BROWN, Thomas 1844-1910

BROWN, BIXBY, WILSON

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 9/25/2016 at 16:43:53

The announcement of the death of Tom Brown came as a blow to his relatives and friends in Grundy Center.

While returning home from Red Deer on a load of lumber it is thought his team became frightened and threw him off as he was found unconscious by the roadside by friends and died before he could be taken to a house nearby.

Thomas Brown was born in Lincolnshire, England, April 30, 1844, and died at Red Deer, Alberta, Canada, November 5, 1910.

When he was a small child he came to America with his parents, making Whiteside county, Illinois their home for five years.

They then moved to Benton county, Iowa, in 1854. He enlisted in the civil war when a mere boy of eighteen, even then showing a desire to be of good to his adopted country. For three years he served as a member of the 13th Iowa Infantry, seven months of which he was held as prisoner of war at Andersonville, Charleston and Florence.

After the war was over he returned to Benton county and was married to Miss Ellen Bixby.

In the early pioneer days of '69, he, with his wife and two children, Arthur and Winnie, came to Grundy county where he bought the farm which is now the home of his brother, W. G. Brown.

He then moved to Grundy Center and went into the livery business and also served four years as deputy sheriff. His wife died in 1881 and he was later married to Miss Lida Wilson. To this union four children were born--Everette, Lyle, Bee and Leo. His wife and five children survive him, Bee having died when a small child.

After serving as deputy Mr. Brown was elected to the office of sheriff and was re-elected six consecutive terms, serving 14 years in all, then retiring at his own wish.

In the spring of 1899 Mr. Brown and family moved to Red Deer, Alberta, Canada, where he and his son Everette have proved up on claims.

In 1908 he was called to the states by the sickness and death of his brother, John D. Brown, of Anthony, Kansas, making a short visit here before returning home.

Not only here but at his home at Red Deer will he be missed by a host of friends. Funeral services were held at Red Deer Nov. 8th at three o'clock and Lyle accompanied the remains of his father to Grundy Center. He was met at Reinbeck by his brother Arthur and also a brother-in-law of Mr. Brown, Mr. Clayton Bixby of LaPorte, Iowa. At Grundy Center they were met by relatives and friends and the body was taken to the home of Mr. and Mrs. James Cowie.

A large congregation gathered at the M.E. church Nov. 12th at two o'clock where services were conducted by the pastor, Rev. Keeler. At the request of relatives and friends, Mr. R. J. Williamson, who for many years was closely associated with Tom Brown, spoke in behalf of Tom, as a man, a citizen and a friend. At the close of which the G.A.R., who went in a body, conducted their regular services.

The casket was opened in order that old time friends might view, for the last time, the kindly features of a good man who made the lives of all who came in contact with his genial presence happier and brighter.

On account of the terrible shock and poor health his wife was unable to make the long trip here, which was greatly regretted by all.

Out of town relatives who attended the funeral were: Lyle Brown, Red Deer, Alberta, Canada; Mr. Clayton Bixby, LaPorte, Iowa, Mrs. Jane Eaton, Tom Eaton, Mrs. M. Huntley, Mr. and Mrs. V. Record, Waterloo, and Mrs. Wm. Jurger of Cedar Falls.

--Grundy County Democrat (Grundy Center, Iowa), 17 November 1910, pg 1