Brownell, B. F.

BROWNELL, RICKEY, SHIPMAN

Posted By: Gary Norris (email)
Date: 12/1/2012 at 08:54:06

B. F. Brownell, who owns a productive farm of eighty acres in Grinnell township, is one of the well known residents of the county, having arrived here forty-four years ago. He is a native of Delaware county, New York, born March 29, 1832, and is a son of Benjamin Ferris and Jane (Rickey) Brownell, both of whom were born in New York state. The paternal grandfather was a patriot of the Revolutionary war. He was paid off in colonial money, which proved to be worthless, but he never regretted the part he took in the establishment of the great American republic. B. Ferris Brownell, the father of our subject, was by trade a blacksmith. He removed with his family in 1840 to Pike county, Illinois, and died in that state at the age of eight-four years, Mrs. Brownell being called away a week later. There were nine children in their family: Newton and Bela, both of whom are deceased; James; Jane; Wesley; B.F., of this review; Hector and Elbert, both deceased; and Caroline who is living in Pike county, Illinois.
B. F. Brownell received his early education in the subscription schools. He early learned the importance and value of labor, and after his marriage engaged in farming on his own account in Illinois. In 1867 he came to Iowa and cultivated a farm in Chester township, Poweshiek county, for twenty years. He then located on a place in Grinnell township, but after six years returned to Chester township, where he continued as a farmer for three years. At the end of that time he took up his residence at Lynnville, where he spent five years, after which he took up his present location, his farm yielding an income that enables him to live comfortably in his declining years. Formerly he gave considerable attention to raising shorthorn cattle and he also fed stock for the market. During recent years he has lived retired.
In 1855, in Pike county, Illinois, Mr. Brownell was married to Miss Jane Shipman, a daughter of Reuben Shipman, a well known farmer of the county. Five children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Brownell: Clarissa Jane, who is living at home; Caroline, who is now a widow, living in Washington township, and has two children, George and Jessie; George, who died in infancy; Curtis, now a blacksmith of Grinnell, who is married and has two children, Mary and Ruth; and Alice, who died in infancy. Mrs. Brownell died in 1895. She was a devoted wife and mother and her departure was deeply mourned by her husband and children and sincerely regretted by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
Mr. Brownell in religious belief adheres to the Methodist church. Having observed the evil effects of the liquor traffic he has given his political support to the prohibition party. He has now reached the venerable age of seventy-nine years and the labors of the farm have been delegated to younger men. Throughout his life he has been actuated by high and worthy aims, and he receives his reward in the esteem in which he is held by the entire community, of which he has so long been an honored resident.

History of Poweshiek County Iowa
- A Record of Settlement, Organizations, Progress and Achievement, Vol. II
written by Prof. L. F. Parker.
Published by The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., in 1911
Pages 214-215