Brown, William Gates - 1858-1935

BROWN, WATSON, PREW

Posted By: Linda Vander Linden - Volunteer (email)
Date: 2/12/2011 at 11:42:23

The sudden death of W. G. Brown, which occurred at his home in Paullina Thanksgiving afternoon from heart failure, was a shock to his many friends and acquaintances here as he had been enjoying his usual good health.

Funeral services were held Monday afternoon from his home and at the Presbyterian church in Paullina with Rev. W. R. Clyde, Jr. in charge, assisted by Rev. J. S. Brown of Marengo, Ill., a nephew of the deceased. His remains were brought to Ireton and interment was made inthe family plot in Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Six of his nephews, Will Brown, Jr.; Wallace Brown, Harry Brown, Arlo Brown, Lee Kline and James Weston, were pall bearers.

William Gates Brown was born Feb. 18, 1858, on a farm near Glade Mills, PA. He was a son of John and Margaret Prew Brown and was one of a family of ten children. For several years he lived on a farm near Allegheny City, PA. In 1877 he moved with his parents to Tama County, Iowa, where on Nov. 24, 1881, he married Agnes Watson. He farmed in Tama County until 1887 when he moved to Sioux County and for years he farmed near Ireton. His wife passed away in 1913 while he still resided here. A year later he retired from the farm and moved to Ireton and built a fine home, which is now the home of Mr. & Mrs. E. L.Morrison. Four years later, in 1917, he and his daughter Margaret, who has all these years since the death of Mrs. Brown kept house for him and looked after his comforts so well, moved to Paullina and he built a home there and made his home at that place continuously since that time.

Mr. Brown was a Christian gentleman and outside of his home, his church came uppermost. When in Tama County he led the music in the Amity United Presbyterian Church and when he came to this vicinity he aligned himself with the United Presbyterian church of which he was an elder for a number of year. When the Presbyterian church was organized and built he became one of the strong dependable members and when he moved to Paullina he was the same steadfast worker in church and Sabbath school and for many years one of its elders.

He is survived by three daughters; Miss Margaret Brown of Paullina; Mrs. Edith Etewart, Winlock, Wash.; and Mrs. Elizabeth Hoyt, Dodgeville, Wis. He also leaves four grandchildren and one great grandchild. There is one sister, Mrs. John Kline, Gladbrook, Iowa, and three brothers, Alex and Robert Brown of Paullina and George Brown of Ireton.

Source: Hawarden Independent, December 5, 1935