James L. Brown 1863-1928

BROWN, LARSON, BERG, BERGE

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 5/9/2013 at 22:20:15

J.L. Brown Dies Suddenly This Morning

The sudden death of J.L. Brown, which occurred at his home in Gruver this (Wednesday) morning at two o’clock was a great shock to his friends over the county. He had been in poor health for a long time but it was not believed that his condition was serious. The date of the funeral is not known at this time as he has two sons in California and it is thought that the funeral will not be held until they reach here.

Mr. Brown was one of the staunch and dependable farmers and business men of Emmet county and prominent in political affairs, being affiliated with the republican party. For four years he was a member of the county board of supervisors from his district and made a fine record as a careful and painstaking official. For two terms he held the office of township assessor and also served as one of the directors on the school board. He was identified with the Lutheran church.

He was a genial and companionable man and liked best by those who knew him the most.

James L. Brown was born on the 19th of March, 1863, in Norway of which country his parents , Lars and Anna Brown, were also natives. The mother passed away there, but the father came to America, where his last years were spent.

He was one of a family of six children and his education was that afforded by the public schools of Norway. In 1882, he came to America and located in Polk county, Iowa. After working on the railroad for two months he was employed on a farm in Wright county for a time and in 1885 also worked on a farm in Kendall county, Illinois. Subsequently he rented a farm in Wright county, this state, which he cultivated for three years. During that time he carefully saved his money and was able to buy eighty acres in that county which he farmed until 1898 when he sold the farm and purchased a farm comprising of four hundred and seventy two acres in Center township south of Gruver, which he managed until a few years ago where he has devoted his time buying and shipping stock.

Mr. Brown was married in 1888 to Miss Maggie Larson of Clinton county, Iowa. Eight children were born to this union, all of whom are still living: Anna C., wife of Swen Berg, of Montana; Tilda J., who married Lewis Berg, now living in Brounhead, Wis.; Clarence C. Estherville, Joseph M., Milford and Vernon residing on the Brown farms; and Lloyd S. and Lars Elmer, of California. Deceased is also survived by his wife. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, April 25, 1928)

The community was grieved to hear of the death of J.L. Brown at his home in Gruver early last Wednesday morning. Mr. Brown had been ill the past year but had been regaining his health nicely until a few days before his death. He leaves to mourn his loss, his wife and eight children, all of whom were present at their father’s funeral but one son, Lloyd in California. The funeral was held at theRyan Lake Lutheran Church Monday afternoon and burial made in the Lutheran cemetery at Wallingford. The large number attending the funeral and the beautiful floral offerings testified to the esteem in which Mr. Brown was held in the community. His five sons, Clarence, Elmer, Joseph, Milford and Vernon and a son-in-law, Swen Berg, acted as pall bearers. Rev. Hansen assisted by Rev. Strand preached the funeral sermon. A brother of Mr. Brown’s from Minnesota and other relatives were here to attend the funeral. A complete obituary will be found elsewhere in the paper.

Obituary of James L. Brown
James L. Brown was born March 19, 1863, at Skonevik, Norway. Parents, Lars and Anna Brown. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran church and faith at his birthplace in Norway. In the year 1882 he immigrated to America and came first to Polk County, Iowa. After working on the railroad for two months he was employed on a farm in Wright County. The following year 1885, he went to Kendall county, Ill., for a short stay after which he came back to Wright county and rented a farm for three years. In the year, 1888, he bought an eighty-acre farm which he worked for ten years.

He was united in Holy wedlock to Margaret Larson, a native of Clinton County, the 14th day of July, 1888. This union was blessed with eight children, two girls and six boys. In the year, 1898 Mr. and Mrs. Brown sold the farm in Wright county and came to Emmet County where they bought a farm in Center township, south of Gruver, Iowa. Here they lived until a few years ago when they bought a home in Gruver and moved from the farm to town. The oldest son, Clarence, then took care of the farm. About a year ago Mr. Brown was taken sick and sought doctors. Last summed [summer] he spent about three months at the Sanitorium in Minneapolis, Minn., and seemingly recovered his health. We all hoped and wished to see him entirely restored to health and not the least his dear ones but his was not the will of God. On Friday, the 20th of April he had a severe heart attack and a doctor was summoned, but no one thought the end would come so soon. On Wednesday morning at 2:25 he passed quietly and peacefully to the great beyond. He was at the time of his death 65 years, one month and 5 days old. Mr. Brown has been a member of the Immanuel Congregation for about thirty years and always took a keen leading interest in all the work of the congregation. He was not afraid to express his opinion and with his keen mind surely gave to the congregation a wonderful help. We, who are left, stand with bowed head and sorrow in our heart deeply conscious of our great loss, but we have to bow to God’s will and say, “Thy will be done.” Those to mourn the loss of a dear husband, father, grandfather and brother are: wife, Margaret Brown and daughter, Anna Christina, now Mrs. Swen Berg of Hodges, Montana; Tilda Johanna, now Mrs. Lewis J. Berge, of Broadhead, Wis.; sons, Clarence of Estherville; Joseph of Gruver; Elmer of Richmond, Virginia; Milford of Estherville; and Vernon, the youngest, who stays at home with his mother. Also fourteen grandchildren and three brothers, Peter T. Brown of Huxley, Iowa; Peter L. Brown of Bemidiji, Minn.; and John L Brown of Bemidiji, Minn.

Funeral services were held on Monday, the 30th, of April, both from the home and the Immanuel church. Herny Mahlum, funeral director, and T. Hansen conducting the funeral services, assisted by Rev. S. Strand. Pall bearers were the five sons, Clarence, Joseph, Elmer, Milford and Vernon. The sixth son, Lloyd could not be present at the funeral so his brother-in-law, Lewis J. Berg, took his place as pass bearer. A great host of friends and relatives had met up to pay the last respects to their good friend and neighbor. The casket was laden with floral wreaths and bouquets, given by dear ones of the family and friends. The choir sang several beautiful numbers, both at the church and at the cemetery. J.M. Wolden spoke some kind words of remembrance from close association in connection in church work and public work in connection with dear friend who has gone.

He was laid to rest in the Wallingford Lutheran cemetery where his body will sleep until resurrection morning. There are many that will miss and regret the loss of Mr. Brown and not the least his own dear family, but God who gave them a husband, father, grandfather and brother is the only one that can fill for them the vacant chair and console them in the sorrow and grief. May God bless them and create this one prayer. May we all meet for Jesus’ sake in the Gloriuos Heaven Above. – T. Hansen (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, May 2, 1929)