Obituary for James William Brown (1841-1916)
Uncited clippings from the "Mattie Davis Martin Collection" of Doris Martin Jablonski, 1998.

An aged resident of this vicinity passes to his eternal reward. He best serves his community who builds a home, raises a Christian family, lives by the Golden Rule in the fear of God, loves his neighbor and stands patriotically for obedience to his government and for the progress of his country.

Can you lay down rules of life that will secure greater happiness and satisfaction than these? Or can you take from such a life aught without robbing it of those attributes that are genuinely worth while?

These were the characteristics of James W. BROWN, whom we delighted for 38 years and more to consider our personal friend. He was born, lived to the ripe old age of 75 years and 6 months and died on the homestead where his eyes first saw the light of day. He had friends wherever his acquaintanceship extended -- enemies, none so far as we have ever heard.

We first knew him as superintendent of the county poor farm, a place hard to fill, and yet so well did he discharge its duties that no complaints was ever made to his humane care for the inmates under his charge, nor as to his management of the county’s property. At the time of his death he was a deputy marshal in the United States District Court at St. Louis under Judge D. Pat DYER.

Mr. BROWN suffered a stroke of paralysis several weeks ago, from which he never made real improvement, but gradually grew weaker from day to day until released by death on Friday, September 29, 1916. The brief story of his long and useful life was told by Elder BARTLETT on Sunday, October 1, when he held funeral services at the home in the presence of the largest crowd that we have ever saw gathered at a funeral service in Lincoln county -- this alone testifying to the high regard in which Mr. BROWN was held by his neighbors and friends. Here is the record as given by the minister at the service.

James William BROWN was born April 14, 1841, died September 29, 1916. He was married to Miss Susan E. OWEN December 30, 1862, to which union six children born: Janie who became the wife of John R. FRINK; William A., Mrs. B. S. WILLIAMS, Harvey T., Eugene and Mrs. Susie KIMLER. Of these Mrs. FRINK, William A., and Harvey T. preceded him to the grave. On April 17, 1875, this wife departed her life. On January 1876, he was married to Miss Fannie G. KEMPER, and to their union three children were born, Mrs. Laura E. BITTICK, Hutt T. And Mrs. Eva C. STEPHENSON. This wife died February 8, 1885. On February 14, 1886, he was married to Miss Bettie L. THOMPSON and to this marriage two children were born, Mrs. Mett JANES and Raymond E. His widow and eight children, besides many grandchildren survive him.

Mr. BROWN was a member of Sand Run church, of the Primitive Baptist faith for something like 40 years; was clerk of the church for 37 years and for several years was also clerk of Cuivre Siloan Baptist Association. He was a veteran of the Southern army serving under General Sterling Price.

After the funeral at home, the remains were borne to Troy followed by the long procession of cars and vehicles and laid away in our city cemetery.

He rest in peace, after a long and well-spent life. His family cherish the memory of a devoted husband and father. The community has lost a kindly genial friend, the county an honest useful citizen. We shall long remember his kindly handclasp, his pleasant words of friendship for all, and we hope to meet him in that world where no parting shall ever come.   

Note regarding clippings from the "Mattie Davis Martin Collection":   Mattie Davis Martin (1875-1943) lived all of her life in Lincoln County, MO.   She collected a large file of clippings of Lincoln County residents.  The majority of the clippings were without citation, and kept stored in an old purse. Doris Martin Jablonski, beneficiary of the collection, has transcribed them for inclusion on our Lincoln County Heritage/Records Page.

File submitted to HERITAGE PAGES of LINCOLN COUNTY, MISSOURI by Doris Martin Jablonski, 31 October 1998.

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