BROWN, G. W. - M.D. - Putnam

LABORS OF A PIONEER DOCTOR HAVE ENDED

Dr. G. W. Brown Passed Away This Morning at His Home in City -PRACTICED HERE OVER FIFTY YEARS - Was One of the Five Men Who Originated the Wilder Monument Which Stands on Chickamauga Battlefield - Was Prominent Member of G. A. R. and Oldest Member of Clinton County Medical Society.

A pioneer physician of the county and state and the last living link in the county between the physicians of the old school and those of the present day was removed forever from the scene of action when Dr. George W. Brown, a practitioner in Clinton county for the past 54 years, died at his home, 206 West Washington street, a few minutes after 2 o'clock this morning, following an illness which confined him to his bed for the past nine months. His death did not come as a surprise to the immediate members of his family or his close and intimate friends, for the end had been expected for the past week. But to the countless friends and acquaintances who reside in every part of the county, the death message will come as a distinct and severe shock for he was probably better known than any one man and his passing will be mourned by all who knew him.

Dr. Brown, or Capt. Brown, as he was probably better known to the younger generation of inhabitants, was a physician of the old school and for more than half a century he maintained an office in the same building wherein he first started his practice as a young physician, immediately following the close of the Civil War. He saw the practice of medicine and surgery grow and expand until it reached the high plane which it now occupies. Not only will the memory of Dr. Brown linger as a venerable physician, but on the historic battle fields of Chickamauga, Georgia, stands a monument to a famous warrior, General John T. Wilder, which was partially conceived in thought in the mind of Dr. Brown and to him and four other veterans of that great conflict, the entire country has paid homage as being indebted to that small group of sterling veterans as the originators of the Wilder monument. Only two of that group of five, three of whom were Clinton county men, now survive. These two are R. C. Clark of this city, and W. P. Herron of Crawfordsville, Gen. A. A. Miller and R. M. Sims having preceeded Dr. Brown in death many years ago. All men were members of the famous Wilder Brigade.

Life of the deceased was filled to its fullest capacity with thoughts of others and aiding the sick and distressed and though out his years and years of practice he never failed to respond to the call of the sick and needy. During his long and useful career he laid by sufficient store of worldly goods but had he extracted a fee for the countless trips he made over the country, on horse back, ministering to the sick, where none was forthcoming, he would have been classed as a whealthy man.

George W. Brown was the son of Jeffrey and Mary (Irwin) Brown and was born on a farm in Warren county, Ohio, August 3, 1843, he being more than 77 years of age at the time of his death. In the spring of 1851 his father moved his family to Clinton county and settled on a farm in the northern part of the county. Deceased attended school in the vicinity of Rossville, near his home, until he had reached the ago of 16, when he began the study of medicine. Not willing to be entirely dependent on his father, in order to obtain means to pursue his professional studies he taught school during the winter of 1861 - 62. But by that time his country was calling on her sons to rally to the defense of the flag and he felt that he could not be unmindful of her needs. On July 23, 1862, he enrolled his name as a private in Co. K, 72nd Indiana regiment. In November, 1863 he was detailed to return to his home in this city and recruit and so successful was he in his work, that he secured forty0six men, filling the company to its maximum number. January 23, 1864, while absent on this duty, he was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant. He reported for duty on April 20, 1864, at Columbus, Tenn., rejoining his regiment just before the commencement of the Atlanta campaign and assumed command of his company, the captain being absent sick. On July 1, 1864, he was advanced to the rank of captain and was in command of the company from the time he returned to it at Columbus until the final muster out.

Though but slightly past his majority when he became a commanding officer of Co. K, Captain Brown was a prudent, careful officer, always ready for duty and prompt to perform it. As a student of medicine his skill proved very valuable to his men and many a boy of Co., K escaped a spell of sickness through the careful oversight of his company commander. That he was popular with the men of the company, was evidenced by the fact that when the regiment arrived at Edgefield, Tenn., on the way home, following the close of the war, the company had 101 men on its roll and found 12 recruits in camp, waiting to join it.

Within a few months after Captain Brown returned home he was married to Miss Laura Gentry, of this city, the wedding being solomized on September 20, 1865. On the first day of October following his wedding, he entered Rush Medical College at Chicago, to finish his uncompleted medical training and was graduated from that institution on January 24, 1866. Returning to this city he and his bride began housekeeping in a modest home which occupied the site of the residence in which he died. On February 12th, of the same year, he put up his professional sign, displaying to the world that he was a physician and surgeon and at the same location practiced his profession until nine months ago when his rapidly failing health caused him to relinquish his extensive practice and retire. About a year and one half ago he underwent an operation in an Indianapolis hospital in the hopes that his health would be benefited, but the relief gained at that time was only temporary and the end rapidly drew near. His vigorous vitality enabled him to apparently gain in strength on several occasions until he was attacked by a violent hiccoughing spell last Sunday which, when abated left him in such a weakened condition that the end came this morning.

In June, 1889, Mr. Brown was appointed on the pension examining board of Clinton county and was chosen as the secretary and served until September, 1893. In June, 1897 he was again appointed and served for several years.

Since early in his young manhood he had been a devout member of the Presbyterian faith. He was also the oldest member of the Clinton County Medical society, the Grand Army of the Republic and a York Rite Mason. It is thought that he was the oldest member of Frankfort lodge, No. 54, F. & A.M. in the county.

Dr. Brown was a genial, kindhearted gentleman, an estimable citizen and a man who was highly respected by all who knew him. He was generous to a fault and in the practice of his profession had been to hundreds of sufferers the kind and considerate friend and counselor as well as the patient, skillful medical attendant. As a member of the G. A. R. he always took an active part in the affairs of the organization and to his old comrades he always had an open heart and a cordial greeting, and it was the delight of all the veterans to take him by the hand and look into his pleasant, smiling countenance.

The companion of the deceased thru his wedded life preceeded him in death just fifteen months to the day, she having died on September 16, 1919. An only daughter, Mrs. John P. Ross, died a number of years ago. The only son, Walter Brown, formerly of Ft. Smith, Ark., was the bedside of his parent when the end came. He is also survived by one sister, Mrs. Josephine Purnell, of Buck Creek and two brothers, F. M. Brown, of Rossville, and W. W. C. Brown, of Lafayette.

Funeral services will be conducted from the residence Sunday afternoon at l:30 o'clock. Rev. H. (last name unreadable) and Q. A. Kennedy will officiate and interment will be in Green Lawn Cemetery.

PAGE 1 article next to obituary of Dr. G. W. Brown -Comrades Once More - A remarkable coincidence was disclosed at noon today in connection with the death in this city of Dr. G. W. Brown, when Mrs. William Fenstemacher received a message telling of the death in Waynetown at 1 o'clock this morning of 'Uncle' John Shur, a veteran of the Civil War and one of the best known men in Montgomery county. Mr. Shur and Dr. Brown were in the same regiment throughout the war and were warm personal friends. When both men received their army discharges, they returned to Indiana together and parted in Indianapolis, Mr. Brown coming to Frankfort, and Mr. Shur going to Waynetown. Throughout the years of their lives they kept the friendship warm between them and each had visited the other on several different occasions, and both answered the final great roll call together.