Solomon BROWN, b. 1855, d. 1926
Solomon Brown, an active, energetic and
successful farmer living on section 10, White
Oak township, where he owns and operates one
hundred and fifty-nine acres of arable land, was
born upon this farm September 26, 1855--a
fact which indicates that he is a representative
of one of the pioneer families of the county.
His father, Jonathan Brown, was a native of
Morgan county, Ohio, and was reared in
Marion county, that state, where he resided until
after he had attained his majority. He was
there married to Miss Elizabeth Reed in 1852.
The lady was a native of Delaware and a
daughter of Job Reed, who was likewise born
in Delaware, whence he removed with his
family to Marion county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs.
Jonathan Brown followed farming in Ohio and
in the second year after their marriage came to
Iowa, where he purchased one hundred and
nineteen acres of land and also entered from
the government forty acres more. It was
entirely wild and unimproved and he at once
began to clear and cultivate the place. He had
to perform the arduous task of breaking the
sod and preparing the land for cultivation, but
in the course of time he had transformed the
tract into richly cultivated fields. He built
thereon a good house and barn, also substantial outbuildings and
developed a neat and valuable property, being recognized as one
of the enterprising agriculturists of the community. Unto Mr.
and Mrs. Brown were born nine children, of whom three died in
infancy. The eldest is Nancy, the wife T. J. Shipley,
a resident of Keokuk county, Iowa. Solomon is the next
of the family. J. L is living in Rose Hill, where he is conducting a
hardware store. Alice is the wife of C. I. Ellis. Sarah is the wife,
of C. L. Vanlaninghan, a popular merchant of Rose Hill. William is
at home. The father of this family departed this life in 1885, at the
age of fifty-seven years. The mother, however, is still living in her
seventy-fifth year and makes her home with her sons, Solomon and William.
Upon the old homestead farm Solomon Brown was reared and in the
public schools of the neighborhood acquired his education. In his youth
he aided in the work of the fields and since his father's death he has
operated the farm upon which he has always lived with the exception of a
period of two years from 1898 until 1900, when he resided in Oskaloosa,
filling the office of deputy sheriff. He has a well kept farm and raises
some stock. He also keeps high bred Plymouth Rock chickens and the breeding
of those fowls adds not a little to his income. In all of his business
interests he is active and enterprising, and his labors are attended
with a measure success which shows that his work is of a practical
nature. He attends the Methodist Episcopal church of which his mother is a
member. His political allegiance is given to the democracy, and while
never seeking office, he supports the men and measures of the party.
The only positions he has
ever filled are those of deputy sheriff and constable,
acting in the latter capacity in White Oak township for seven years.
He finds ample incentive for the exercise of his talents and energies
in his business affairs and has come to be recognized as one of the substantial
farmers of the county.
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from Past and Present of Mahaska County, Iowa by Manoah Hedge
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1906
Past and Present of Mahaska County, Iowa
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy
Iowa Genealogy
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