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 DWIN W. BROWN, one of the successful farmers and stock-raisers of Ashmore Township, residing on section 11, was born July 4, 1855, in this township. His parents were William H. and Emily (Buck) Brown, natives of New York. William H. Brown was born in Onandaga County, N. Y., March 23, 1813. His parents moved to Kentucky when he was about four years of age, but not feeling satisfied there came to Lawrence County, Ill., a few years later. In 1825 they changed their location to Edgar County, Ill., and William H. was a mere boy when he assisted in building their log cabin out on the broad, lonely prairie, covered with long, rank grass and brilliant wild flowers, and scantily populated except by deer and wolves. He afterward became one of the early pioneers of this township, having come here in about the year 1839. Nov. 4, 1835, he was married to Miss Elizabeth McGahin. She was of Irish descent, and a native of Clark County, Ill., but their married life was of brief duration, the beloved wife and mother being taken from her home by death in 1838, at the age of twenty-five, leaving one son, William, born Jan. 10, 1837. When the smouldering flames of the Civil War broke out, this son, then grown to manhood, enlisted in the service of his country as Orderly Sergeant, and was killed Sept. 11, 1863, near Little Rock, Ark. June 13, 1839, William H. Brown was united in marriage the second time, to a widow lady, Mrs. Emily (Olmstead) Buck. The following is the record of their family: John, Elizabeth; Harriet, who married James Bull; George W., who died at the age of seventeen; Charles F., who married Miss Elizabeth Timmons; Emma A., who died at the age of nineteen; James H.; Edwin W., who is the subject of this biography, and Francis A., who married Miss Maggie Myers. John, the first born of this family, also served in the Civil War, and although his life did not fall a sacrifice, he has since suffered severely from disease contracted while in the army, and is now at Saylor Springs for his health. Mrs. William H. Brown died in October, 1886. She was a member of the Baptist Church, and was greatly beloved by her family and a large circle of friends. William H. Brown has always been much interested in promoting the growth of the township. He has held the offices of School Director and Road Commissioner for fifteen years. He has been for many years a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and has held several official positions in the organization. Edwin W. Brown, while a boy, attended the common schools of the county, and afterward finished his education at Westfield College. Dec. 28, 1881, he was married to Miss Alice Reinoehl, a native of Illinois, born in 1862, and the daughter of George and Henrietta Reinoehl. Her parents, both living, are natives of Pennsylvania. Her father is a carpenter and joiner by trade. The names of their children are: Clinton, who married Miss Mattie Sutherland; Alice, the wife of Edwin Brown; Emma, Charles and Lulu. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have two bright little girls, Vivian May and Henrietta F., who resemble their mother. Mr. Brown is the owner of a fine farm comprising 100 acres of valuable land, on which there is a spring of living water, which renders it especially adapted to stock-raising, and is well stocked with high grades of cattle. He has a pleasant farm residence erected in 1881. Mr. Brown and his wife are members of the United Brethren Church. In politics he has always been a Republican, but is a Prohibitionist on the temperance question. |
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