Brown, H. D. 1861 - 1953

BROWN, HEILMAN

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 11/24/2024 at 14:01:38

Clayton County Register, 26 Feb. 1953.

Funeral services for H. D. Brown, 91, one of Elkader's oldest citizens, was held at the Congregational Christian church this afternoon (Thursday) at 2 o'clock. The Rev. Will Richards officiated. Burial was in the East Side cemetery.

A Masonic service was held at the Witt funeral chapel at 8 o'clock Wednesday evening.

Mr. Brown suffered a stroke early in December and was taken to a Forest City hospital where his son, Dr. D. H. Brown, is a member of the staff. Mr. Brown died late Monday evening, Feb. 23, 1953.

Mr. Brown was born at McGregor June 24, 1861, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Mathias Brown. He received his early education in the McGregor public school but at the age 13 he was obliged to give up his studies and began making his own way in the world. In 1877 he, together with his brother, went to Minnesota where he was employed on the Kendall farm and later in the railroad shops at Sanborn, Iowa.

Abandoning railroading as a business he returned to McGregor in 1882 where he took up the tinner's trade. Engaged in that work until 1884, he spent two years in McGregor and three in Elkader. At the end of that time he entered into business for himself, opening a hardware store in Elkader, and later was in partnership with Frank Hodges and John Bahr respectively. They conducted the store until 1917 when they sold out. Mr. Brown then attended school in Missouri where he learned the art of massage, which he practiced until retiring in 1945.

He married Emma Heilman of McGregor May 11, 1886. They were privileged to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary May 11, 1936. Mrs. Brown died Jan. 30, 1948.

Mr. Brown was a member of the Elkader town council for about 16 years and gave 25 years of his time to the development of the local schools as a member of the board of education.

He was a member of the Northeast Iowa Masonic Fellowship, and a 60 year member of the Elkader Masonic Lodge. He was also a thirty-second degree member of the Ancient Order of Scottish Rite, and honorary granddad of the Order of Rainbow for Girls.

He was a member of the Congregational Christian church and was a deacon for many years.

His hobby was writing poetry. He had composed 200 poems in his lifetime, including two books. One book "Poems and Songs," was published.

He is survived by one son, Dr. D. H. Brown, M.D., of Forest City; one sister, Mrs. Alma Heilman, Medford, Ore.; one grandson, Corp. Douglas G. Brown, White Sands, N.M.

Preceding him in death besides his wife was a daughter, Hazel, who died at the age of 8, and an adopted daughter, Flora, who died at the age of 10, also two children who died in infancy.

Pallbearers were: Frank Speck, L.C. Lenth, Chas. Meder, John W. Downie, A. H. Johnson and Richard Wolf.