Kentucky:  A History of the State, Battle, Perrin, & Kniffin, 3rd ed., 
1886. Allen County.

JOHN E. BROWN was born in Allen County Ky., November 4, 1841.  His 
father, Drury Denton Brown, was a Kentuckian by birth and grew to 
manhood in Allen County, where, in 1833, he married Sarah, daughter of 
Sketton Brown.  Her parents were natives of Virginia, from which State 
they emigrated, and were among the first settlers of Sumner County, 
Tenn.  She died about the year 1865, leaving a family of seven children, 
three of whom lived to be grown.  Drury Denton Brown spent his life in 
agricultural pursuits; he died in December, 1881, aged sixty-nine years.  
John E. is the fourth in the family by birth.  His early life was passed 
amid the scenes and labors incident to farm life; he received but little 
education at school, but with practical learning his mind is well 
stored.  He remained with his parents on the farm where he was born 
until he attained his twenty-second year.  On the 15th of October, 1863, 
he was united in marriage with Margaret, daughter of Alexander and 
Margaret Lyles, of Allen County, Ky.  Their union has been blessed with 
seven children:  Enola A. (Napier), Lula D. (Napier), Edward F., Robert 
T., Johnnie, Charles and Pernie P.  In 1866 Mr. Brown bought 200 acres of 
land on Bay's Fork Creek, which he has brought to a fine state of 
cultivation, and improved with a good dwelling, barns and orchard.  In 
agricultural pursuits he has been successful.  In 1874 he was elected to 
the office of surveyor of Allen County; he has been twice re-elected, 
and in the pursuance of the duties of his office has given good 
satisfaction to his constituents.  Politically he is a Republican, but 
is liberal in his views, except on the temperance question, on which he 
is very decided and favors the cause by both precept and example.  He 
and wife are members of the Methodist Church, of which four of their 
children are also members, and of which Mr. Brown is a recording 
steward.

Brown Lyles Napier
=
Sumner-TN VA

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/allen/brown.je.txt