Biographies
For
Muscatine County Iowa
1889



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 220

HUGH. P. BROWN,, who resides on section 2, Cedar Township, is one of the pioneer settlers of Muscatine County of 1837. He was born in Union County, Ind., Jan. 15, 1835, and is a son of Matthew and Julia (Brumage ) Brown. In connection with his father, Col. Thomas M. Brown, Matthew Brown was employed by the Government to survey the Black Hawk Purchase. He completed the survey in 1836, and, taking a fancy to the country, he removed his family to Muscatine County in 1837. In June, 1842, he was called to his final rest, leaving his loving companion to pursue life's journey alone with her seven small children, five of whom grew to maturity, and are now settled in good comfortable homes. In her declining years she can look back on a life well spent. While yet in her girlhood she united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has ever lived faithfully to the cause of her Master. She is now in her seventy-ninth year, and makes her home with her son Thomas M.

Our subject received his education in the district schools of this county, and assisted in the cultivation of the home farm, or worked as a farm laborer in the neighborhood, until his marriage, which occurred fifteen days before he reached his majority. The union was celebrated on the 31st of December, 1855, when he became the husband of Miss Nancy Jane Lee, a daughter of Richard and Nancy ( Ward ) Lee, who were the parents of eight children, viz: Elizabeth, wife of Timothy Hankins, of Muscatine County; John, who died in 1861; Fannie, wife of Lewis Hankins, of Ringgold County, Iowa; Nancy, wife of our subject; Robert, whose home is in Louisa County; James E., also a resident of Louisa County; Mary, wife of Hamon Stump, of Eagleville, Mo.; Susan, who wedded Willard Runalls, of Decatur County, Iowa. The death of Mrs. Lee occurred Nov. 28, 1853, at the age of forty-two years, preceding her husband to her final home many years, he dying Jan.18, 1888, at the age of eighty-nine years.

By the union of Mr. and Mrs. Brown four children have been born: Laura, born Oct. 16, 1856, is the wife of William M. Griffin, a resident of Muscatine County; Elnora, born Oct. 22, 1858, wedded Thomas E. Norris, of Lettsville, Iowa; Cordelia, wife of George W. Hankins, was born Nov.3, 1860, and resides in Cedar Township, and Guy N., born April 27, 1875, is still with his parents.

After his marriage Mr. Brown sold a 40-acre farm which he had previously purchased, buying a sawmill, which he operated for nine years. Selling the mill, he then bought the Lord Ferry, which had previously been owned by his brother, and for about nineteen years continued its operations, and, with the help of a hand, also engaged in farming. At the expiration of that long period he traded the ferry, paying some difference, for the farm which he now owns, comprising 476 acres. Upon this land was a little log cabin, in which Mr. Brown still makes his home, it being the oldest house in the county now occupied. He carries on general farming, having the entire management of his land, 100 acres of which he has under cultivation, the remainder being used as pasturage, upon which he raises considerable stock. He raises a great many hogs, from forty to fifty head of cattle annually, and also gives some attention to the breeding of horses, owning now about sixteen head and three mules. He is a Democrat in politics, and has served in several official positions, having been School Director for five years while at the ferry, and has also served as Township Trustee. He has witnessed many changes in the county, has seen almost its entire growth and development, and is numbered among the leading citizens of Cedar Township, being respected by all.


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