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Matthew Walter Browne (1939)

BELL, BROWNE, FREY, STILLINGS, WIENMAN

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 3/5/2007 at 09:55:51

Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
February 1, 1939

M. W. BROWNE OF ST. CHARLES DIES

Had Been Rural Carrier of Mail for Quarter Century

St. Charles -- (Special)-- M. W. Browne, a rural mail carrier here for more than a quarter century, died at his home here last Friday after a brief illness. About a week before his death he suffered an attack of pleurisy, which later turned into pneumonia.

Mr. Browne was a life-long resident of St. Charles and community. He was born in St. Charles in April, 1886, the son of the late Capt. and Mrs. J. M. Browne.

He had retired from his work as rural mail carrier seven years ago. He and Mrs. Browne celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on Oct. 22 of last year.

He is survived by his wife; five sons, Muriel Browne of Des Moines, Matthew Browne of Powell, Wyo., Herbert Browne of Cheyenne, Wyo., and Edward and Donald Browne of St. Charles; and one daughter, Mrs. Harold Frey of near Patterson. He also leave a half brother, Kenneth Browne, and a half sister, Mrs. Agnes Wienman, both of Indianola.

Funeral services were held Monday in charge of the Rev. Smith at the Methodist church. Burial was made in the St. Charles cemetery.
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The Winterset News
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, February 2, 1939
Page 4, Column 5

M. WALT BROWNE IS BURIED MONDAY

Retired Mail Carrier Dies Thursday in St. Charles At 72 Years.

M. Walter Browne, a retired mail carrier of St. Charles, died Friday at his home in St. Charles of pneumonia. Browne, 72 years of age, was a member of a widely known Madison county pioneer family.

M. W. Browne was the oldest child of Captain J. M. Browne and Mary Stillings Browne, and was born April 27, 1866 in St. Charles. His father was a prominent merchant, farmer and citizen of South township and St. Charles from 1855 to 1900 when he moved to Indianola where he died. He represented Madison county in the legislature and was active in the civic affairs of the county.

On Oct. 25, 1888 Walter was married to Virginia Bell. The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last October. They were the parents of six children. He lived in and about St. Charles most of his life and for 22 years was a mail carrier, retiring July 10, 1932.

Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at two o’clock in the Methodist church, the Rev. Lucius L. Smith conducting the service. Mail carriers of Madison county were pall bearers. Burial was made in the St. Charles cemetery.

The surviving relatives are: his wife; six children, Merle R. of Des Moines; Joseph Mathew of Powell, Wyo.; Edward P. of St. Charles; Clarence Herbert of Cheyenne, Wyo.; Donald of St. Charles and Mary Belle Frey of Patterson; a brother, J. K. Browne and a sister, Mrs. H. C. Weinman, both of Indianola. Fifteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren also survive.
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The St. Charles News
St. Charles, Iowa
Thursday, February 2, 1939
Page 1

MATHEW WALTER "Walter" BROWNE DIED AT HIS HOME IN ST. CHARLES

M.W. Browne, familiarly known as "Walter," passed away at his home in St. Charles last Friday morning. He was a little over 72 years of age. He contracted a cold which developed into pneumonia which caused his death.

The funeral was held at the Methodist church at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon. The building was filled to capacity by the friends who came to pay their last respects.

The sermon was given by the pastor, Rev. L.L. Smith. The choir was composed of Ed R. Beitzell, Mrs. Carrie Guilliams, Miss Charlotte King and Wm. Lathrum with Miss Maxine Neuman as accompanist. There were many beautiful floral offerings.

Mr. Browne was a member of the Rural Letter Carriers Association of Madison County, and the pallbearers were mail carriers or retired mail carriers of the county: James Anderson, St. Charles; Leland Kreger, Truro; Fred Montgomery, Winterset; John Spence, Winterset; Bernard Cook, Earlham; Glen Foster, Winterset. Burial was made in the St. Charles cemetery. Undertaker H.F. Reed had charge of the services.

Mr. Browne was a man of sterling worth and had a host of friends. He was kind and neighborly and would go to most any length to help other people.

We will miss him at The News office where he frequently stopped in for a visit. He will be missed by everyone in the town and surrounding communities. His widow and children have the sympathy of the entire community.

Mathew Walter Browne, son of Captain J.M. and Mary Stillings Browne, was born in a dwelling just west of the Browne store on Main Street in St. Charles on the 27th day of April, 1866, and departed this life on the 27th day of January, 1939 at the age of 72 years and 9 months. Here and in the vicinity, he grew to manhood, attending public schools in St. Charles. He also attended Simpson College a year and two years at the Indiana State Normal School at Indiana, Pennsylvania.

He spent two years in western Kansas where he homesteaded. On his return, he was married to Miss Virginia Bell, October 25, 1888, the ceremony being performed by the Rev. W.R. Baldridge, then the Presbyterian minister at St. Charles. After that time, he lived in and near St. Charles on the farm. For several years he has lived on Main Street in St. Charles.

To this union, six children were born, five sons and one daughter as follows: Merle R. of Des Moines, Joseph Mathew of Powell, Wyo, Edward P. of St. Charles, Clarence Herbert of Cheyenne, Wyo, Donald of St. Charles, and Mary Bell Frey of Patterson.

Mr. Browne was interested in the civic life of his community in which he lived. He served or many years as Township Clerk of South Township and also on the St. Charles School Board. His father was a captain in the Civil War, so while the Sons of Veterans had an organization in St. Charles, he was an active member. At the time of observing Memorial Day, Mr. Browne's duty was to place flags at the graves of the veterans. No person knew their locations better than he or was more willing to help than he.

He was a mail carrier on Route No. 4 for twenty-two years, retiring on July 10, 1932. No carrier was ever more faithful than he was to perform every act as such and even "went the second mile if necessary." Ask any of his patrons who were on Route 4 for twenty-two years.

He is survived by his wife, the six children heretofore mentioned, fifteen grandchildren; three great grandchildren, a brother, J.K. Browne, and a sister, Mrs. Agnes Weinman of Indianola; also a brother-in-law, Dr. Bell, of Pleasantville, who has been more than a brother to him.

Mr. Browne was a good citizen and will be missed in St. Charles and community. If you were in need and "down and out" and worthy, you would get help from him. He was a poor man's friend.

NOTE: (on the same page) Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Browne of Powell, Wyo., C.H. Browne of Cheyenne, and Mr. And Mrs. M.R. Browne of Des Moines were called here last week by the serious illness and death of their father, M.W. Browne.

Coordinator note: First name is spelled Matthew on gravestone.

Gravesite
 

Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
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