Brown, Bertsel

BROWN, BRISTOW, ROWE, STINTON

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 3/2/2011 at 10:03:56

The Bertsel Brown Family In Review-1967
By: O. E. Fristad, Chairman of the Board
The First National Bank In LeMars

Mr. Bertsel Brown’s grandfather, the Reverend Jacob Brown, lived in Sabula, Iowa. In 1857 he married Mary Stinton, who came from Cambridgeshire, England. After a few years they moved to Johnson Township (Plymouth County, IA) and started pioneer farming. He served as the first minister of the Adaville Church and donated the land where the church still stands. A good number of Jacob Brown’s progeny still are registered and attend this church. Sixteen children were born to this family.

Bertsel’s father, Charles Brown, was born in Sabula, Iowa, in 1858, and moved with his parents to Johnson Township. In 1884 he married Edith Bristow, who migrated from London, England, at the age of six. The couple engaged in farming except for a few years leave in California. Edith’s father, Henry Bristow, was a sailor by profession and made nine voyages to the South Seas, serving on two of the voyages as First Mate. A copy of his Certificate of Service shows that each of these voyages by sailboat took from three to four years to complete a round trip. This is a long time by our standards to be away from home and family without communications.

The eight children born to the Charles Brown family are well known to most of us: Amy, Mrs. J.D. Tindall, lived just west of LeMars and is now deceased; Alice, Mrs. John Bryant, still lives on the Bryant home place; Mary Brown was the principal teacher at the Eastward School in Knoxville, Iowa, and is also deceased. Grant and Wesley Brown were both farmers and have passed away. Nelson served as a Navy man in World War II and is retired from farming. Elmer is also spending his gracious years now as a retired farmer.

Bertsel Brown married Ethel Rowe, daughter of Charlie and Hilda Erickson Rowe. He and his wife live and operate the attractive farmstead just across the road north of the Adaville church. Bertsel has a keen interest in community affairs. He is President of the Plymouth County REA Board, having served as a Director since 1942. He is President and Director of the Plymouth Farmers Mutual Insurance Company, and has served as Secretary and Director of NIPCO since 1950. He is also a Director and Inactive Vice President of our bank. As a farmer and livestock producer, businessman, active church member, a Mason and a Shriner, Bertsel’s many interests keep him a busy man.

Bertsel’s wife, Ethel, is of English-Swedish stock. Her paternal grandparents came here from Cornwall, England, and her maternal grandparents are of Swedish origin who homesteaded in Grant Township where Ethel’s mother was born. Her father was born in Plattsville, Wisconsin, and came to Plymouth County as a boy with his folks. Ethel contributes much of her time to church and community activities.

Bertsel Brown’s intimate touch with the feel and background of the people of our community make him invaluable as a director of this bank. His ability to see potential and guide others with sound management advice has been beneficial to many people. We of the First National Bank in LeMars appreciate his many fine contributions.
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Samuel Bertsel Brown
b. 22 Aug 1903
d. 17 Oct 1972

Bertsel's Obituary
 

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