Brown, Calvin 1834 – 1901

BROWN, THOMAS, SMALLWOOD

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/19/2024 at 21:00:38

Source: Decorah Republican Sept. 12, 1901 P 6 C 3

OBITUARY.
Calvin Brown was born in Center Co., Pa., in March, 1834, and moved to Stephenson Co., Ill., with his parents when he was six years old. Here he grew to young manhood and learned the carpenter trade. About 1854 or 1855 he came to Winnesheik Co., Iowa, where he continued to work at his trade until the spring of 1861.
Upon the first call of Lincoln for volunteers to put down the rebellion, Mr. Brown enlisted and continued in the service until the close of the war. He was sworn in on the 8th of June, 1861, and became a member of Co. D, 3d Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He was in eight hard-fought battles besides many skirmishes of greater or less severity. Among the battles were Blue Mills, Shiloh, Corinth, Hatchie’s Bridge, Vicksburg, Jackson, Meridan and Atlanta. For two months he was in that horrid, death-dealing prison pen at Andersonville, when he was exchanged. He was with Sherman’s army in its march to the sea, and was on picket duty in sight of the rebel army when Johnson surrendered to Sherman. Indeed, it was from the rebel pickets that he first heard of Lee’s surrender and the close of the war. His informant added, “you will start home to-morrow,” which proved to be literally true. He was mustered out with the rank of second lieutenant in July, 1865. He was a brave and trusted soldier, carrying the flag for two years. A comrad says, “I never knew Calvin Brown to duck his head for a rebel bullet.”
In 1866 Mr. Brown went to Southwestern Missouri, where he worked at his trade. Here in 1869 he was married to Mary Ann Thomas, at Nevada. To them were born two children, B. O. Brown, now of Princeton, Minn., and William, who died in infancy. After living eight years in Missouri, on account of ill health he returned in Iowa, making his home in Decorah. In 1882 Mr. Brown was married to Mrs. Elizabeth Smallwood, who with the son mentioned above survives him. His health has been broken since he left the army. Camp, battle field and prison pen left their mark indellibly upon him, still he has been comfortable and able to perform light labor. It is about six weeks since he was last taken sick. Since that time he has gradually failed, though all was done for him that skill and kindness could do. He was released from his suffering on the afternoon of Wednesday, September 4.
A large number of relatives and friends besides his comrades, attended the funeral which was held at the house, on Friday afternoon. After a brief address by Rev. J. W. Allen, pastor of the Baptist church, the body, escorted by his comrads, and followed by a long procession was taken to the cemetery beyond the Russell school house, where he was buried with services conducted by Col. Hughes Post, G. A. R. Mr. Brown will be remembered as an upright citizen, and neighbor and a faithful husband and father. We would cherish his memory as one who stood in the defense of his country in her hour of imminent peril.

Transcriber’s Note: Find a Grave shows he is buried in the Russell Cemetery and was born March 31, 1834 and died September 4, 1901.

Russell Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen