BROWN, John L. - 1890 Bio (1838-1896)

BROWN, LONG, COLBURN

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 7/29/2007 at 12:57:40

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 201-202

John L. BROWN, a veteran of the late war and an early settler of Van Buren County, Iowa, now residing in Fairfield, Jefferson County, was born in the town of Yellowbud, Ross County, Ohio, February 1, 1838, and is a son of G. Washington and Mary (LONG) BROWN. His father, the youngest of eleven children, was born in Huntingdon Pa., in the year 1811, and was of Scotch (sic) and German descent. He came to Iowa with his family in 1846, settled in Van Buren County, and is now a resident of Keosauqua. The mother was born in Highland County, Ohio, in 1809, and was descended from English ancestry.

Our subject was a lad of eight years when he accompanied his parents to Iowa, reaching Keosauqua at Christmas time. The family settled on a farm in Vernon Township, Van Buren County, Iowa, where he was reared to manhood, receiving his education in the public schools. Responding to his country’s call for troops he enlisted for the late war on the 1st of August, 1861, as a member of Company G. Third Iowa Cavalry, was promoted from Third Corporal to First Sergeant and, in June, 1864, was commissioned First Lieutenant in the Freedmen’s Bureau Service and assumed staff duty, serving until that department was closed out in 1866. Lieut. BROWN took part in many important engagements, including the battles of Tupelo, Guntown, Selma, Columbia, Little Rock, Hartsville, Grierson’s raid, Moore’s Mill and in skirmishes too numerous to mention. He was in command of the provost guard at Memphis at the time of Forrest’s celebrated raid on that city. Toward the close of his service he received an injury in the left hip which at first took the form of a tumor and at times caused him much pain, unfitting him for duty. After his return from the war his ailment increased and eventually resulted in an abscess which affected first the left leg and then the right until their usefulness, as a means of locomotion, was virtually destroyed. Mr. BROWN has now been a sufferer for nearly twenty-five years, and from the rugged man of six feet, three inches in height, weighing two hundred and thirty pounds, he is reduced to one hundred and fifty-six pounds in weight and is perceptably lessened in stature. However, not withstanding his physical afflictions he is cheerful and makes the best of his misfortune.

On the 25th of February, 1864, in Fairfield, Mr. BROWN was united in marriage with Miss Martha Bell, daughter of Asahel BROWN, an early pioneer of Jefferson County, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Mrs. BROWN was born in Huntingdon, Pa., and came to Fairfield, Iowa, with her parents in July, 1844. To Mr. and Mrs. BROWN has been born one child, a daughter, Lulu Z., who is now the wife of George COLBURN, of Des Moines. Mrs. BROWN and her daughter are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. BROWN is a Republican in politics and a member of George Strong Post, No. 19, G.A.R. His father was also a soldier of the late war, joining the regiment known as the Iowa Graybeards, in 1863 and, after nine months service, was discharged on account of physical disability. Our subject continued to reside in Van Buren County until 1871, when he removed to Fairfield where he has since resided. He has made many warm friends throughout the community and is held in high esteem by all who know him.

[Transcriber's note: The G.A.R. is the Grand Army of the Republic, the fore-runner of the American Legion.]

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