John Brown (1911)

BROWN, HORNBECK, POWELL, WILKIE

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 8/17/2010 at 10:38:01

The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, April 13, 1911
Page 1

PIONEER ANSWERS FINAL SUMMONS

John Brown Dies at Age of 85. Had Resided Here for More Than Half a Century.

John Brown, one of Madison county’s pioneers and a highly respected citizen of this community, for more than fifty years, died at his home in Winterset on Monday. He had been gradually failing in health for some years and his death was the result of the gradual wearing out of the mechanism of the body.

He was born in Monroe county, Ohio, Jan. 8, 1826, and was the eldest of eleven children. He was of German descent and was reared in and during his life adhered to the Presbyterian church. In 1854 he came to this county and purchased 320 acres of land in Madison township. He afterwards sold this farm and located on one just south of the city limits. In 1884 he retired from the farm to spend the remainder of his days in Winterset.

He was married November 1, 1857 to Nancy M. Powell of Indiana, who survives him. To them was born a daughter, Olive, who died October 24, 1884, leaving one daughter, now Mrs. T. R Wilkie of this place, also one son by a second marriage.

Funeral services were conducted from the late home on Wednesday, by Rev. J. S. Corkey of the Presbyterian church and burial in the Winterset cemetery.
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The Winterset Reporter
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, April 13, 1911
Page 1, Column 3

Death of John Brown

John Brown was born in Morrow county, Ohio, Jan. 8, 1826, and died at his home in Winterset on Monday morning, April 10, 1911, in the 86th year of his life. He was a son of Jacob and Elizabeth Dillon Brown, and both families were of the German lineage. His father was a native of Pennsylvania, a farmer by occupation, and became one of the first settlers of Marrow county, Ohio. He served as an elder in the Presbyterian church for 40 years. In his family were eleven children, of whom only one daughter survives.

John Brown, the eldest son, was reared on a farm, and received his education in the common schools. He remained on the farm until 21 years of age, when he started out for himself.

In 1854 he came to Madison county, Iowa, and was one of the pioneers in Madison township, where he owned a 320 acre farm. He afterwards moved to Lincoln township, and bought a farm adjoining Winterset. About 27 years ago Mr. Brown moved to town, where he has since resided.

On Nov. 1st, 1857, he was united in marriage with Miss Nancy M. Powell, a native of Marion county, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Brown began their domestic life in a log cabin and lived in true pioneer style, afterwards building a stone house. One daughter, Olive, was born April 7, 1859. She died Oct. 29, 1884, leaving one daughter, Mrs. T. R. Wilkie, and one son, Gaylord Hornbeck.

Mr. Brown not only witnessed almost the entire growth and development of Madison county, but was an important factor in assisting to bring about the transfiguration. He was a self-made man, beginning life almost empty-handed—and by honest industry, perseverance and energy, assisted by his faithful wife, he acquired a comfortable fortune, and was able to spend the evening of life in ease.

Mr. Brown united with the Presbyterian church in 1876, and has always been a faithful member. He retained all the faculties of body and mind up to the last. He lived a pure life, in accordance with the laws of Heaven, and was granted 16 years of borrowed time. He was interested in everything that was good and noble. He was wishing to go, and was ready when the time came.

The funeral was held from the home Wednesday afternoon at two o’clock, conducted by the Rev. J. S. Corkey, and interment was made in the Rock City cemetery.

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Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
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