Brownson, Freeman 1843 - 1907

BROWNSON, FLANAGAN, DIDISMANN

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 4/11/2019 at 20:59:10

Elkader Register, Thur., 7 Feb. 1907. Garnavillo News column.

Freeman Brownson was born July 6, 1843, in St. Lawrence County, N.Y., and died January 29, 1907, at the old homestead, National, Iowa.

He was the second son of Daniel and Asenath Brownson, who came to Iowa in 1846, purchasing from the government the land which composes the present farm. His early years were made up of the hardships incident to pioneer life. The nearest flouring mill was a day's drive in Wisconsin, and few of the necessaries of life could be obtained west of Prairie du Chien. Schools were far apart and taught but a few months in the winter. Several miles must be traversed each morning and evening to spend a few hours in the old log school house with its slab desks and benches. In summers the ox teams must be driven in breaking the prairie, and the wheat raised must be harvested with the cradle. Yet in those days of hardship and difficulties was laid the foundation of the strong, honest, robust character which distinguished his whole life.

Having lived nearly sixty years of the same farm, he has witnessed the development of the country almost from the beginning of its settlement to the present. During all this time he was ever found on the right side helping in this development - for better schools, better churches, better roads, better farm and stock raising methods, always helping the poor and unfortunate. He and his father were the first to introduce and raise the pure bred Percheron horse in northeastern Iowa, importing several directly from France, and also among the first to foster the raising of pure bred swine in the state, two factors which have added as much to its wealth and prosperity as any others. Not given to display, he pursued the even course of his life, helping where he could, and in many ways of which the world knows not, and receiving unsought many places of local trust and honor. He departs "leaving the testimony of a useful, unselfish life and an earnest faith in a blissful immortality." He had a wide acquaintance of friends over the county who will hold him in the highest esteem and who will hear of his death with the keenest regret and sorrow.

He was united in marriage with L___ (possibly Lana) Flanagan, October 6, 1866, who died September 8, 1869, leaving one son, J. D. Brownson, of Monona.

On September 15, 1872, he married Miss Rachael Didismann, who survives him. Of this last marriage four children are living, Lois, Herbert, Una and Lloyd, all at home on the farm. He leaves also one brother, Truman Brownson, of Verdon, Neb., and one sister, Mrs. Eugene Flanagan, of Omaha, Neb.

He has been in poor health for a year or two, yet death came almost suddenly after only two or three days serious sickness.

The funeral took place at 10 o'clock Friday morning, February 1st, from the family residence to the German Lutheran church at National, where Rev. Cheney, of Monona, delivered a beautiful and fitting eulogy in which he extolled in a most scholarly manner the life of one who lay silent in death before him. Quartette selections were also rendered. From the church the cortege proceeded to the local cemetery, where all that was mortal of a devoted father and brother was laid tenderly to rest.