Othaniel Brown

Othaniel Brown, a dealer in real estate, and a stockholder in a coal company of Albia, has been an important promoter of the business interests of this locality, especially in the development of the coal resources. He is recognized as one of the enterprising citizens, and occupies a leading position in business circles.

Mr. Brown was born in Madison county, New York, in the vicinity of Peterboro, September 10, 1833, and is a son of Othniel and Hannah (Elting) Brown. The father was born in Massachusetts, and his father, also named Othniel Brown, was a native of Massachusetts, and was of French descent. The Elting family originated in Holland, and Mrs. Brown was a native of Ulster county, New York. The father of our subject carried on agricultural pursuits, and both he and his wife spent the greater part of their lives on their farm in Madison county, New York. Their last days, however, were passed in Peterboro. They had a family of several children, one of whom, Wesley Brown, is an attorney at Hornellsville, New York. Edward d. is a resident of Wisconsin, and Everett resides at Peterboro. Helen I. and Annett both live at the old home in Peterboro.

The gentleman whose name introduces this sketch lived in his parents' home until eighteen years of age, aided in the labors of the farm, and attended the public schools of the neighborhood. He then went to Wisconsin, but subsequently returned to New York to look after his father's business. About this time he was united in marriage with Miss Martha McWilliams, daughter of Hugh McWilliams, of Peterboro.

Mr. Brown dates his residence in Iowa from 1867, at which time he took up his residence in Mt. Pleasant, owning a farm in Henry county. To its development and cultivation he devoted his energies until the spring of 1869, when he came to Albia, and entered into mercantile business, which he continued for about three years, then sold out. His next venture was in the line of milling. He purchased the Albia City Flouring Mills, which he operated for three years, and at the same time was interested in coal mining. He was among the first to organize a coal company for the purpose of developing the coal fields in Monroe county. Withdrawing from the first company he aided in the organization of the Enterprise Coal Company, and has since been the general manager and has paid for labor and material over one million dollars in the last ten years, showing how valuable an enterprise this is for Monroe county. The company own and lease a tract of 350 acres which is underlaid with coal, the veins ranging from three to seven feet. They supplied coal to the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad until it developed mines of its own in the same district.

Mr. and Mrs. Brown have a family of three children, two sons and a daughter: Everett W., who is buyer for the firm of Marshall Field & Company, of Chicago; Mabel C., wife of W. J. O. Bowles, of Albia; and Ralph O., a student in the State University, of Iowa City. The home of the family is a large, substantial and pleasant residence, wherein hospitality abounds, and the friends of the family are many. In his business Mr. Brown has won success. With a mind to plan and will to execute he has carried forward several undertakings to successful completion, and by his careful management, his foresight, and his indomitable perseverance he has gained a comfortable competence.