Brown, James H. (1893-1966)

BROWN

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/17/2021 at 21:59:13

Source: History of Warren County, Iowa, by Gerard Schultz and Don L. Berry, The Record and Tribune Co., Indianola, Iowa, 1953, p.290

JAMES HERMAN BROWN (Nov 10, 1893 - 1966)
J. H. Brown, farmer of Indianola, was born at Hartford Nov. 10, 1893, the son of James Franklin and Margaret (Freel) Brown. Mr. Brown is a descendant of well-known pioneer families of Warren County. He is a great-grandson of James and Margaret (Long) Brown, who moved from Piqua, Ohio, to Richland township, Warren County, during the early pioneer period. He is also a great-grandson of Samuel Benoni Freel, who came to Warren County from Indiana in 1848. His paternal grandparents were William F. and Rachel (Viers) Brown of Hartford, and his maternal grandparentswere James and Louisa (Moore) Freel, who also came to this county in 1848. His great-great-grandparents were James and Martha (Summers) Brown of Piqua, Ohio.
Mr. Brown was born and raised on the same farm his great-grandfather Brown purchased in 1853, and he lived on this farm until 1946, when he moved to Indianola. The farm is now owned by the eldest brother, William M. Brown, who represents the fourth generation living and owning this farm. A younger brother, Frank A. Brown, lives in Santa Maria, Calif., where he is manager of the Standard Oil company of that city.
Dec. 1, 1915, J. H. Brown married Bessie Ann Goodale, daughter of Doran Joseph and Ida Viola (Reed) Goodale. Mrs. Brown was born at Indianola May 21, 1894. The Browns have two daughters: Florence Agnes, born Nov. 24, 1919; Viola Margaret, born Jan. 15, 1930. Florence Agnes Brown married Carl Max Ashbaugh of Indianola Oct. 3, 1945. Their children are: Jane Ann, born Nov. 18, 1946; Patricia Sue, born Oct. 7, 1949; James Carl, born Feb. 11, 1952. Viola Margaret Brown married Layton Anderson of Buffalo, N. Y., Aug. 14, 1949.
For 14 years J. H. Brown was a member of the Hartford Consolidated school board. For a number of years he served as committeeman for the Agricultural Adjustment administration. D u r i n g World War II he was a member of the Warren County Transportation committee. As the Brown family has always been interested in good livestock, he developed one of the highest producing herds of Holstein cattle in the state. Mr. Brown has been a member of the Des Moines Cooperative dairy since 1927. He owns a farm in Warren County and one in Hardin county. Mr. Brown is a Methodist, Republican, and is fraternally affiliated with the Masonic order, including the Des Moines Consistory. He holds the 32nd degree in the Masonic order. The Brown home is at 305 North Howard street, Indianola.