Mrs. Elizabeth F. (GIBBONEY) BROWN, daughter of Benjamin and Margaret (KENDALL) GIBBONEY, and sister of Francis E. GIBBONEY, of Riley Township, was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, March 18, 1822. Two years later her parents settled in Licking County, Ohio.

She was married March 25, 1840, to Nicholas T. BROWN, who was born in Boone County, Kentucky, January 6, 1820. They commenced their early life in Ohio, but later became early settlers of Louisa County, Iowa, where the energy and talent of Mrs. BROWN soon placed him among the foremost of its citizens. He was prominent in political, social and business circles, and lived a life of great usefulness. He was elected by the Republican party to represent his district in the State Legislature, and died at Des Moines, April 1, 1866, during the session.

He left his widow greatly bereaved, with a family of eight children - Basil, now of Decatur County; Mrs. Margaret SKINNER, of Ringgold County; William H., of Ruth County, Nebraska; John N., of Riley Township; Asa W., of Vigo County, Indiana; George L., of Butte County, California; Oscar and Joseph A., of Mono County, California.

John N. was the eldest child at home, and after the death of the father he took charge of his mother's property. In 1869 he came to Ringgold County and bought a home on section 10, Riley Township, where they lived together until after his marriage, when he made a separate home for himself.

Mrs. BROWNS's homestead contains eighty acres of good land, and in addition to this she owns twenty-two acres of timber land.

John N. BROWN was married April 21, 1872, to Mary E. MOULTON, and has six children - Edgar A., Perry O., Lenora, Ora O., Effie Belle and Jacob. He owns a fine farm of 565 acres, and is one of the active business men of the township. He is a leading member of the Christian church.

NOTE: Elizabeth F. (GIBBONEY) BROWN died at the age of 76 years, 9 months and 16 days on January 4, 1899, and was interred at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa.

SOURCES:
Biography & Historical Record of Ringgold County, Iowa, Pp. 260-61, 1887.

WPA Graves Survey

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2009

Biographical Sketches Pages Index: A - F,   G - L,   M - R,  S - Z