Ernest C Brown M D

BROWN

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 5/4/2010 at 09:05:42

Dr Ernest C Brown has successfully followed the profession of medicine and surgery in Madrid for more than two decades and has built up a practice which is one of the most extensive in central Iowa. His birth occurred at Verona, Oneida county, New York on August 24, 1867, his parents being Calvin and Mary Jane (Morton) Brown. The father was one of those highly respectable farmers who , while their holdings are not large, take a very high rank in community life by reason of thrift, probity, and general sterling qualities. He owned small farm near Verona, New York on which he lived for early a half century, rearing d educating his large family. At the time of his death in September 1896, he was one of Oneida county’s oldest residents, and his portrait and sketch of life appear in the Oneida county history, published that year. From the standpoint of ability, he was prepared by nature for a broader field of action. He gave considerable attention to fruit growing, gaining a state wide reputation for the excellent varieties of pears, apples and grapes which he produced. He figured prominently in the agricultural and horticultural societies of both county and state. Subsequently he became identified with the dairy business and won gratifying success in that connection at one time owning wheat was called the Banner Dairy.
His wife the mother of the Doctor as a daughter of Samuel Morton of Rome, New York a descendant of the Morton’s who figured so prominently in the history of New England and in the line of descent from Sir George Morton, who fitted out the Mayflower for its famous voyage but who through the intrigue of the British was arrested and not allowed to sail with the expedition he has formed. The Morton’s however, came to Massachusetts in the following years in the “Speedwell.” The Brown’s were also from the best old New England stock, coming form Connecticut to New York in 1796 and locating on a farm near Roe, N Y., which has ever since remained in the family. The ancestry of Dr Brown in the maternal line and on the side of his grandmother Brown, who was a Talcott, can be traced well back into the early English history -the Morton’s to William the Conqueror the Talcott’s to the Earl of Warwick. The paternal grandfather of our subject held the rank of captain in the War of 1812, while his great grandfather in the maternal line was with Ethan Allen in his Revolutionary exploits.
Ernest C Brown acquired his earlier education in the common schools of his native county and subsequently attended the Rome Free Academy for two winters, working on his father’s farm during the summer months. When twenty-one years of age he left he old homestead and entered the Fort Edward Collegiate Institute at Fort Edward, New York, pursuing a classical course in that institution. In the fall of 1890 he too up the study of medicine in the University of Michigan Homeopathic Medical College at An Arbor, being graduated with the degree of M D in June 1893. In the following August he cam to Iowa and at once began the practice of his profession, being associated for a few months with Dr Martin, the leading homeopathist of Boone. In October 1893, he opened an office in Madrid, where he has remained continuously sine and has met with exceptional success, now enjoying a practice which is one of the most extensive in central Iowa. In the spring of 1898 he pursued post graduate work in the special line of his profession. He is a member of the American Institute of Homeopathy and the Hahnemann Medical Association of Iowa. And acts as examining physician for several life insurance companies. Prosperity has come to him in merited and gratifying degree and he owns an attractive and well appointed home in Madrid.
On June 20, 1900, at Madrid, Iowa, Dr Brown was united in marriage to Miss Florence Mason, who was born in Kendall county, Illinois, on February 12, 1879, her parents being George and Sarah Ann (Kennison) Mason, the former born in LaSalle county, Illinois, February 19, 1839 and the latter in Vermont July 17, 1843. IN 1884 the parents established their home in Washington, Iowa and also had special training in elocution and oratory at Drake University of Des Moines. Her parents still survive, residing in a commodious and attractive hoe at Madrid. Unto them were born the following children: Mrs J H Mayer, who is a resident of Garden township, E G Mason of Washington, Iowa, L E Mason of Slater, Delbert who is deceased and Mrs Florence Brown. All were born in Illinois in which state the Mason family resided for about twenty-eight years. Dr and Mrs Brown have four children, namely: Victoria Grace who was born April 12, 1901, Gertrude Bernice, whose birth occurred June 1, 1903, Albert Mason whose natal day was January 27, 1905 and Kenneth Ross, born October 6, 1907. All are natives of Madrid and are now attending the public schools of that city.
Dr Brown first exercised his right of franchise in support of Grover Cleveland and David B Hill in the memorable New York contest of 1888, traveling over one hundred and fifty miles to cast his ballot. He has always remained a loyal adherent of the democracy and on two different occasions was the candidate of his party for the office of county coroner. His religious faith is indicated by his membership with the Methodist Episcopal church of Madrid, to which his wife also belongs. She being active an prominent in the musical and auxiliary societies of that church. Loyal in friendship, devoted to the ties of home and family and maintaining a high standard of conduct in all the relations of life, Dr Brow is well worthy the esteem in which he is uniformly held. He is generous in his support of every noble and good cause.

1914 Boone County History Book