BROWN, John L. 1838 - 1896

BROWN, TAYLOR, CARD

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 5/25/2021 at 20:23:28

"The Fairfield Ledger"
Wednesday, April 8, 1896
Page 3, Column 6

Answered the Last Roll Call.

Lieut. John L. BROWN, a brave soldier and a worthy citizen, died very suddenly at his home in this city Thursday evening about 6 o'clock. For more than twenty-five years he had been almost wholly incapacitated for labor of any kind, as a result of disease contracted while in the service of the government, and for much of that time was almost without power of locomotion. Mr. BROWN was on the street in his usual health Monday. The day of his death he was feeling unusually well, and had just finished a hearty meal a few moments before his death. While alone in his room for a few moments, rheumatism, from which he had been suffering for some time past, attacked his heart, and he passed away almost without a struggle and without a word of farewell to those about him.

Deceased was a son of Washington BROWN, who now resides at Keosauqua. He was born in Ross county, Ohio, February 1st, 1838. In 1846 the family removed to Van Buren county, where Mr. BROWN grew to manhood. He enlisted in Company C of the Third Iowa cavalry August 1st, 1861, and saw four years of service with that famous regiment. He served as private, corporal and sergeant of his company, and in June, 1864, was commissioned first lieutenant in the Freedman's Bureau service and continued in that department until its affairs were closed up. Mr. BROWN was married in this city, February 25th, 1864, to Martha Belle, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Asahel H. BROWN, who died here August 23d, 1892. February 20th, 1894, Mr. BROWN was married to Mrs. Carrie TAYLOR CARD, who now resides here.

It falls to the lot of few men to undergo the physical suffering which afflicted John L. BROWN for so great a portion of his life, and smaller still is the proportion of those who would bear misfortune so resignedly and so uncomplainingly. Under all circumstances and at all times he seemed bright and cheerful and hopeful of what the future had in store for him. He was thoroughly honest, a man with deep convictions of right and wrong. He was kindly in his manner, sympathetic and charitable. He was not an idle man, and such duties as he could perform for society, for the orders to which he belonged, for his party, he did thoroughly and conscientiously. He was an intense republican in his political beliefs, and he rendered much service and was a skillful and enthusiastic worker. For years he had been a leading spirit in George Strong Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and he will be sadly missed in the post hall. To those who knew John L. BROWN best he was a very pleasant and most genial companion, a man of unusual excellence and one worthy of friendship and confidence.

Funeral services were held at the family residence Sunday afternoon, in charge of Rev. G. F. Reinking, to whose church Mr. BROWN had belonged for many years, and Rev. J. F. Magill. The choir of the First M. E. church rendered the music. George Strong Post, the Woman's Relief Corps and the Eastern Stars marched to the services in a body, and there was an unusually large attendance of citizens and and (sic) friends of the family. Many floral tributes to the memory of the good man came from friends at home and abroad. The officers of George Strong Post had charge of the exercises at the grave, and John L. BROWN was given a soldier's burial.

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"The Fairfield Tribune"
Wednesday, April 8, 1896
Page 2, Column 1

LITTLE LOCALS.

... J. M. Stinson has been appointed administrator of the estate of John L. BROWN, deceased. ...

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"The Fairfield Tribune"
Wednesday, April 8, 1896
Page 7, Column 2

PERSONAL.

... Washington BROWN and S. M. BROWN, of Keosauqua, and D. E. Bradish, of Des Moines, Henry and Clark Pickard and wife, of Pleasant Plain, were in the city Sunday to attend the funeral of Mr. John L. BROWN. ...

... Mr. and Mrs. John Scothorn, of Pleasant Plain, were in the city Sunday, called here by the death of John L. BROWN. ...

(same publication and page, but Column 3 -- )

Sudden Death of John L. BROWN.

This community was shocked last Thursday afternoon by the announcement of the sudden death of Mr. John L. BROWN at his home in this city at 5:45 o'clock. He had just eaten an unusually hearty supper and was still sitting up in bed and was in the act of adjusting his spectacles to read, when his wife, who was in the rear part of the house, heard him coughing, and hurriedly went in the room to find Mr. BROWN evidently stricken with death. He struggled for a few minutes only and died, the spell not lasting over three minutes. Mr. BROWN had been confined to the house with a severe cold since Monday night, and had been troubled with rheumatic pains in his legs, which he had been subject to for years. But on Thursday, the day of his death, he seemed, and he expressed himself as being, much improved, and wanted to get up. His death was caused from rheumatism of the heart.

John L. BROWN was the son of George Washington and Mary L. BROWN, and was born in Yellowbud, Ross county, Ohio, February 1, 1838. When a boy he removed with this parents to Iowa, and settled on a farm near Keosauqua, where he grew to young manhood and received his school education. Mr. BROWN was a soldier in the late war, enlisting August 1, 1861, and was a member of company G, Third Iowa Cavalry. He was promoted from third corporal to first sergeant, and in June, 1864, was commissioned first lieutenant in the Freedmen's Bureau Service, serving until this department closed in 1866. Mr. BROWN was a brave soldier and took part in many important engagements. During the latter part of his service he received an injury in the left hip and it gradually grew worse, and after his return from the war his ailment increased, resulting in an abcess which affected both legs. For many years past he has been a sufferer and of late years was enabled to get around only by the aid of crutches.

Mr. BROWN was married in this city February 25, 1864, to Miss Martha Bell BROWN. Mrs. BROWN died August 25, 1892. A year and a half later Mr. BROWN was married to Mrs. Carrie CARD, of this city, who survives him. The deceased was a man highly esteemed by all those who chanced to know him, of easy acquaintance, a genial fellow and of jovial disposition, and always a kind word for all. Although afflicted as he was he made the best of everything, and was seldom heard to complain.

The funeral was held at his late residence last Sunday afternoon at two o'clock. Rev. Dr. J. F. Magill, of the Presbyterian church, conducted the service, assisted by Rev. Reinking, of the Baptist church. There was a very large attendance. The George Strong Post, G. A. R. No. 19, of which the deceased was a member, took charge of the remains, and marched in a body to the cemetery, as did also the W. R. C. and Eastern Star societies. Many beautiful floral designs adorned the casket, tributes from respect of loving friends. Deceased leaves an aged father, a brother and a sister, the latter residing in California.

Following are the resolutions adopted by George Strong Post, G. A. R. of this city:

Head Quarters George Strong Post, No. 19
Department of Iowa G. A. R.
Fairfield, Iowa, April 6, 1896.

Whereas: It has pleased our Heavenly Father to removed from our midst by death our comrade and fellow citizen, John L. BROWN, late a member of company G, 3rd Iowa Cavalry. Therefore be it

Resolved, That in the death of comrade BROWN we realize the loss to his family of a dutiful husband and father, to George Strong Post of a faithful and efficient member, and to the community of a patriotic and public spirited citizen.

Resolved, That in respect to the memory of comrade BROWN our post room and colors be drapped (sic) in mourning for 60 days, and that a copy of these resolutions be presented to the bereaved widow, and that they be spread upon the records of the post and a copy furnished to each of the city papers and the Grand Army Advocate for publication.

J. S. GANTZ,
JOHN A. SPEILMAN,
CHARLES GIFT,
Committee.

Attest: M. GRAHAM, Post Adj't.

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

Note: Buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Fairfield, IA, in Lot Old.P.261 with first wife Martha. Second wife Carrie died in 1941 in Los Angeles, CA; we have no record of her burial in Jefferson County.