Brown, Matthew

BROWN, BOYD, MCALLISTER, JOHNSON, SHIELDS, FRENCH, GILFORD, EVANS, HOLTON

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/27/2009 at 11:33:41

Brown, Matthew

Among the most prominent of the young businessmen of Newton and Jasper County, the name of Matthew Brown stands. But thirty years of age, he is at the head of one of Jasper County's most important industries. He was born April 2, 1880, in Jasper County, and is the son of William and - (Boyd) Brown, both natives of Scotland, his parents having married there and come to America in 1863. From New York, their landing place, they went to Maryland for a short time, the father working in the coal mines of that State, but they soon left Maryland for Jasper County, Iowa. Landing in Jasper County, the father began farming. The farm he purchased was one hundred and twenty acres of unimproved land, but Mr. Brown set resolutely to work clearing it and improving it, building a good brick house thereon. He remained upon this farm until his death, which occurred in June 1906. Mr. Brown was a tireless worker and a man of public spirit. He raised much fine stock and was a member of the Shorthorn Breeders' Association. Few men were better or more favorably known in Jasper County. The mother of the subject of this sketch died while living upon the farm.

Mr. Brown, the subject of this review, is one of six children, all living, as follows: Mrs. Agnes McAllister, wife of David McAllister, of Jasper County; Jennie Johnson, wife of David Johnson, a farmer residing at Mt. Ayer, Iowa; Mary Shields, wife of Delmer Shields, a motorman of Des Moines, Iowa; Clara French, wife of Vernon French, a farmer in Jasper County; Robert B., a farmer residing in Jasper County; and Mr. Brown, the subject of this sketch.

Matthew Brown was married May 27, 1903, to Maud E. Gilford, daughter of John and Ann Gilford, both natives of Jasper County, and residing in the County at this writing. Mrs. Brown has the following brothers and sisters: William, residing in Spokane, Washington; Frank, residing in Sisters, Nebraska; Ella Evans, wife of William Evans, Greeley, Colorado; Charles, of Holton, Washington; Mr. Pearl, residing at Brainard, Minnesota; Maud E., wife of the subject, born May 8, 1884; Harry, of Glenwood, Iowa.

Mrs. Brown is an entertaining woman of intelligence and culture. She is a member of the First Christian Church of Newton and of the Ladies Aid and C. W. B. M. societies of that Church.

Mr. Brown, after conducting a general blacksmithing business for eight years, purchased the Newton Tile Works, which factory he has successfully operated for five years, manufacturing first class drain tile of all sizes up to and including eight-inch, his factory being the only one in Newton making tile. Few young men are so well known in the County as this young manufacturer, as he is one of the most enterprising of the County's many businessmen. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 1311.