Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1915
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 732
ERMI J. BROWN

Among the well respected citizens of Woodbine, Harrison county, Iowa, is the gentleman whose name heads this biographical sketch. Emri J. BROWN was for many years actively engaged in agricultural circles in this vicinity, but some years ago retired from active labors and took up his residence in Woodbine, there to spend the remainder of his allotted span of years in quiet enjoyment. Additional honor is due him owing to the fact that he was one of the loyal sons of the Union when the crisis of the Civil War threatened to disrupt the nation, and gave to the cause three years of service. We of a younger generation in this peaceful land can hardly appreciate what sacrifice was represented in such an act. To lay aside all personal and private business, duties to family and friends, to lay one's life on the altar of patriotism, and to lose it if need be, this calls for a degree of heroism and sacrifice of the finest and highest order.

Mr. BROWN is a son of Horace T. and Alma (BARBER) BROWN and was born on May 29, 1840, in Caledonia, New York state. Both parents were born in that same locality and remained there until 1842. The father was engaged in farming all his life and in the year mentioned they left their native state and went to Michigan, settling in Lapeer county. There they remained but one year and not liking the location, removed to LaSalle county, Illinois. Remaining there but a short time, they then came to this state in 1848 and settled in Black Hawk county where they stayed for three years. They then found a better location in Clinton county and located about one-quarter mile southwest of Wheatland and remained there until the death of the father. The mother later moved to Shelby county, where she spent the rest of her life. They were the parents of five children, namely: Charles E., who resides in Nebraska; Horace T., a farmer in Oregon; M. A., a farmer in this state, residing near Harlan; Angenette, the only daughter and the youngest of the family, who died when sixteen years of age. The immediate subject of this sketch is the second child in order of birth.

When a youth, Mr. BROWN had very little opportunity for education, as the newly-opened localities in which his boyhood was passed did not at that time have school facilities of any importance. He remained with his parents until the time of his marriage in his twenty-second year. His bride, with whom he was united in marriage in 1867, was Mrs. Rachael A. (ALFORD) BROWN, born in New York state, a daughter of Linus and Fannie (ALEXANDER) ALFORD, the former a native of Vermont and the latter born and reared in New York. In 1840 the ALFORDs came westward, locating first in LaSalle county, Illinois, and later living in Clinton county, Iowa, and in this way the two young people met. Mr. ALFORD when a young man had mastered the trade of ship carpenter, at which he worked until coming west, after which time he gave his attention to farming. Mrs. ALFORD died in Clinton county, this state, and Mr. ALFORD in Harrison county. Mrs. BROWN was the widow of Harmon DIMMICK of New York, who died during the Civil War, while at the front. He was a member of Company H, Fifty-eighth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and his death occurred in 1864, while his company was at Montgomery, Alabama. By her first marriage Mrs. BROWN had one son, Charles H., who lives in Kansas, where he is engaged in farming. Mr. and Mrs. BROWN have one son, Albert L., who resides in Woodbine, where he is engaged in the real estate business and also gives considerable attention to farming interests. He married Florence ZIMMER and has two children, Harold and Gladys.

Following his marriage, Mr. BROWN remained in Clinton county for three years and then decided to try his fortune in Kansas. He located his family in Mitchell county, in the latter state, and there they remained for eleven years, he acquiring a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. In 1891 he returned to this state and settled in Harrison county, where he secured a small farm. He gradually added to his original holdings until he owned three hundred and two acres in Cass township. It was in 1903 that he disposed of his farm holdings and went to make his home in Woodbine. In addition to the house in which he lives, he owns ten acres of land in Boyer township. Mr. BROWN was unmarried when he enlisted in the army, early in the great civil struggle, and was a member of Company I, Twenty-sixth Regiment, Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He enlisted on August 3, 1862, at Wheatland and lacked but twenty days of completing his three years of service. He served under General Sherman and saw active service at the battles of Arkansas Post, Vicksburg and many other skirmishes. He is a member of Eaton Post No. 186, Grand Army of the Republic, and Mrs. BROWN is quite prominent in the work of the Woman's Relief Corps. Both are faithful members of the Presbyterian church and Mr. BROWN has been a life-long Republican. He has had an active life, full of duties and cares, and has always endeavored to discharge all responsibilities to the best of his ability. He has a wide acquaintance and is held in high regard by a large circle of friends.

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