Brown, John 1831-1915

BROWN, MILLER

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/30/2015 at 18:44:54

Note: He is buried in Le Mars Memorial Cemetery.

PASSING OF A PIONEER

JOHN BROWN WAS FOUND DEAD IN YARD AT HIS HOME

STRICKEN SUDDENLY BY DEATH

Deceased Had Lived In Plymouth County For The Past Thirty Years And Was Known As A Good And Honorable Citizen

John Brown, for more than thirty years a resident of Plymouth County, was found dead in the yard at his home near the Shearon crossing two and a half miles southwest of town about ten o'clock on Tuesday night, Mr. Brown had been apparently in his usual good health up to the time of his death.

During the evening after supper Mr. Brown went out of doors. At his usual bed time his son, George, who resided with him, wondering at his father's long absence, went out to look for him and went across to a neighbor's Wm. McKetterick, to see if his father was there. Not finding the old gentlemen there, he and Mr McKetterick instituted a search around the premises at the Brown place and found the lifeless body of Mr. Brown in an outhouse. Medical aid was summoned but was not required as the man had evidently been dead for some time. His death was due to heart failure.

Mr. Brown was of an unusually hearty and rugged constitution and it was only a few days ago that he was in town with a load of hay which in unloading he handled with all the ease and strength of a young man, although past the age of four score years.

John Brown was born on November 12, 1831, near Hagerstown, Maryland. here he attended school, worked on a farm and grew to man's estate. When twenty-one years of age he moved to Carroll County, Illinois, where he lived for many years, following his avocation of farming.

He was united in marriage in Carroll county with Miss Sarah E. Miller in 1855. The enjoyed a long and happy wedded life until her death which occurred on August 2, 1911. To their union five sons were born, George N. Brown, residing on the home place; O. C. Brown, a banker at Hinton; B. L. Brown, of Washington Township; C. P. Brown, of Newell, Iowa.

Another son, J. F. Brown, of Huron, S. D, died a year or two ago.

There are eight grandchidren and six great-grandchildren.

Mr. and Mrs. Brown came to Plymouth County in 1884 and purchased what is now the A. Hilger farm near the Redmon School House. They greatly improved the place and erected a house and a number of other fine buildings on the premises. Later Mr. Brown purchased the old Weir farm adjoning town on the west side and some years ago sold a part of his holdings retaining the land where he built a new house and farm buildings, where he lived of late years and up to the time of his death.

Mr. Brown was a farmer of ability and resources and one who kept his place in good order and cultivated his land to advantage as regards profit both to the owner and to the soil. He was accustomed to hard work and from the age of thirteen to the day of his death toiled at his avocation through all the varied seasons. He was of a sturdy race went to wrestle its substance from the earth and which asked no favors and made no complaints.

Mr. Brown was a man of deep integrity, honest as the day, loyal to his beliefs. although of a quiet and rather reserved disposition he was a warm friend and good neighbor. In his death his sons have lost a good father and the community a worthy citizen.

The funeral will be held this afternoon at the home in America township.

Le Mars Semi-Weekly Sentinel
Friday, July 9, 1915
Le Mars Iowa