Dr. E.L.Brownell, 1843-1914

BROWNELL, BLANCHARD, FRANCIS, MILLER, SMITH, GAMEL

Posted By: Roy & Linda Linn
Date: 7/17/2013 at 10:38:43

The Spirit Lake Beacon
Dickinson County, Iowa
December 3, 1914

DR. E. L.BROWNELL.

BROWNELL. At his home in SpiritLake, Wednesday, Dec 2, 1914, Dr. E. L. Brownell, aged 71 years and 10 months.

Whole the death of Dr. E.L. Brownell was not wholly unexpected it cast a gloom of sadness over the entire community. His condition has been considered more or less serious to everyone, save himself, since his surgical operation in Chicago more than a year ago. The hour of passing was at 2:50 a,m, Wednesday morning. He had been practically unconscious for several days.

The funeral will be held at the Presbyterian church Friday morning at 10:30, conducted by Rev. Frank H. Gamel, his pastor.

The subject of our sketch is a native of Hamilton county, Ohio, where he was born in the year 1843. At seven years of age his parents took him to Vermont, where he received his education and was about to enter college when the war broke out. In June, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, Ninth Vermont Infantry, as a private, serving three and a half years; in February, 1864, was commissioned second lieutenant, serving in that capacity until April, 1865; then received the commission of first lieutenant; was made captain in June of the same year, and was discharged in December, 1865. He was in the battle at Harper’s Ferry, where with eleven thousand others, he was captured and after two days parole and sent to Chicago. His regiment, having been exchanged, was returned to active service in the spring of 1863, the regiment’s first duty being the guarding of several thousand rebel prisoners from Chicago to City Point, Virginia, for exchange. He served with his regiment at Yorktown and Suffolk, Virginia, Newport and New Berne, North Carolina, in the taking of Fort Harrison and the second battle of Fair Oaks, One hundred of the picket guard from his regiment were the first to go into Richmond, April 3, 1865, and his regiment was on duty in this city until July and were then sent to Norfolk, Virginia, where they were kept on duty until December. After his service he returned to Vermont; studied medicine, graduating in 1868 from the medical department of the University of Vermont, and settled in St. Lawrence county, New York, and commenced the practice of medicine; remained in that section until the spring of 1871; coming west to Jackson county, Minnesota, located in Jackson village, and removing from there to this place in 1877. At the time of his location in Jackson, Minn. He was the only physician and surgeon within fifty miles, except one at Fairmont and one at Estherville, Iowa. He was often called forty miles on professional visits, and was often obliged to be out in the severe stormes which were common to this section. In October, 1886, he was appointed postmaster and held the office up to August, 1889. He was examining surgeon for the pension department from 1871 to 1886; division surgeon for the B.C.R. & N Railroad, and held many other offices of trust in Spirit Lake and Dickinson county.

In the year 1869 our subject was married to Miss Ellen S. Blanchard of Norfolk, N.Y. They had one daughter – Carrie, who survives him. Mrs. Brownell died in October 1872. In 1875 Dr. Brownell was again married to Miss Eunice E. Francis, daughter of John Francis of this county. By this second marriage four children were born. Frankie, Nellie E. Lyle A. and Ruth. Frankie passed away when he was in his third year and Lyle A. later. Mrs. Edward Miller died in 1907. Mrs. Nellie E. Smith of Osage and Miss Ruth Brownell survive him. Together with a brother and sister, who resides in Chicago.

Dr Brownell retired from his professional business in 1906 and has since spent considerable of his time looking after extensive land holding in several parts of the county.

To one who has only known Dr. Brownell for a few years there are things in his life that are worthy, and to those who have associated with him for years there are doubtless many other things that impress themselves upon the mind.

There are men born for larger and for smaller tasks. There are men who move by leaps and bounds, while others reep. There are men who scale at a nound the barriers where others turn back foot sore and lame. There are men who grasp with the hand of genius the end desired and means to be used while others become lost in a maze of detail. Mr. Brownell was born for the larger work of life.

Another thing that impresses itself upon one with reference to the life of Dr. Brownell was his wonderful perservance and pluck. He seldom if ever gave up or surrendered. He was always on the firing line.

Again one is impressed with Dr. Brownell’s love for his hometown. He has had Spirit Lake community at heart and has done much during his long years of residence here to inspire the upbuilding and broadening of the community. While during his life he gathered together much of this worlds goods he has not worked for himself alone, but instead has been a man of liberality and has not lived in vain in a larger sense.

The passing years may have brought happiness and contentment to the Doctor but the business life seemed to prelude much of the pursuit of selfish happiness.

Dr. Brownell loved his first and old acquaintances, his old time neighbors and associates, the old home town where he lived his life’s activities, the scenes of the lakes with its wooded and sanded shores. He was one of the common people. Wealth did not remove him from his more fortunate brothren. He lived on a plain with the humblest citizens and the meekest and most unassuming could command his consideration and attention.

Dr. Brownell will be missed in Spirit Lake, and the sorrowing relatives will have the sincerest sympathy of the people of this community.

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Crego Smith of Osage are here to attended the funeral and Mrs. Shirley Smith of Buffalo, N.Y. is expected.