ORSON BROWN
Orson Brown came in September, 1856, and bought land of James Montgomery, on sections 13 and 15, on which he settled.
Orson Brown resides upon the northeast quarter of section 14. His farm comprises one hundred and twenty acres in that section. He also owns one hundred and twenty acres in section 13. He purchased his home farm of James Montgomery, in September, 1856, at which time he located here. Mr. Montgomery had made a few improvements, consisting of the erection of a log house and the breaking of sixty acres. Mr. Brown has a well improved farm. His present residence, which is among the best to be found in Benton township, was built in 1866, but additions have since been made. He hauled the lumber for building his house from Boonesborough and Des Moines, the trip requiring five days. He has in his orchard about two hundred and seventy-five bearing apple trees, twenty five cherry trees, and other varieties of fruit. Mr. Brown was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, January 1, 1824. His father, Luther Brown, removed to Indiana when Orson was about sixteen years of age, and settled in Steuben county, where he lived until his death. Orson Brown went overland to California in 1852, being just three months on the road between Council Bluffs and Placerville. He returned in 1856, and soon afterwards came to Cass county. His brother, Anson Brown, came here in 1854, and pre-empted several pieces of land. He settled on eighty acres, forty of which was in section 11, and the balance in section 13. Later, he removed to Atlantic township, thence to Missouri, and afterward to Ottawa, Kansas, where he still lives. Orson Brown has been twice married. His first wife was Jane Tilletson, who died here in 1870. His present wife, formerly Mrs. Jane (Wood) Brown, was born in Michigan, and came to this county in 1872. Mr. Brown had, by his first marriage, five children...Mary, wife of Cortes Taylor, of Sioux county; Ernest, living in this county; Rosetta, wife of Lewis Anderson, of Anita; Martha, in Sioux county, and Jane, at home. He lost two sons...William and Charles. Mrs. Brown has one son by her former marriage, Elmer.
Transcribed by Gloria Goltiani from "History of Cass County, Iowa. Together With Sketches of its Towns, Villages and Townships, Educational, Civil, Military and Political History: Portraits of Prominent Persons, and Biographies of Old Settlers and Representative Citizens." Springfield, Ill.: Continental Historical Company, 1884, pp. 638.
