David M. Brown (1831-1917)

BROWN

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 3/24/2022 at 16:18:57

David Monroe Brown
(February 23, 1831 – March 27, 1917)

David M. Brown is living retired in Lohrville, but through many years has been associated with farming interests in Calhoun County and is yet the owner of his old home place in Union Township. From New England he came to the west, his birth having occurred in Addison County, Vermont, on the 23rd of February, 1831, his parents being Samuel and Louisa (Ayers) Brown, both of whom were also natives of the Green Mountain state. The father's birth occurred
on the 16th of August, 1794, while the mother was born December 28, 1805. He was a farmer by occupation and spent his entire life in Vermont. At the time of the second war with England he joined his country's troops and fought for the rights of this nation. Both he and his wife were almost ninety-one years of age when called to their final rest. In his political views he was a Republican and was a citizen who gave his earnest support to every movement and measure which he believed would affect the welfare of his town, state or nation. In his family were ten children, of whom four are yet living, namely : Mrs. Rena Byam, of Whiteside County, Illinois; David M., of this
review; Mrs. Alvira Ellsworth, of Lohrville; and Mrs. Roxanna Ferrin, of Missouri.
David M. Brown spent the first nineteen years of his life in the Green Mountain state and the schools of his locality afforded him his educational privileges. When quite young he began working at the mason's trade, and on leaving New England he first settled in Indiana, subsequently residing in
Illinois, where he was engaged at work at the mason's and blacksmith's trades. He also followed farming and the first land which he ever owned was in Indiana. In the year 1869 he arrived in Calhoun County, casting in his lot with the early settlers whose frontier experiences were new to him, but with courageous heart he set to work to make a home in this wild district. He purchased one hundred and twenty acres of raw prairie land, and as his financial resources have increased he has made other purchases until his farm now comprises three hundred and forty-four acres. His nearest neighbor
at the time of his arrival was a mile and a half away, and his nearest trading place was Jefferson. Deer and other lesser game were very plentiful and furnished many a meal for the early settlers. The huntsmen had ample opportunity to indulge his love of the chase. There were many hardships and
trials to be borne in reclaiming this region for man, but there were also many pleasures and privileges which are unknown at the present day and there was a free-hearted hospitality and helpfulness that made life well worth the living. When he came to the county there was not a house between his home and Manson, twenty miles to the north. Mr. Brown has resided in Union
township from the time of his arrival in the county until the present and is one of its honored and valued citizens. In 1892 he removed to the village of Lohrville, but superintends to some extent the operation of his land, although much of it is now rented. On the 4th of October, 1857, our subject was joined in wedlock to Miss Martha Hulett, a native of Indiana, and a daughter
of Thomas Hulett. Their marriage has been blessed with eight children, who are yet living: Leota, Orin, Minnie, Ella, Ida, Edward, Hattie and Delia, and they have also lost two, Orin and Lindsey. For one term Mr. Brown has served as county supervisor and also served a part of the term in that office on account of a vacancy which had occurred. He has filled various township offices and has been active in public affairs. He helped to survey most of the roads in this section of the county. He was one of the appraisers on the assessment of the right of way of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul [railroad], and was also on the drainage board that reclaimed many thousand acres of swamp land. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party and keeps well informed on the issues of the day, so that he is ever able to support his position by intelligent argument. With the Methodist Episcopal church he and his wife hold membership, and his Christian principles have permeated his life, making him a citizen of strong purpose and honorable character. He is one of the early settlers of Union township, and through a third of a century has witnessed with interest the progress and upbuilding of this section of the state. He has seen the raw prairie changed into rich farms, while towns and villages have sprung up and churches and schools have indicated the progress of civilization. As the years have passed his earnest and consecutive labor has brought to him success and now he is resting in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. [Source – Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S. J. Clarke, 1902, p.236]