BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO

"History of the Upper Ohio Valley" Vol. II, 1890.

Presented by Linda Fluharty from hard copies provided
by Mary Staley & Phyllis Slater.


Page 621.

GEORGE BROWN

George Brown, the oldest jeweler of St. Clairsville, Ohio, and one of the
prominent business men of Belmont county, was born in Ireland, October 13,
1816. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His father, James
Brown, was a weaver by trade. In 1818 he came to the United States with
his wife, whose maiden name was Jane Welch, and four children. They landed
at Baltimore. From there he came to Harrison county, near New Athens, Ohio,
and settled in the woods in a log cabin, which was the home of the family
for several years. He then moved to New Athens, and kept a hotel for
several years. Afterward he bought a house and forty acres of land adjoin-
ing the town. He died in New Athens in 1856, in the seventy-sixth year of
his age. His wife, who was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal
church, died in New Athens in 1862. Of their seven children four are now
living: Joseph Brown, of Flushing, Ohio; George Brown, of St. Clairsville,
Ohio; Mrs. Margaret Rankin, of Farmersville, Mo., and Mrs. Sarah A. Hughes,
of New Athens. George Brown received his education in the pioneer log cabin
and New Athens college. In 1834 he went to Steubenville, Ohio, and learned
the watch, clock and jewelry trade with Arundel Hill, where he remained
until 1841. In September of 1841, he came to St. Clairsville and estab-
lished the watch and jewelry business, known now as George Brown & Son,
and is the most prosperous jewelry store in St. Clairsville. He was one
of the organizers and has been connected with the National bank for
twenty-five years, and has been its president four years. He is con-
sidered one of the solid men of the town. In 1844 Mr. Brown was married
to Mary W. Sutton, who died in 1855, leaving one child, J. Ella Johnson,
three children having died within one month previous. In 1856 Mr. Brown
was married to S. J. Sutton. Their three living children are: J. Ella,
George V. and Anna L., and one grandson, William Barkley Johnson. Mrs.
Brown is a daughter of Lewis and Eleanor (McWilliams) Sutton.