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         CAPT. WILLIAM P. BROWN, deceased, was born in Kentucky, Oct. 25, 1793, and when a young man went to Jefferson County, Ind., where he made the acquaintance of Miss Alice C. Crawford, a relative of the Todds, of Kentucky, and a native of Rockbridge, Va., born April 20, 1797. The acquaintance there formed ripened into love, and they were united in marriage. The young couple began their domestic life in Jefferson County, where Mr. Brown developed a fine farm from heavy timber land, and in that section accumulated considerable property. In 1837 he emigrated to what is now Louisa County, crossing Illinois on horseback, and here entered a claim. In 1838 he again came to the county and built a log cabin, and in 1839 purchased his land at the land sales of Burlington. The following spring he moved his family to the county. After coming here Capt. Brown was always active in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community, and started the project of building a plank road to Burlington, and erected a bridge across Honey Creek at his own expense. He built the first school-house, in which church services were also held, and donated it to the public. He was elected and served as Justice of the Peace for many years, being known as Esquire Brown until his death, and was the first man to build on the east side of Virginia Grove. In the early days of the county there was a road laid out from Iowa City to Burlington, which Mr. Brown tried hard to get on the east side of the grove, but the Commissioners thought it best to be on the west side, as there was quite a settlement over there. Mr. Brown then took the matter in his hands, and secured the laying out of a road on the east side, which afterward became the main avenue of travel. Physically, Mr. Brown was a tall, powerful man, being over six feet high and weighing over 200 pounds, and his stature was only equaled by his generosity and liberality. Being very decided in his views, when once determining to carry out a thing he always accomplished it.

Mr. and Mrs. Brown were the parents of eight children, three of whom are living: James, whose home is in Morning Sun, Iowa; Maria, widow of Hamilton Brown, is a resident of Morning Sun Township; and Martha lives on the old homestead. Mr. Brown was a member of the Methodist Church, and his wife of the Presbyterian. His death occurred Jan. 28, 1865, Mrs. Brown survived until 1885. She lived through all the administrations from Washington to Cleveland.

The following is the record of the children of Capt. and Mrs. W. P. Brown: Thompson, born June 29, 1821, died Nov. 5, 1842; Thomas P., born May 26, 1823, died Feb. 20, 1856; James C., born April 14, 1825; Elizabeth A., born Oct. 25, 1830, died June 30, 1847; John, born Feb. 17, 1833, died April 7, 1842; Mary E., born Jan. 8, 1835, died Dec. 31, 1861; Martha, born Oct. 9, 1838.