Biographies
For
Muscatine County Iowa
1889



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 242

THOMAS M. BROWN, a farmer residing on section 34, Cedar Township, is an honored pioneer of Muscatine County, and probably no one has done more toward building up its early industries than he, and his support has always been given to any enterprise which has for its object the public welfare. Mr. Brown was born in Indiana, Dec. 14, 1832, and is a son of Matthew and Julia ( Brummage ) Brown, who had a family of seven children, namely: J. Leander, who is now living in Louisa County, Iowa; Emily S., widow of William H. Marshall, is living in Jackson County, Wis.; Thomas M., of this sketch; Hugh P., whose home is in Muscatine County; N. J., who is living in Dallas County, Iowa; Mary E., who died at the age of ten years, in 1852, with the cholera; Oliver B., who died in 1852, at the age of eight.

Matthew Brown was a farmer, and followed that occupation in Indiana. In connection with his father, Col. Thomas Brown, he made a contract with the Government to survey the tract of land known as the Black Hawk Purchase. In 1835, he began the work, laying the land off in townships, and the following year the survey was completed. Being pleased with the location, Mr. Brown decided to move his family, and in that year, when our subject was but five years old, located permanently in what is Muscatine County, Iowa, but then formed a part of the Territory of Wisconsin. A tract of eighty-four acres was entered in the name of Mrs. Brown, and there the family lived in true pioneer style. For two or three years their home consisted of a little cabin built of logs, the chinks of which were not even filled with mortar, and there was no fireplace, the chilling winter winds sweeping through the little cabin, which did not even have the protection of trees to break the force of the wind. For the first two years after their arrival the breadstuff which the family had was ground by Mr. Brown in a coffee-mill. Indians were very numerous in the locality, the settlements were miles apart, and many long days elapsed when the family did not see the friendly face of a white man. In the month of June, 1842, Mr. Brown was called to his final rest.

Remaining at home with his mother until he was thirteen years of age, our subject then went to Wisconsin, where he secured employment on Black River, in a pinery. At first he received but $5 per month for his labors, but by his efficient skill he gradually won higher wages, until he obtained a position as foreman of a water sawmill, receiving $100 per month. He followed this line of work until he was twenty years of age, giving all his earnings, except a little, which he needed to supply his limited wants, to his widowed mother for her support and the support of the younger children of the family. Returning home in 1852, he engaged as foreman of a sawmill, situated on the present site of Columbus Junction, owned by Wheelock & Schmeltzer, receiving $80 per month. Remaining in their employ for about a year, he then rented the mill, which he operated for one year, after which he made a contract for the erection of a railroad bridge, the first that was ever built across the Iowa River. He sawed ever stick of timber for that bridge, which was built by the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, receiving seventy-six cents per hundred feet, board measure.

On the 3d day of July, 1856, Mr. Brown was united in marriage with Miss Sophia Ferry, daughter of Silas and Flavia ( French ) Ferry, who emigrated to this county in 1838, coming from New York. They were the parents of six children: Edward L., who is now living in Kansas; Sophia; Henry S., a resident of Dakota; Sarah P., wife of John Hefner, a resident of Guthrie County, Iowa; Vesta E., who wedded N. J. Brown, of Dallas County, Iowa; Flavia E., wife of Josiah Ballier, whose home is in Missouri. The death of Mrs. Ferry occurred in Burlington, Iowa, in 1852, when forty-five years of age. Mr. Ferry was shot in Muscatine by David Prosser. It is supposed that the two men were arguing over politics, and when Mr. Ferry started to his home, Prosser, who was under the influence of liquor, followed, and shot him. Prosser was fined $500, which amount the Sheriff raised within two hours. This occurred in 1863, when Mr. Ferry was sixty years of age.

Mr. and Mrs. Brown are the parents of nine children, two of whom died in childhood: Edwin B., born May 31, 1857, is the husband of Annie Dilldine, and is now living in Grand Junction, Colo.; Horace F., born April 11, 1863, is the husband of Minnie Johnson, of Lettsville, and is now at home; Myra, wife of Lewis Norris, was born May 15, 1866, and now resides in Grand Junction, Colo.; Julia E., born Feb.12, 1868, wedded Jacob E. Norris, of Muscatine County; Hugh F., born Aug,20, 1874; Vesta, Dec,21, 1877, and Lucius A., Feb. 26, 1879.

After his marriage Mr. Brown left the mill at Columbus Junction, and removed to a farm in Cedar Township, where he remained for a year, during which time he lost all that he had made while engaged in operating the mill. He then removed to Lord's Ferry, where he operated the boat for five years, when prompted by duty and patriotism, he enlisted in the service of his country, while his noble wife continued the management of the ferry for a year and a half. Entering the service Aug. 15, 1862, he was assigned to Company F, 35th Iowa Infantry, and on the 27th of August was appointed First Sergeant. He participated in the following battles: The first and second battles of Jackson, Miss., the siege of Vicksburg, the entire Red River expedition, the battle of Tupelo, after which he started from Bluffs, Ark., with the command, following the rebel General, Price, to Santa Fe, Kan., the route followed being so circuitous that the army traveled over 2,000 miles. After the surrender of Vicksburg he was under the command of Gen. A. J. Smith, and participated in the battle of Nashville, where Hood was defeated, the capture of Mobile, and the battle of Spanish Fort, where he was wounded, and for three months could not take a step. His first attempt to walk was on the day after the assassination of President Lincoln, when he almost crawled out to see a newspaper. Joining the command at Selma, Ala., he was subsequently detailed to the Blue Mountains, whence he was ordered home, being discharged at Davenport, Aug. 29, 1865.

After his return home Mr. Brown again worked in a sawmill for two summers, when he leased the farm belonging to R. Lord, which he now owns. For five years he continued to rent, when he purchased the farm, comprising 240 acres, for which he paid $9,220. He has the entire management of the land, and carries on general farming and stock-raising, shipping annually from fifty to 100 head of hogs, sells cattle directly to shippers, and also gives some attention to the raising of horses, having about twenty head upon his farm. No man is more widely known throughout the county than Mr. Brown, and his untiring efforts in behalf of the advancement of the community and its interests deserve the heartfelt thanks of the entire people. The story of his pioneer days in the county would be one of thrilling interest to the youths of the present day, who cannot dream of, much less realize, the trials and hardships, and also the attendant pleasures of frontier life. With ready hand and willing heart he assisted in the cultivation of the land, and aided in the building up of many of the industries of the county. His sketch deserves a prominent place in this work, and will be read by many with the greatest pleasure.


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