BROWN, Asahel Herrington - 1890 Bio (1795-1884)

BROWN, STEELE, BRINKLEY, FEE, OGDEN, PARKINSON, VAN DORN, PASSMORE

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 7/29/2007 at 12:38:09

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Page 204

Asahel Herrington BROWN, deceased, is numbered among the honored pioneers of Jefferson County, where he located in August, 1844. He was born in Huntingdon County, Pa., April 21, 1795, and was a son of Daniel BROWN. In his native State he was reared to manhood and later was employed on the State works and also engaged in farming. On the 11th of February, 1819, in the county of his nativity, he wedded Miss Isabella STEELE, who was born in Huntingdon County, Pa., July 15, 1797, and was the daughter of Samuel STEELE. Their union was blessed with ten children as follows: Nancy E., who is now the wife of Thomas E. BRINKLEY, of Muscatine, Iowa; Isaac H., who married Miss Ellen FEE and is living in Nebraska; Martha J., who died in girlhood; Ellen A., who became the wife of Dr. W. B. OGDEN and died in December, 1865; James, who died in childhood; Sarah Jane, who wedded Thomas A. PARKINSON and died July 15, 1869; Temperance, wife of William A. VAN DORN, died February 15, 1880; William Steele, died September 16, 1846; M. Isabel is the wife of J. L. BROWN, of Fairfield, Iowa, and Dan W. married Emma PASSMORE and is living in Chicago.

As before stated, the residence of Mr. BROWN in Jefferson County dates back to August, 1844, when, accompanied by his family, he left his Eastern home and emigrated to Iowa, locating in Fairfield City on a lot now owned by his daughter, Mrs. J. L. BROWN. He was ever regarded as one of the representative and enterprising citizens of the community and the part which he bore in public affairs, the enterprise and industry which was displayed for the advancement of the county's best interests, is well worthy of mention in this volume. During the Territorial days of Iowa he held the office of Collector, and for several years served as Postmaster of Fairfield and was also Justice of the Peace for some time. He made wagon-making his business and did a flourishing trade in that line, continuing operations until almost the close of his life. He was a large man and his death resulted from a severe fall on an icy walk. The accident occurred on the 5th of February, 1884, and he passed away on the 30th of March following, at the age of nearly eighty-nine years. His wife, whose death occurred some years previous, passed away November 23, 1871, in the seventy-fifth year of her age.

Mr. BROWN was a man of more than average ability in many respects. He retained both his mental and physical faculties, almost unimpaired, and for seven years prior to his death had not even used glasses, yet would read for hours at a time. He was remarkably well informed on all topics of general interest and was also a great Bible student. All church work found in him a hearty sympathizer and from the time of its organization until his death he filled the office of Deacon in the Baptist Church, in which his wife was also an active member. In his earlier years he was a member of the Sons of Temperance and, throughout his entire life, was an inflexible opponent of the liquor traffic. The Whig party, and afterwards the Abolition party, received his support in early days, but on the organization of the Republican party he joined its ranks. Mr. BROWN was devoted to his family and friends and was ever faithful to any trust reposed in him. His kindly acts, his generous disposition and his charity for all, won him hosts of friends and his earnest Christian life might well be taken as an example by others.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.