BROWN-Cyrus - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

CYRUS BROWN, farmer, Attica. Simon Brown, father of this subject, and Nancy Reed to whom he was married in 1824, were reared in the same neighborhood in Cumberland, then Perry county Pennsylvania. The same year they moved to Ohio, and were four weeks on the road. In the autumn of the year 1827 he and his father, Peter Brown came to Fountain county, they entered land and made a little hay, and during their brief stay were entertained by John Lopp, whim they found living here. They returned and brought their families, arriving November 23, the journey having consumed two weeks. They passed some of the finest prairie in the world to settle in the dense woods where they might toil through tedious years to clear up a home. A space whereon to erect a cabin had first to be cleared, and while the work was going on they camped beside a large poplar log, which had been felled by the Indians. When finished for winter it was without floor, two forks were driven into the ground, a green pole laid from one to the other, on which were hung the pots and kettles while cooking was in progress. At this time there was neither church, nor mill, nor market, for the accommodation of the scattering settlers. Peter Brown settled near Chambersburg, and after a few years moved into Warren county, where he and his wife finally died. Simon Brown was always a hard-working man. He cleared off and improved a good deal of land and accumulated a large property. He first entered eighty acres, and increased his estate by subsequent additons until it comprised 1,000 acres. His widow is living on the old homestead with her son Cyrus, who was born here December 5 1845, and was the youngest of eight children. He was married November 26 1874 to Miss Isabelle Cook, who was born November 12 1856. They have one living child, Ella Gertrude, born October 22 1875, and have lost an older daughter. Mr. Brown is a trustee of the Union church called Brown's Chapel. He owns 165 acres of land, 85 of which are cleared, worth $8,500. He is a Greenbacker in politics.

Cyrus BROWN. The name of Brown has been a familiar one in Fountain County from the first years of its settlement in that Simon Brown, the father of the subject of the sketch, was one of its early pioneers, who was prominent in the development of its agricultural resources, and was for many years a valued citizen, who sought to promote the highest interests of his community, socially and religiously. Simon Brown was born in Adams County, PA in 1840, and was of German antecedents. He was married in his native county to Nancy Reed, whose father was a prominent miller of that section of the country. After marriage Mr. Brown and his bride established themselves in Ohio, near Cincinnati, in 1824. In November 1827, they came from that point to Indiana and Mr. Brown entered the land upon which his son, Cyrus lives, and made it his home until his death. He also purchased government land in Benton County. He settled in the wilderness, his homestaed being covered with primeval forest trees and deer, bears, wild turkeys and other game abounded, while the Indians still lingered in their old haunts. With characteristic energy Mr. Brown set about clearning his land, and in due time became one of the most prosperous of the pioneer farmers, accumulating a valuable property, and at the time of his death he had over 1000 acres of fine land. He was a man of strong, vigorous, keen intellect, and was very influential among his fellow citizens. He assisted in the management of public affairs as Trustee of the Twp, and he was well known as a Republican in politics. In early life he was a member of the united Brethren Church in this township. He was one of the founders, giving the land upon which it is built, and also land for a Cemetery. He afterward abandoned that faith, becoming more liberal in his religious views and he became on eof the leading members of the Progressive Friends Church, helping to build its house of worship, the Van Buren Church in which he preached until his death in 1874. His good wife, who shared with him the hardships and trials of pioneer life survives him at the venerable age of 92 making her home on the old homestead with her son. She was born Oct 12, 1800 in Adams County, PA and is one of the oldest settlers in the county. When she came here with her husband not a tere had been felled on the place, and their first habitation was a log shanty, in which they lived until they could replace it with a log house. She is still strong and active for one of her advanced years, as she has led a quiet, busy, healthful life, her intersets centering in the home which she helped her husband to upbuild, and from which she has never wanered far, never even taking a journey on the cars. The subject of this biographical review wasborn Dec 5, 1845 on the old home farm, Sec 2, Shawnee Twp, where he still lives. He is one of 8 children of whom 4 are living besides himself as follows: Susanna, widow of Jeremiah Brown, and a resident of Jasper County; Esau and Sarah, twins, the former a farmer of Shawnee Twp, and the latter the wife of William H. Marcus, a farmer of Benton County. Josiah died in infancy; Isaiah died at the age of 9 and Levina was 6 when she died. Our subject obtained his education in the district school and he was well trained in all that pertains to farming under his father's instruction. Since he began life on his own account he has devoted himself to agricultural pursuits, and 190 acres of the old farm has come into his possession. The land has an excellent natural drainage, is well fenced into convenient fields, which are under the best of cultivation, and a substantial and commodious set of buildings for every needed purpose add greatly to the value and appearance of the place. Mr. Brown is a general farmer, and aims to keep a good variety of stock, from which he derives a fruitful income. Mr. Brown is an intelligent, thoughtful man, of quick discernment, a clear judgment and high principles, and an honor to the citizenship of his native county. Politically, he is a strong Republican, and has mingled somewhat in public life as Supervisor of the Township. He is now an active member of the Progressive Friends' Church of which he is trustee. The marriage of our subject with Miss Isabella Crook was solemined 26 Nov 1874 and he brought his bride to his old home where they have lived ever since. Mrs. Brown was born Nov 12, 1857 a daughter of Bennett and Emily Crook. Her father is a prominent farmer of this township. The wedded life of Mr. and Mrs. Brown has been hallowed to them by the birth of 4 children, of whom these three are living: Ella Gertrude who is 15; Atchie (sic - Archie or Atcheson?) Earl, aged 9; and Charles Edwin 5 years of age. Nora Belle died at age 5 months.