WILLIAM T. BROWN.

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         William T. Brown, who has been engaged in the drug business in Columbus Junction for nineteen years, was born in Columbus City, Iowa, on the 16th of January, 1866. He is a son of the late Dr. I. C. and Ruth Ann (Hamlet) Brown, natives of Philadelphia, Tennessee, and Plainfield, Indiana, respectively. The father passed away in 1900, at the age of sixty-five years, and the mother survived him until 1909, her demise occurring in October, that year. Dr. Brown attended Maryville College, Tennessee, and was graduated from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He practiced one year at Philadelphia, Tennessee, but in the spring of 1863 he removed to Danville, Indiana, where he was married, and in January, 1864, removed to Columbus City, Iowa, where he practiced for two years and then removed to Old Clifton. . . .

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. . . After residing there for ten years he came to Columbus Junction, where he remained until his demise. In his family were four children, one daughter and three sons, in order of birth as follows: Octavia Jane, who became the wife of W. F. Hall, of Columbus Junction; William Thomas, our subject; Harry L., who is engaged in the drug business in Des Moines, Iowa; and Hadley S., a graduate of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Chicago, who is now engaged in the practice of medicine in Oklahoma.

         The education of William T. Brown, which was begun in the schools of Columbus City, was completed in the high school of Columbus Junction. At the age of eighteen years he began his business career by accepting a position on the railroad and for seven years thereafter he continued to be identified with that vocation. In 1892 he became associated with his brother, H. L. Brown, and W. F. Hall in the drug business at Columbus Junction. This partnership existed for three years, at the expiration of which period Brown Brothers bought out the interest of Mr. Hall, and in 1903 our subject became sole proprietor and since continued the business alone. He has met with very good success in his undertaking and now owns one of the finest stores in the town and enjoys an excellent patronage.

         Mr. Brown was united in marriage on the 27th of April, 1893, to Miss Bina Barringer, a daughter of S. E. and Mary (Stark) Barringer. Her father has passed away but her mother is still living and continues to make her home in Columbus Junction. Mr. and Mrs. Barringer had three daughters, as follows: Blanche, the deceased wife of Alvin Simons; Belle, who became the wife of Ab Sherridan, of Columbus Junction; and Bina, now Mrs. Brown. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have two sons and two daughters, as follows: Egbert DeWayne, who was born on the 15th of June, 1894; Helen Lenore, born on the 20th of December, 1895; Ruth Ann, whose birth occurred on the 15th of February, 1898; and William Thomas, Jr., who was born on the 16th of July, 1901.

         Fraternally Mr. Brown is affiliated with the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. His political support he gives to the republican party and despite the exactions of a large business he has time to share the responsibilities of municipal government. He served two years as town clerk. Energetic and progressive in his business methods, public-spirited in his citizenship, and loyal in his private relations, Mr. Brown is one of the highly esteemed men of Columbus Junction.