WILLIAM H. BROWN

BROWN, BROCKMANN, BARTELS, ROHNER

Posted By: Norma Nielson (email)
Date: 5/16/2004 at 16:31:33

"William H. Brown, who passed away on the 7th of April, 1914, was for a number of years actively and successfully identified with agricultural pursuits in Adair county, owning an excellent farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 9, Summerset township, which is now the possession of his widow. His birth occurred in Wisconsin on the 15th of October, 1860, his parents being Mr. and Mrs. John Brown, both of whom were natives of Germany. They crossed the Atlantic to America in an early day, settling in Wisconsin, in which state they continued to reside until called to their final rest. To them were born six children, five of whom survive.

William H. Brown was reared and educated in the state of his nativity but on attaining his majority removed to Crawford county, Iowa. This was in 1881. Two years later he removed to South Dakota, making his home in that state for eleven years. On the expiration of that period, however, he came to Adair county, Iowa, purchasing a farm which is now in the possession of his widow and which he operated during the remainder of his life. The place comprises one hundred and sixty acres of rich and productive land on section 9, Summerset township, I the cultivation of which he won a gratifying and well merited measure of success.

In 1884, in Carroll county, Iowa, Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Anna Brockmann, a native of Germany and a daughter of John and Maria (Bartels) Brockmann, who were likewise born in that country. They emigrated to the new world in 1874, when their daughter Anna was nine years of age, first taking up their abode in Scott county, Iowa. A year later, however, they removed to Carroll county, Iowa, there settling on a farm on which they spent the remainder of their lives. Their family numbered seven children, six of whom are yet living. To Mr. and Mrs. Brown were born five children, namely: Dora M., who is the wife of Henry Rohner; William G., who operates the old home farm; Emma A., Otto W. and Clara W., all at home.

Mr. Brown died on the 7th of April, 1914, and his remains were interred in the Fontanelle cemetery. In his passing the community sustained the loss of a substantial agriculturist and highly esteemed citizen. His life as ever in accord with the teachings of the German Lutheran church, to which his widow also belongs. Mrs. Brown has become widely and favorably knows throughout the community during the period of her residence here, the circle of her friends being almost coextensive with the circle of her acquaintances."

Source: The "History of Adair County Iowa and its People," Volume II. (Chicago, The Pioneer Publishing Company) 1915.