James F. Brown (1832-1922)

BROWN, SMILEY, DOOLITTLE

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 6/4/2024 at 16:31:12

From Story City Herald February 2, 1922 (page 1)

PASSING OF OLDTIME PIONEER

Obituary

James F. Brown born near Meadville, Pennsylvania, Dec. 8, 1832; died January 26, 1922, age 89 years, 1 month, 18 days.

Came to Iowa in 1855 he and his brother, walked from Cedar county to Story a distance of 150 miles--bought land at $1.25 and acre where he has since lived a period of nearly 67 years.

In his early life the country was new, settlers few and far between. No railroads or conveniences of an older country prevailed. His pioneer days were full of many hardships. Iowa's black virgin soil had never been tilled by man's hand. The work of building house and stables where no lumber could be bought timber scarce getting the land under cultivation was most strenuous. The first year found him in autumn with only a small shack--not plastered and otherwise illy prepared for a severe winter. His crops were poor and it was with difficulty he had enough to eat to sustain life. In this his trial were like those of the Pilgrim fathers in the early history of our country. Nevada, his nearest town Post Office, made up one half dozen log houses, 15 miles away. Many a time he has gone to Des Moines and Marshalltown to mill taking almost a whole week to make the trip.

In 1856 he returned to Pennsylvania, married Rebecca J. Smiley and to this union were born Orson S., agent for the Chicago Great Wester R. R., Lehigh, Iowa; George P., Charles J. both deceased; Mrs. R. L. Doolittle of Webster City, Iowa and Grant, his youngest son, on the old homestead. Dec. 16, 1913 his faithful wife, after an agreeable period of married bliss for 61 years, left this life of toil and care for the spirit land, at the age of 80 years, 10 months, 28 days.

For the past 60 years he had been a member of the Christian church. The Bible was his text book. He could repeat almost whole chapters from memory. he loved to read it and tell its truths to others. His word of honor was to him most precious. He would often say he wanted his word good as gold and gold good as wheat. Meaning his word was good as tho his name was written on paper.

No person or benevolence of worthy cause ever left him empty handed if they came to him for assistance. In his departing this life he is the last of the old pioneers in his neighborhood save Mrs. W. W. Doolittle, Peter Dickoph and Theodore Baldus who live not far away.

We bid adieu to his form of clay and have faith to believe we will meet again in that land where sorrow and tears are never known.