James Franklin Brown, eldest son of the late James M. and Mary Buxton Brown, was born in Cass County on August 6, 1849. He departed this life June 21, 1933, at seven p.m. at his late home one and one half miles north of Concord. Although Mr. Brown was bedfast only a short time, he had been in declining health since suffering a paralytic stroke nine years ago.

At the age of eleven Mr. Brown moved with his parents to the Brown home north of Concord. The remainder of his life was spent in this community except three years when he resided in Jacksonville. The Brown family came to the new home when the country was thinly settled and ways of living were very primitive. They saw their wilderness home grow to a home which was surrounded by the blessings of civilized life. Due to his early experiences in this pioneer state, in later life Mr. Brown could interestingly relate many facts concerning the early history of Morgan county.

Mr. Brown, as his father was, was a staunch supported on the Democratic party. A topic on which he could talk very interestingly was of the Civil War period and of the Lincoln-Douglas debates.

He received his education in the district schools of the community and at Brown's Business college. Later in life he followed the occupations of farming and stock raising.

He was united in marriage with Margaretta J. Mount on June 5, 1913. To this union two sons were born; James Mount and Waldon Buxton Brown, who together with Mrs. Brown survive. He leaves two brothers: Felix of Hopkins, Missouri and George of Jacksonville, Illinois. He also leaves a number of nieces and nephews and many other relatives and friends to mourn his passing. Preceding him in death were one brother Oscar and two sisters; Mrs. Abigail Gaddis and Mrs. Sarah Jane Ratliff. When a young man he was converted in the old Hopewell Presbyterian church. Later in life he joined the Methodist Protestant church in Concord.

As long as health permitted he was a regular attendant and contributor to the same church from which the funeral services were conducted....

Submitted by: Cheryl (Curtis) Behrend