Brown, George Washington 1844-1922

BROWN, MORSE, VEST, ALLEN, KIMBALL

Posted By: Geo Clinton (email)
Date: 4/2/2016 at 20:14:08

November 16, 1922 - Storm Lake Register - George W Brown, one of the pioneer residents and business men of Storm Lake, and prominent and well known throughout the community for many years, died suddenly at his home in Hardin, Montana, last Thursday evening, November 9 at about 6 o'clock and his death was learned with deep sorrow by hosts of friends in this city.

Mr Brown had spent the summer at the home of his daughter, Mrs Albert Morse, in this city and returned home only a few weeks ago, being in his usual health. While his daughter, Miss Nellie left the house for a few moments last Thursday evening, he was suddenly stricken with heart failure and on her return found that he had fallen to the floor. A physician was immediately summoned and it was found that he had died almost instantly.

George Washington Brown, oldest son of Orin Washington Brown, was born in Holland, Mass, August 29, 1844. His father was a farmer and he remained on the farm with his father until his majority when he secured a position with a dry good merchant at Springfield, Mass and remained there for time, and when an uncle importuned him to come west and join him in the dry goods business, he left his employer and went to Hamilton, Mass. where he remained with his uncle for some time and becoming dissatisfied, he left there heading for the new country being opened in northwest Iowa.

In 1873 he located in Storm Lake bringing with him a small stock of staple goods. Taking agricultural products from the farmer in exchange for dry goods and groceries and in turn he supplied the immigrants that were rushing into or through the new country with feed and other necessities of life.

In the year 1874 his brothers, Freeman and Orin Brown, joined him and entered into a partnership and soon they built a small two story building on the ground now occupied by Ralph Stock. As the country developed their business increased and with it the profit, until their business outgrew the small building and it became the well known Brown Bros. General Merchandise Store, occupying the large two story brick building where Skeel's meat market is now located.

Mr Brown was always actively interested in the welfare of the community, serving as a member of the school board when the first brick school house was built. He was very much interested in the lake and built a number of boats which he had on the lake and spent considerable time there.

In the year 1878 he was married to Ida Willamette Vest and to this union were born two children. Stella J, now Mrs Albert Morse of Storm Lake and Nellie V Brown of Hardin, Montana. Mrs Brown died in 1900 at Storm Lake.

After conducting the general merchandise business for many years the burden became too great and he closed out the business and went to Hardin, Montana, where he invested in some irrigated land and with his daughter, Nettie moved to that place where he remained until the time of his death. He remained in remarkable vigor until about 2 years ago when age began to make inroads on his strength, but still he was ambitions and was never ready to give up.

Last spring Mr Brown came to Storm Lake to spend the summer with his daughter, Mrs Stella J Morse. Leaving Storm Lake the latter part of September for his home in Hardin, Montana, he met a brother, Francis J Brown, in Lincoln, Neb. where they spent a day together after which he continued this journey home.

The deceased leaves to mourn his departure besides the two daughters; two brothers and two sisters: Francis J Brown of Holden, MO; E.H. Brown of Monson, MA; Etta O. Allen of Monson, MA; and Mrs (Celinda) Wm E Kimball of Sauquoit, NY. He also leaves one grand daughter, Williamette Morse of Storm Lake.

The remains were brought to Storm Lake, arriving here Sunday morning, accompanied by the daughter, Miss Nellie and funeral services were held from the Morse home at 409 Ontario street Monday afternoon conducted by Rev Herbert Clegg, pastor of the Methodist church, and interment was made in the local cemetery beside the wife who had preceded him.

Among the relatives from out-of-town in attendance at the funeral were Mrs S.E. Stanfield of Rockwell City and Dr and Mrs Alden Tramain of Lake City. The relatives of Mr Brown were unable to come on account of distance and owing to their advanced years.