BROWN-William - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

William BROWN. Among the honored pioneers of Fountain County who are still living amid the scenes of their early labors are the venerable William Brown and his wife, who have a beautiful home on Sec. 2, Shawnee Twp and it gives us pleasure to represent them in this volume. William Brown was born in Cumberland County, PA Aug 12, 1814. His father was the Rev. John Brown, also a native of PA and of German antecedents. He was educated for the ministry and preached a number of years. In 1816 he removed to Harrison Co OH whence he came to this state with his family and soon after died in Bartholomew County where he had settled. The family then went to Floyd County and subsequently to Tippecanoe County. Our subject was but 8 when his father died. He grew to a stalwart, active manhood in this state and 7 years after the family settled in Tippecanoe he took unto himself a wife in the person of Miss Mary Baker (sic - should be Beeker) to whom he was married Nov 14, 1839, Rev. James Griffiths performing the ceremony that united them in a true marriage, whose golden anniversary marking a happy wedded life of half a century was celebrated by their many friends with great rejoicing in1889. Mrs. Brown was born in Washington County this state August 9, 1819 and when 8 her parents removed to Tippecanoe County and settled near the Indian battleground made famous by Gen. Harrison's victorious encounter with the Indians on that spot. The redmen were numerous in that vicinity when the Bakers established themselves among the pioneers of the county. They were the parents of 10 children, 4 sons and six daughters, all of whom are living but two sons, the eldest member of the family being an aged sister a resident of Kansas who is past 95. To our subject and wife have been born the following: Louisa, wife of Smith Coffeny (sic - should be Coffing), a farmer of Shawnee Township; Minerva wife of Daniel Young, a farmer near Attica; Jasper, deceased; Matilda, wife of a Mr. Coffeny (sic - should also be Coffing), a farmer in Shawnee Township; Samuel, deceased; Benjamin a farmer in this township; Beeker a farmer who makes his home with his parents and Mary, who is also at home. When a young man Mr. Brown learned the trade of a carpenter and with the money that he earned at that calling he bought a 1/4 section of land in Fulton County which he traded for 80 acres on Sec 2, Shawnee a part of his present farm. Immediately after marriage he and his bride and 5 other couples came here on horseback to establish their homes on Dopp's prairie, where they ever since lived. Our subject was well fitted for the pioneer life that lay behind him as he was energetic, keen, resolute and able-bodies and was well endowed with that business acumen and tenacity of purpose that lead to success in any walk of life. He was more than ordinarily prospered, accumulating a handsome fortune that placed him among the wealthy men of the county while he was yet in the prime of life. He made all this himself with the exception of $900 as he was comparatively poor when he began life for himself. He at one time owned 1360 acres of land in Illinois but he has sold some and given some to each of his children to start them out in life until he has reduced his real estate to 109 acres which is a fruitful source of income as well as the money that he has at interest. In the year 1882, Mr. Brown erected on the land he has reserved for his own use a large and fine-looking residence with all the modern conveniences, and within its walls he and his family enjoy the comforts of a pleasant and well-kept home. For the long period of 60 years our subject has been connected with the United Brethren Church as one of its most consistent and honored members who has been an important factor in its upbuilding and for a number of years filled the office of Steward. His estimable wife is also a faithful member of that church. Politically he stands with the Democrats.