in marriage to J. H. McQuown, and died
Feb. 7, 1889, leaving one son, Scott B. McQuown.
Margaret J., born Jan. 9, 1834, died October 3, same year.
Nathan Richey, born Oct. 7, 1835, enlisted at the
begining of the civil war and served his country until he
died in the hospital at Memphis, Tennessee; is buried in the
Hopewell cemetery, near Morning Sun. N. Maria was
born July 1, 1838. The seventh child, a son, died in
infancy. Robert J., whose name appears elsewhere,
resides on the old home farm. Elizabeth C., born Nov. 1,
1845, died Aug. 17, 1850. Twin children, a son and a
daughter, died in infancy. CLARA J.,
the youngest, was born Oct. 7, 1852, graduated at Oxford
Female College, in the class of 1871. She and her cousin,
N. Elizabeth Bell, reside in the village of Morning Sun.
The sixth child of James and
Elizabeth Brown, N. Maria, was married October 16,
1860, to Rev. J. B. Foster. Mr. Foster was
born in Indiana, July 6, 1837, graduated at Miami University,
Oxford, Ohio, in the class of 1858, finished his theological
course in the United Presbyterian Seminary, at Monmouth,
Illinois, united with the Presbyterian church in 1867 and died
at Due West, South Carolina, Feb. 27, 1873. Four sons were
born to them—Harry Y., Frank B., William H. and Leslie
M; Frank and William graduated at Bloomington
(Indiana) University, and both studied theology in Allegheny
(United Presbyterian) Seminary. The latter died July 24,
1890. Frank B. is at the present date (1900) the
pastor of the First United Presbyterian church at Omaha,
Nebraska.
James and Elizabeth Brown left to their family
an honorable record and that good name which is rather to be
chosen than great riches. They also gave to their children
considerable property, which had been acquired through their
well directed efforts. They reared a family who do credit
to their name and no family in the entire community is more
respected than that of the Browns. Through many
years the representatives of the name have been actively
connected with agricultural interests and with the progress and
upbuilding of the county along many lines and their work has
been of great public benefit.
Source: A Biographical History of Preble
County, Ohio - Illustrated - Published 1900 - Page 401 |
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OLIVER P. BROWN.
Oliver P. Brown, of Camden, is the present secretary of the
Building & Loan Association of that place and one of the most
prominent citizens of Preble county, holding an enviable place
in business, political, social and fraternal circles. He
was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, near the city of Dayton, on
the 29th of April, 1842. His father, Jason M. Brown,
was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, on the 14th of January,
1792, and was a miller by trade, following that pursuit in
Pennsylvania and at Pennington, New Jersey. While at the
latter place he was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Conrad,
a native of New Jersey. Both Mr. and Mrs. Brown
wore descended from old American families that were founded in
the new world in colonial days. Their marriage occurred
about 1829, the bride being then eighteen years of age.
She was Mr. Brown’s second wife. They had ten
children—five sons and five daughters— eight of whom reached
years of maturity, while two died in infancy. Seven of the
number are now living and all are married. In 1850
Jason M. Brown came to Camden, Preble county, Ohio, and in
1864 removed to Franklin, Warren county, this state, where he
died in his ninety-third year, retaining his mental faculties
unimpaired until the last. His widow is still living and
is a well preserved old lady of eighty-nine years.
Oliver P. Brown, whose name introduces this
review, pursued his education in the common schools and in early
life learned the trade of house and carriage painting, which
business he carried on in Camden with excellent success until
failing health caused his retirement in 1878. He employed
from two to eight men, according to the season, and did a large
and profitable business. At the time of the civil war,
however, he put aside all personal considerations in order to
aid in the preservation of the government, enlisting at
Richmond, Indiana, on the 1st of September, 1861, and becoming a
member of Company F, Thirty-sixth Indiana Infantry. He was
discharged with the rank of sergeant on the 22d of September,
1864, having for three years faithfully followed the old flag
upon southern battle fields and fought for the cause it
represented. Upon his return to Camden he resumed work at
his trade and was thus actively connected with the industrial
interests of the city until 1878. Since 1883 he has been
the secretary of the Building & Loan Association, which was
organized in 1882, and has capably conducted its affairs.
He was also one of the originators of the Electric Light Company
and is now its president. He is likewise serving as a
notary public, and thus his time is largely occupied with
various duties which he faithfully discharges.
On the 25th of February, 1868, in Camden, Mr.
Brown was united in marriage to Miss Lide
Robinson, a daughter of John and Ann (Young ) Robinson,
both of whom are now deceased. They had one son, Carlos
L., who was born in 1869 and died of consumption in 1894.
He was a young man of marked ability and strong mentality, and
at the age of sixteen was graduated in the high school of
Camden. He passed an excellent examination and received a
first class teacher’s certificate; but, preferring commercial to
professional life, he became his father’s bookkeeper and
assistant postmaster during the five years in which Mr. Brown
filled the office. The latter resigned the position
owing to his son’s failing health, as he wished him to be free
from the confinement of office life. However, consumption
had undermined his constitution and he passed away at the age of
twenty-five years, mourned by a large circle of warm friends.
The esteem in which he was held throughout the community was
shown by the fact that all business houses were closed during
the time of the funeral services. Mr. and Mrs.
Brown occupy a very pleasant home on Lafayette street,
which he erected in 1890. It stands upon the site of the
old Robinson homestead, where Mrs. Brown
was born and reared and where her parents resided for many
years. Her father died there in middle life, leaving a
widow with five sons and two daughters, of whom three are yet
living, namely: Mrs. Mary E. Thurston, a widow living in
Camden; James Harvey Robinson, also of this city, and
Mrs. Brown.
A very prominent and valued member of several social
organizations, Mr. Brown has been connected with the Odd
Fellows society since 1865. He has passed all of the
chairs in the local lodge and is the captain of Nonpareil
Patriarchs Militant. He also belongs to the Knights of
Pythias fraternity and has served for several years as the
commander of Reese-Mitchell Post, No. 361, G. A. R. In
politics he is a stalwart Republican, and has long been
recognized as one of the leaders in the party. He gives
close and earnest study to the issues of the day and, therefore,
by intelligent argument supports the principles in which he
believes. For four terms he served as mayor of Camden, and
his administration was indeed progressive and beneficial.
No other incumbent has ever received more uniform commendation
from the public, and many reforms and improvements which he
inaugurated time has shown to be of incalculable benefit.
For twelve years he served as justice of the peace, and his
decisions were marked with the utmost impartiality. He
resigned that position, however, in 1889, when he was appointed
postmaster of Camden, in which office he served for five years.
He was also clerk of the township for several years, resigning
that position to become postmaster. He is now serving a third
term. as a member of the city council, and in all these
positions he has discharged his duties with the promptness and
fidelity that have awakened the warm indorsement of the majority
of the citizens. Both Mr. and Mrs. Brown are
consistent members and active workers in the Universalist
church, in which he has served as trustee, while his wife
occupies the position of church clerk. In all his business
affairs he is very systematic and methodical, and every duty
devolving upon him, either in public or private life, is
discharged with strict regard for the ethical relations of man.
Surrounded at his home by those who are his warm personal
friends, and favorably known by hosts of men who for a third of
a century have transacted business with him, his career is one
to which his family and friends may refer with just pride.
He stands to-day in his mature years a strong man, strong in the
consciousness of a well spent life, strong to plan and perform,
strong in his credit and good name, and a worthy example for
young men to pattern after, as showing what intelligence and
probity may accomplish in the way of success in life.
Source: A Biographical History of
Preble County, Ohio - Illustrated - Published 1900 - Page 388 |
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ROBERT J. BROWN.
Robert J. Brown makes his home on the farm
where his birth occurred, near Morning Sun, and is a
representative of one of the old families of the community.
He pursued his elementary education in the village and afterward
enjoyed superior advantages in the Miami University, at Oxford,
Ohio, at which institution he was graduated in 1862.
Throughout the period of his youth he remained at home, and on
the 13th of May, 1864, prompted by a spirit of patriotism, he
voluntered for four months’ service in Company A, One
Hundred and fifty-sixth Ohio Infantry, in which he held the rank
of corporal. He took part in the skirmish at Cumberland,
Maryland, but was mostly engaged on guard duty. He is now
engaged in agricultural pursuits on the old home farm, which
comprises one hundred and sixty-three acres. The property
has always been in possession of the family since the original
parchment deed was conveyed by the government to the purchaser.
It bears date Dec. 30, 1811, and is signed by James Madison,
then the President of the United States, and by James
Monroe, secretary of state. Mr. Brown
and his family have moved but once and that was when they left
the old house in which the parents began their domestic life
after their marriage. They took up their abode in their
new residence in 1891, which is situated on the farm. The
old home is now occupied by tenants and is kept in good
condition. Mr. Brown follows mixed farming,
as did his father, who at one time was the owner of eight good
farms, four in Indiana, two in Iowa and two in Ohio. These
he sold, however, some years prior to his death.
On the 20th of October, 1875, Mr. Brown
was united in marriage to Miss Vinolia A. Shaw, a
daughter of Robert and Marietta (Robertson) Shaw.
The father was born in Pennsylvania, in 1830, and in September,
1862, during the civil war, enlisted, becoming a private in the
ranks of the Thirtieth Regiment of Iowa Volunteers. He
died Aug. 9, 1862, of typhoid fever, which he contracted in the
rifle pits before Vicksburg, and his remains were interred
there. After the death of her first husband Mrs.
Shaw was again married, becoming the wife of Nathan Sloan,
who died in 1882, since which time she has resided with her
daughter, Mrs. Brown. Our subject and his
wife lost one daughter, Helen, who died at the age of
five months. Their only living child is Ethel E.,
who is now a student in Monmouth College, of Monmouth, Illinois.
Mr. Brown is a Republican in his political
affiliations and he and his family are members of the United
Presbyterian church.
Source: A Biographical History of
Preble County, Ohio - Illustrated - Published 1900 - Page 527 |
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CHARLES FARRAR BROWNE,
better known as “ Artemus Ward,” was born Apr. 26,
1834, in the village of Waterford, Maine. He was thirteen
years old at the time of his father’s death, and about a year
later he was apprenticed to John M. Rix, who published
the “Coos County Democrat” at Lancaster, New Hampshire.
Mr. Browne remained with him one year, when, hearing
that his brother Cyrus was starting a paper at Norway,
Maine, he left Mr. Rix and determined to get work
on the new paper. He worked for his brother until the
failure of the newspaper, and then went to Augusta, Maine, where
he remained a few weeks and then removed to Skowhegan, and
secured a position on the “Clarion.” But either the
climate or the work was not satisfactory to him, for one night
he silently left the town and astonished his good mother by
appearing unexpectedly at home. Mr. Browne
then received some letters of recommendation to Messrs.
Snow and Wilder, of Boston, at whose office Mrs.
Partington’s (B. P. Shillaber) ‘‘Carpet Bag ” was
printed, and he was engaged and remained there for three years.
He then traveled westward in search of employment and got as far
as Tiffin, Ohio, where he found employment in the office of the
“Advertiser,” and remained there some months when he proceeded
to Toledo, Ohio, where he became one of the staff of the
“Commercial,” which position he held until 1857. Mr.
Browne next went to Cleveland, Ohio, and became the local
editor of the “Plain Dealer,” and it was in the columns of this
paper that he published his first articles and signed them “Artemus
Ward.” In 1860 he went to New York and became the
editor of “Vanity Fair,” but the idea of lecturing here seized
him, and he was fully determined to make the trial. Mr.
Browne brought out his lecture, “Babes in the Woods” at
Clinton Hall, Dec. 23, 1861, and in 1862 he published his first
book entitled, “Artemus Ward; His Book.” He attained great
fame as a lecturer and his lectures were not confined to
America, for he went to England in 1866, and became exceedingly
popular, both as a lecturer and a contributor to “Punch.”
Mr. Browne lectured for the last time Jan. 23,
1867. He died in Southampton, England, Mar. 6, 1867.
Source: A Biographical History of Preble County,
Ohio - Illustrated - Published 1900 - Page 91 |
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