BROWN, James W. - 1912 Bio (1870-1930)

BROWN, BANKHEAD, RIZOR, HICKENBOTTOM

Posted By: Debbie Nash (email)
Date: 12/17/2003 at 17:45:17

From the History of Jefferson County - 1912, Volume II
Pages 239-240

JAMES W. BROWN

“James W. BROWN, a man of remarkable single mindedness in his unceasing devotion to the unremitting toil which falls to the lot of every farmer, owns and operates his old home farm which he has never left from the time of his birth, March 15, 1870, until the present. The farm is situated in Lockridge township, Jefferson county, Iowa, to which place his father came, on leaving Scotland, drawn thither by the coal fields of this region. His father, Mathew BROWN, was a miner by occupation and settled at Coalport in Lockridge township, where, in partnership with his brother-in-law, Mr. BANKHEAD, he engaged in the business of coal mining. He followed this pursuit for thirty-five years, during which time he purchased, in company with his brother, four hundred and five acres of land, which he farmed in addition to taking care of his mining interests. After a long period, however, he discontinued mining and devoted himself wholly to farming. His death occurred in December, 1905, while his widow, now seventy-seven years of age, is still in good health despite her advanced years.

James W. BROWN was reared at home and educated in the district schools. When a boy he made himself useful in many ways about the farm and later shared with his father the heavy responsibilities of cultivating so large a tract of land. After his father’s death he bought out the other heirs who had inherited shares in the farm and now operates this land, of which ninety acres of rich soil is under cultivation, yielding abundant harvests.

On May 24, 1893, Mr. BROWN was married to Miss Carrie RIZOR. She was a daughter of Eli and Frances (HICKENBOTTOM) RIZOR, the former of whom was a native of Ohio, while the mother was born in Jefferson county, Iowa. Her father came to Jefferson county with his parents in the early days when Iowa was being rapidly populated by a steady flow of emigrants pouring in from states farther east. When he was old enough he engaged in farming for himself and operated his original land holdings until his death in 1888. His widow who still survives him lives at Fairfield, Iowa, and is fifty-four years of age.

Mr. and Mrs. BROWN are the parents of four children: Marion B., seventeen years old; Sybil F., fifteen years old; Lazell M., eleven years of age; and Blanche A., aged eight. Mr. BROWN is a member of the Baptists church in which he is an interested worker. In his politic sentiments he has usually given his support to the republicans. Although never eager to hold office he was elected to one term as a director of the local school district and he has also served as constable. As a man of earnest purposes and high moral ideals Mr. BROWN has won the respect of all who know him.”

I am copying this for genealogical purposes and am not related to said individuals.