Biographical Sketches
J. CARSON BROWNLEE, M. D.
It is a fact, despite our American pretensions to the contrary, that every individual possesses a secret, if not avowed, admiration for good blood. Every American must cross the ocean for the origin of his family and it is an added satisfaction if he can claim a near approach to Scotch-Irish ancestors, for the many excellent qualities that have developed by the intermingling of the blood of these 2 races is well known.
Dr. J. Carson Brownlee, whose name heads this sketch, traces the establishment of his family tree in America to Archibald Brownlee, who emigrated from Scotland in 1755 and settled in Washington county, Pennsylvania. That county was the birthplace of the three following generations, -- William, Ebenezer and the Doctor. The mother of the last named is Elizabeth (Davidson) Brownlee, who is of Irish descent, and was likewise born and reared in Washington county. Our subject belongs to a family of 5 sons and a daughter, as follows: Robert; George, now of Douglass, Nebraska; J. Carson; Samuel and Jennie, who reside in Washington county, Pennsylvania; and one son, John, who died in 1893, that county. The worthy parents of this family are both now deceased. The father, who was extensively engaged in stock dealing in the county which was the ancestral home of the family, died December 14, 1892, aged 68 years and 3 months. As far back as can be traced the Brownlee family have been Scotch-Presbyterians in religious belief, and the Doctor's father was for many years an elder in that church. He was also prominent in public affairs. On the mother's side our subject was connected with a family of prominence. His grandfather, James Davidson, was related to Colonel Robert Davidson, of Revolutionary fame. He had three sons, all of whom were physicians of western Pennsylvania.
Dr. J. Carson Brownlee was born February 9, 1854, and attended the public schools near his home in Washington county, Pennsylvania, after which he took a college preparatory course at West Alexandria and entered Amherst College. Desirous of pursuing a more extended course of study he became a student in Cornell University, and deciding there to adopt the medical profession he took a special course and entered the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, of New York, at which he was graduated in 1880. Throughout the 5 succeeding years he engaged in the practice of his profession at West Alexandria, Pennsylvania, and in 1885 came to Kansas City, where he is still located. His practice includes every line of medical work and in all departments he has been successful.
Dr. Brownlee is a member of the Washington Medical Society and belongs to the Phi Delta Theta Society of Cornell University. His office and residence are located at No. 401 W. 5th Street, where he took up his abode at the time of his arrival in this city.
On the 29th of April, 1887, was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Brownlee and Miss Ida George, daughter of William and Louisa (Meyer) George. Their home is a favorite retreat for a large circle of friends.
This page was last updated August 2, 2006.