DEATH OF W. J. BROWN

DIED—At his home west of town, near Clara, last Thursday morning at 2 o'clock, Mr. William J. Brown, cause of his death being Bright's disease.
     Mr. Brown was born in Wilson county, Tenn., December 2,1842, being at the time of his death 61 years, 2 months and 9 days old. He came to Texas county in 1870 and has resided here ever since.
Mr. Brown was married three times. In 1866 he was married to Sarah G. Thons, who died Dec. 17, 1876; in 1877 he was married to Nancy Cox, who died April 5, 1883. He was again married about two years ago to Laura Roberts, who survives him. Five children were the result of the first union—George W. Jr., Lily Bell, F. R., Thomas Jerry and Mary Caroline; to the second union were born James and Cora Bell (wife of Frank Justice). One child resulted from his third marriage. All his children survive him.
     Mr. Brown was a member of the Baptist church and was a sincere Christian gentleman. He was also a member of the Houston G. A. R. post.
     Funeral services were held at Wolford cemetery Friday afternoon in the presence of a large number of sorrowing relatives and friends. The services were conducted by Rev. Fitzgerald.
Mr. Brown was a splendid citizen, a good neighbor and true to his friends. He will be sadly missed from the community in which he lived, but his many good deeds will ever be fresh in the memory of the many whom he counted as friends.
     The Herald extends its sincere sympathy to the bereaved ones in the loss of husband and father, who has paid the great debt which mortal man must sooner or later pay, and he has only gone before to welcome you to the land of eternal rest.

From The Houston Herald dated 18 Feb 1904
Posted by: Janet Johnson

     Again the death angel has visited our neighborhood and claimed one of our neighbors. On Thursday morning, Feb. 11, 1904, at 2 o'clock, W. J. Brown was called from this world to give an account of his life here. "Uncle Billy," as he was called, was sick almost three months with Bright's disease, and all that medical skill and loving hands could do for him was done, but none of these could stay the cold hand of death and he grew worse each day until the last.
     W. J. Brown was born in Wilson county, Tenn., December 2, 1842, and is a son of William R. and Elizabeth (Bevel) Brown.
     W. J. Brown resided with his mother until he joined the state militia, but afterward went with his mother to Cole county, Mo., where he lived for some time, and after a short stop in Pettis county, returned to Texas county ;in the fall of 1870, where he has since made his home. About 1866 he was married to Sarah G. Thons, a daughter of R. G. Thons. She was born in Guilford county, N.C., April 14, 1845 and died in Texas county, Mo., December 17, 1876; having been a member of the United Baptist Church for a number of years. Their children are as follows: George W. Jr., Lily Bell, F. R., Thomas Jerry and Mary Caroline. In 1877 he married Nancy Cox, who was born in Tenn., and died in Texas county April 5, 1883. She was the mother of three children, two of whom are James and Cora Bell. March 27, 1892, he was married to Mrs. Laura B. Roberds, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. L. G. Gentry. To this union was born one child, Clara, who is not yet one year old and who will never know the loss of a loving father. But we find this promise from the Heavenly Father, "I will be a father to the fatherless."
     At the request of "Uncle Billy," Bro. Fitzgerald, of Elk Creek, preached the funeral address at the home of the deceased, after which his remains were buried in the grave yard at Wolford school house, by the side of his loved ones who had already passed over the river of death.
     "Uncle Billy" was a member of the Baptist church and lived a Christian life for many years.
                                                                                                                                                           A FRIEND.
From The Houston Herald ~ 25 Feb 1904
Posted by: Janet Johnson

We wish to express our thanks to our friends and neighbors for their many kindnesses shown us in the sad time of the fatal sickness of our husband and father, W. J. Brown. May God's blessings rest on you all and may you ever be blessed with such friends when in times of such sadness is the wish of . . . His WIFE AND CHILDREN.
Laura Brown, George Brown, F. R. Brown, Jerry Brown, Mollie Brown, Cora Justice, Lily Jarrett

From  The Houston Herald ~ 25 Feb 1904
Posted by: Janet Johnson