John Brownlie (1970)

BROWNLIE, MCFARLANE, DOUGAN, HAUSER, HINDMAN, MILLER, DENNIS

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler (email)
Date: 8/30/2007 at 15:31:40

Winterset Madisonian - September 23, 1970
Winterset, Iowa

JOHN BROWNLIE DIED SEPT. 15

John Brownlie of near Winterset, a resident of Madison county for 60 years and a former state legislator from this county, died Tuesday, Sept. 15, at Madison Manor. He was 89 years of age.

Mr. Brownlie was born near Fairfax on Jan. 19, 1881, a son of Robert A. and Mary McFarlane Brownlie. His parents were pioneers in that community.

As a young man he worked for the railroad for several years. On Dec. 21, 1910, he was married to Ida Dougan of Fairfax. They moved to Winterset and actively engaged in farming for 36 years.

He was interested in agricultural mechanization, and operated a steam threshing machine for 31 seasons. He purchased the first John Deere tractor out of Winterset.

He served on the rural school board, and was township clerk for 25 years. He helped organize the Farmers Cooperative Elevator in Winterset, and served on its board of directors for 38 years.

After retiring from farming, he served three terms in the house of representatives of the Iowa State legislature.

He had been a member of the United Presbyterian church since early life, serving as an elder, and in other capacities. He taught Sunday school for more than 50 years.

The Brownlies celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary in 1960. Mrs. Brownlie preceded him in death on Feb. 28, 1965.

He is survived by four children, Robert C. of Prescott, Arizona, Mrs. George M. Hauser of Winterset, Mrs. A. C. Hindman of LaPorte City, Mrs. Robert D. Miller of Phoenix, Arizona, ten grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, a sister, Mrs. H. R. Dennis of Fairfax, nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held from the First United Presbyterian church at 10 a.m., Sept. 17, in charge of the pastor the Rev. John Fink and the committal services at the Fairfax cemetery in the family plot.