Martin Brown (1858-1937)

BROWN, SHELDAHL, BERHOW, JORGENSON, NESLUND, GRANSETH, LEWIS

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 6/8/2022 at 19:22:52

From Nevada Evening Journal November 2, 1937 (page 3)

Held Funeral Services for Palestine Pioneer

Special to the Journal
Slater, Nov. 2--Funeral services for Martin Brown held Sunday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock at the home and 2 o'clock at the Bethlehem church. The services were in charge of Rev. E. R. Rorem assisted by Rev. P. Buland of Cambridge, who spoke in the Norwegian language. Many beautiful floral offerings covered the casket. A solo, "In the Garden" was sung by a great-grandson, Wayne Cole, a duet, "No Disappointment in Heaven," Homer and Arlene Lewis; solo, "Den Store Hvide Flok" by Walter Christopher; "The Old Rugged Cross" was sung by a mixed quartette of Mr. and Mrs. Randolph Peterson of Sheldahl, Mrs. M. S. Heggen and Andrew Maland.

Six of the grandsons served as pall bearers, Milo Jorgenson of Des Moines, Kermit Granseth, Truman Brown, Melvin Brown, Vernon Brown and John Brown.

A number of different groups gave sums of money to the Missions in memory of Mr. Brown.

Burial was made in the Bethlehem cemetery.

Martin Brown was born in Stavanger, Norway and died at his home here, October 27, 1937, at the age of 79 years, 4 months and 17 days. His parents were John and Anna Marie Brown. He came to America when 15 years old and made his home with his sister, Mrs. Rasmus Lewis near Cambridge. His marriage to Inger Sheldahl took place in 1875 and they made their home on a farm near the Palestine church for several years. Later they moved to farm northwest of Slater and continued to make it their home. Ten children were born to this union. Three of them passed away. His wife died in October 1896.

His second marriage took place in 1898 to Martha Berhow. One child, Arthur was born to this union. He died in 1934.

He is survived by his aged wife and seven children Ed Brown of Ames, Mrs. Anna Jorgenson and Mrs. Eloise Neslund of Des Moines, Mrs. Margaret Granseth, Miss Marie Brown, Ossey and Milford Brown of Slater.

Among the relatives present from out of town were Mrs. Brown's sister, Mrs. Helen Johnson of Des Moines; Mr. and Mrs. A. Jorgenson, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Eckels, Milo Jorgenson, Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Hartgra, Mr. and Mrs. C. O. Neslund and daughters Lois and Phyllis, Mrs. Johnson and son Paul and Miss Carrie Larson all from Des Moines, Ed Brown of Ames, Mr. and Mrs. John Erickson, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Freeland, Miss Carrie Lewis and Mrs. Jones Lewis of Cambridge.

SUBMITTER'S NOTE: The Nevada Evening Journal, October 27, 1937 (page 1) states: "Born in Stavanger, Norway, June 9, 1858, Brown left his native country to come to Story county when he was 18. In 1875 he married Inger Sheldahl by whom he had nine children two of whom preceded him in death. After the death of his first wife Brown married Martha Berhow in 1896. Their son Arthur preceded his father in death."

That article also stated he died October 27, 1937. Either the age in the above November 2, 1937 obituary is incorrect or the date of birth in the October 27, 1937 article is incorrect.