Brown - Rylan T.
RYLAN THOMAS BROWN
![](images/brown-ryland.jpg)
Source:Zach, Karen Bazzani. Montgomery Medicine Men ... Crawfordsville, IN: Montgomery County Historical Society, 2002.
Quite a versatile man, Rylan T. Brown "made his mark in the realm of medicine," especially in the field of chemistry. In fact, President James A. Garfield appointed him as his Chief Chemist in the Agricultural Department. He was connected with the University in some capacity until 1871, being Professor of Chemistry in the Indiana Medical College the last two years he was with the University. Lewis County, Kentucky was created in 1807, the year (Oct 5th) Rylan Brown was born there; however, his parents moved the next year to Clermont County, Ohio where it is said Rylan was sent to the first free school organized West of the Allegheny Mountains. In 1821, they went to Rush County, Indiana where Rylan acted as guide for land seekers. Following the death of his father in 1825, Rylan "directed his mind to the study of diseases and remedies, and determined his profession for life." Much of Rylan's early medical knowledge he acquired on the farm. Out of the bones of an Indian exhumed near his father's farm he constructed an imperfect skeleton to aid him in the study of anatomy and physilogy. In 1826, he began the study of medicine at Rushville, Indiana, completing his work at the Ohio Medical College. In 1832, he began practicing at Connersville, relocating in Crawfordsville in June 1844, where he remained until going to the University. That's NOT where the talents and versatility of Rylan T. Brown stops, however. He was the author of a widely renowned textbook of physiology, and a Minister of the Campbellite Church, his appeals made to the understanding rather than feeling and sentiment. In January 1833, the Church of Christ was organized in Connersville by Dr. Brown, assisted by Elder O'Kane. Having been raised on his father's farm, one of his concerns was for conservation of our resources and he was also strongly against slavery. Although a Whig, when the Republican party was organized, he took an active part in spreading its ideals. He was vehemently opposed to intemperance. He and his wife, Mary Reeder had three sosn and three daughters: Theodore; George and Walter (who practiced medicine in Indianapolis); Mary VIrginia, wife of Fountain North Johnson; Caroline, wife of Robert K. Krout and Mrs. W.H. Whiley. He lived a quiet retirement, enjoying books and research. A few months shy of his 83rd birthday, he died in Indianapolis on May 2, 1890. Historian W.H. Bowen noted that: "Like Brutus, he was a plain, blunt man, yet he was kind and hospitable and sufficiently affable."
Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal, May 3, 1890
Dr. Ryland T. Brown was born in Mason county, Kentucky, Oct. 5, 1807, and died in Indianapolis May 2, 1890. With his parents he removed to Clermont county, Ohio in boyhood; and in the year 1821 his parents came to this state and located in Rush county. His youth and early boyhood were spent on his father's farm, and his elementary education was mainly acquired at the neighborhood school in charge of one of the famous old time Irish schoolmasters. After attaining his majority he commenced the study of medicine and graduated from the Ohio medical college about the year 1830. Dr. John Locke, John A. Godman and Daniel Drake were instructors at the school at the time, all of whom were men of prominence in their day in the departments of physical science and medicine. After graduation he established himself in the practice of his profession in Connersville in 1831, remaining there until 1843, when he removed to Wabash with his family, and afterwards to this city in June of 1844. He at once entered upon an extensive and lucrative practice in his profession which continued until 1858, when he was called to the Professorship of Chemistry in the N. W. C. University at Indianapolis, of which college he was one of the Trustees. While residing in our city he was appointed Professor of Chemistry in the Indiana Medical College at Lafayette, which school had been removed from LaPorte. The school was suspended for a time but subsequently reorganized and established at Indianapolis and is now one of the most flourishing and useful schools in the West. In 1871 he was again called to the Professorship of Chemistry and afterward filled the Chair of Physiology in the same institution. In 1854 he was appointed State Geologist by Governor Joseph A. Wright and has been connected with that survey at various times until recently. He was also the author of a text book on Physiology which at one time was extensively used in this and other States. In 1872 he was Chemist in Chief of the Department of Agriculture at Washington. In early life he was a Whig in politics, but became a conservative antislavery man, but was never identified with the Birney Abolition Party. While he regarded slavery as "the sum of all villainies" he was willing for the sake of peace and union that it should remain undisturbed until the moral sense of the Nation should prepare a way for it's gradual, total extinction. But to the extension of the "peculiar institution" into new and unoccupied territory he was most earnestly opposed. In 18[48] he was appointed a delegate to the Free Soil Convention held at Buffalo which placed in nomination Martin Van Buren and Charles Francis Adams. In 1854 when the Republican Party was organized he tookm a prominent place in its ranks and was active and earnest in his advocacy of its principles and in support of its candidate, Gen. Fremont. During his long life he was a sincere and efficient advocate of the cause of temperance, and devoted both his time and means to restrain and overthrow the evils of intemperance. In early manhood he boldly identied himself with the cause of Christianity and became a preacher of the Gospel; and in the many long years of his public ministration "he fought the good fight and kept the faith." As a preacher he was clear, forcible and practical; and his appeals were made to the understanding rather than to feeling and sentiment. He was a believer in practical Christianity and to the extent of his means his hand was ever open to the relief of the needy, and his professional services always at the command of the suffering poor. He leaves three sons and two daughters living, Theodore D. and George R. of this city, and Walter of Indianapolis, Mrs. F. N. Johnson of Waveland, and Mrs. W. H. Wiley of Terre Haute. Mrs. K. K. Krout, now deceased, was also a daughter. In his life and labors and character he has left a legacy to his children above all price. - typed by kbz
Source: Unknown
In the decades preceding and following the War of the States, and during that internecine strife, the state of Indiana produced a brilliant coterie of men who became prominent in national affairs, men of various walks and professions, of creeds and convictions, who succeeded in stamping the indelible impress of their personalities upon their generation. One of these was Ryland T. Brown, who made his mark in the ministry, in the realm of medicine and in the field of chemistry, attaining such proficiency and eminence in the latter that he was raised to the exalted position of chief chemist of the Agricultural Department of Washington, under President Garfield. He was a man of sterling attributes of head and heart, a profound scholar and unswerving patriot, and a man who eminently deserved his large success and honor, and biographical memoir of such a worthy character must needs enhance very greatly the value of a work of the province assigned to the one in hand. He was well known to many of the readers of the same, and was the father of Capt. George R. Brown, one of Crawfordsville's leading citizens.
Mr. Brown was born October 5, 1807, in Lewis county, Kentucky. His ancestors on both sides of the house, were originally from Wales. His parents were exemplary members of the Baptist church, his father being noted as a leader in the singing exercises of the congregation. Both the families from which he was descended were remarkable for their longevity. In the spring of 1809 his father removed to Ohio, and settled near New Richmond, in Clermont county, when that country was a wilderness. But there our subject enjoyed good educational advantages for those days. He was not a robust lad and his parents shielded him from the hard work of the farm, and did all in their power to give him a good education, and he made rapid progress. His teacher was not only an able Yankee scholar, but a zealous Baptist, who did not neglect the moral and religious straining of those under his charge, and his lessons sank deep into the heart and mind of young Brown; and this together with the counsel and example of his pious parents, determined the direction of the whole current of his subsequent life.
Early in 1821 his father removed to Indiana and settled in what is now the southeastern part of Rush county. But three years before, that country was ceded to the United States by the Delaware Indians and it was only in a few places that the trees had been removed from what had been their hunting grounds. Here the delicate young student was transferred from the confinement and exhaustive toil of the school room to the invigorating labors, hardships, and privations of a backwoods life. For the first few years after removing to Indiana, he was employed much of the time as guide to landhunters. In this employment he not only became an expert woodsman and a second Nimrod, or "mighty hunter," but here also he began to form the active habits, and to acquire the fondness for out-door pursuits, for which he was distinguished through subsequent life. The change of occupation also contributed greatly to his physical development. In the spring of 1822, being then in his fifteenth year, he made a profession of faith in Christ, was immersed and united with a Baptist congregation, known as the "Clifty church." He had no further opportunity of attending school, but devoured all the books he could find. He was of that type which did not need to be taught; all he asked was the means of learning. In the fall of 1825 his father died. It was this sad event that directed the mind of the son to the study of diseases and remedies, and determined his profession for life. In 1826 he became a Reformer, though formerly a loyal Baptist. For over three years he devoted his attention exclusively to the study of medicine. His knowledge of this subject, as well as others, was principally acquired without a master; and but few men who have attained to equal eminence in the profession have qualified themselves under greater difficulties. Out of the bones of an Indian exhumed near his father's farm he constructed an imperfect skeleton, to aid him in the study of anatomy and physiology. During the latter twenties he attended the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, from which he was graduated in the spring of 1829. Returning to Rush county in search of a location for the practice of his profession he found a stir among the churches, in which he took a prominent part, and he was selected as the first victim in the state to be sacrificed on the altar of sectarian bigotry. He was arraigned on the very general charge of "being a Campbellite," and, as such, was excluded from the church. In May, 1830 he joined the church then organized at Little Flat Rock, known as the Church of Christ, which was destined to become in a few years and remain for many years one of the largest and most influential in the state, and in it Dr. Brown did a great work.
Having in 1829 married Mary Reeder, he, in the summer of 1832, located at Connersville, Fayette county, there to establish himself in the practice of medicine. Here he had to compete with old and experienced physicians under many disadvantages, not the least of which was his religion. The Reformation of the nineteenth century as then and there known only in caricatures of a prejudiced pulpit, and to be simply a disciple of the Lord Jesus, without being identified with any orthodox sect, was looked upon as evidence of great ignorance or impiety, and was therefore a great reproach. But Dr. Brown was not the man to deny the faith for the sake of popularity or financial success. Both publicly and privately he proclaimed "all the words of this life," without regard to his own reputation or pecuniary interests. By close attention to business, and a manly advocacy of the truth, he was soon well respected in both his professions. The people favored him with a liberal patronage and, what was far more gratifying to him, they gladly received the word and were baptized. Shut out of the orthodox churches he made a sanctuary of the court-house, in which he soon held a revival meeting. In January, 1833, the Church of Christ was organized in Connersville, by Dr. Brown, assisted by Elder O'Kane. From this time until the year 1842, he preached extensively through the White Water country; and his name is identified with the early history of many churches in that region. By these labors and his arduous duties as a physician, his health was so impaired that he abandoned the practice of medicine, but continued his work in the church. At the state meeting held at Connersville, in June, 1842, he was one of four who were appointed to labor throughout the state in behalf of this church, but he was later forced to resign on account of failing health. In the spring of 1844 he located at Crawfordsville, Montgomery county, and resumed the practice of medicine in connection with preaching. For years past he had devoted his leisure hours to the improvement of his education - especially to the study of natural science; and his residence in Crawfordsville he made equivalent to a regular course in college. Wabash College being located at that place, he was admitted to a free use of its library, which was extensive, for those days, and also its philosophical apparatus. This golden opportunity he improved so well that in 1850, he received from that institution the honorary degree of Master of Arts, and it was justly merited.
In 1854 he acted as state geologist, by the appointment of Governor Wright, who differed in politics, and was therefore not influenced in the selection, by partisan considerations. In this capacity Dr. Brown traversed almost every nook and corner of the state, finding, "Books in the running brooks, Sermons in stones, and good in everything."
In 1858 he was elected to the chair of natural science in the Northwestern Christian University, now Butler College, at Indianapolis, to which place he removed in August of that year. There he continued to reside, distinguished as an instructor, and indefatigable as a preacher. Later he became chemist in the Indiana Medical College at that city. Although advanced in age, his work as a chemist was so superior to that of his contemporaries that he was selected as chief chemist of the Agricultural Department at Washington, D.C., under President James A. Garfield, in 1881, which responsible position he held in an eminently creditable and acceptable manner.
After his retirement from the active duties of life he lived quietly in his home in the capital of the Hoosier state, enjoying his books and individual research work, until four or five years later when he was summoned to his eternal rest in May, 1890, full of honors and of years, like a sheaf fully ripened. He had done a noble work and his career was an enviable one, fraught with great good to humanity. In all his labors, whether as physician, geologist, or professor, he almost invariably devoted the first day of the week to the ministry of the word. Having thus performed double duty, he was counted worthy of double honor. He was also among the first, and was ever among the most zealous, advocates of the Temperance Reform, not only in Indiana, but in other states of the Union. He traveled extensively as a public lecturer on that subject, and for years he stood at the head of the temperance organization in his state. He preached the whole of the apostle's doctrine - "roughteousness, temperance and judgment to come."
Though he was never a candidate for office he took an active part in politics. True to his convictions of right and duty he acted with the Free Soil party in the latter forties when it seemed to be a hopeless minority. He was stigmatized as an abolitionist even before that term assumed an application so general as to include almost every good and loyal citizen. Although he was firmly opposed to slavery he denied the right of the general government to abolish it in the states. For many years he exerted no inconsiderable influence through the medium of the press, many learned and entertaining articles appearing in the various journals of his day, on religious, educational, agricultural, medical and political subjects, all being very ably and skillfully handled, in all of these movements being somewhat ahead of his times. It is not extravagant to say that had he been properly educated and introduced to nature early in life, he might have rivaled Agassiz or Humbolt in the number and value of his scientific achievements. He was familiar with all branches of learning, and while his knowledge of books was profound and general it was said of him that he knew more of nature than of books. He was fully abreast of the times in political and other current questions. Nothing was so minute as to escape his attention. As a speaker he ranked above mediocrity, having a pleasant voice of great compass, which he employed in eloquence and earnestness. In society and in public, in the sick room and at home, he was like Brutus, "a plain, blunt man," yet he was kind and hospitable, and sufficiently affable. He possessed an indomitable will, and was noted for great decision of character. He was of that class of men who suffer - not only reproach, but martyrdom, if need be, for the religion or cherished principles. He was a man of remarkable active habits. And he found time to work his garden and tend his plants every year, delighting in out-door labor. He was often known to walk ten miles to preach or perform some needed service. He received much attention everywhere from the press and the people. A very eulogistic biography of him appears in a popular book of a half century ago, "Pioneer Preachers of Indiana," by Madison Evans, published in Philadelphia in 1862. He was described at that time, "The burden of his years is light upon him; and his present condition and appearance, the poet Cowper has well described in the following lines: "A sparkling eye beneath a wrinkled front The vet'ran shows, and, gracing a gray beard With youthful smiles, descends toward the grave Sprightly, and old almost without decay."
Source: Indiana American, Brookville, Franklin County, IN 19 Aug 1853 p 2
Temperance Meeting – Our friends had a fine meeting near Metamora last week. The crowd was large but the speakers few. Most of those who had promised came not. The dinner was good. Dr. RT Brown of Crawfordsville was there and entertained the audience with several interesting speeches. He is an excellent man – is sound in principle and practical in his remarks.
=====================================
#1 -- See also: https://scholarworks.iu.edu/journals/index.php/imh/article/view/6410/6541
#2 -- See also: http://journals.iupui.edu/index.php/ias/article/view/8058/8044
#3 -- See also (online books by him) -- http://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/webbin/book/lookupname?key=Brown%2c%20Ryland%20T.%20%28Ryland%20Thomas%29%2c%201807-1890
#4 -- See also: - refute to #1 above -- https://scholarworks.iu.edu/journals/index.php/imh/article/view/6427/6575