Solomon BROWN, b. 1855, d. 1926

Solomon Brown, an active, energetic and successful farmer living on section 10, White Oak township, where he owns and operates one hundred and fifty-nine acres of arable land, was born upon this farm September 26, 1855--a fact which indicates that he is a representative of one of the pioneer families of the county. His father, Jonathan Brown, was a native of Morgan county, Ohio, and was reared in Marion county, that state, where he resided until after he had attained his majority. He was there married to Miss Elizabeth Reed in 1852. The lady was a native of Delaware and a daughter of Job Reed, who was likewise born in Delaware, whence he removed with his family to Marion county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Brown followed farming in Ohio and in the second year after their marriage came to Iowa, where he purchased one hundred and nineteen acres of land and also entered from the government forty acres more. It was entirely wild and unimproved and he at once began to clear and cultivate the place. He had to perform the arduous task of breaking the sod and preparing the land for cultivation, but in the course of time he had transformed the tract into richly cultivated fields. He built thereon a good house and barn, also substantial outbuildings and developed a neat and valuable property, being recognized as one of the enterprising agriculturists of the community. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Brown were born nine children, of whom three died in infancy. The eldest is Nancy, the wife T. J. Shipley, a resident of Keokuk county, Iowa. Solomon is the next of the family. J. L is living in Rose Hill, where he is conducting a hardware store. Alice is the wife of C. I. Ellis. Sarah is the wife, of C. L. Vanlaninghan, a popular merchant of Rose Hill. William is at home. The father of this family departed this life in 1885, at the age of fifty-seven years. The mother, however, is still living in her seventy-fifth year and makes her home with her sons, Solomon and William. Upon the old homestead farm Solomon Brown was reared and in the public schools of the neighborhood acquired his education. In his youth he aided in the work of the fields and since his father's death he has operated the farm upon which he has always lived with the exception of a period of two years from 1898 until 1900, when he resided in Oskaloosa, filling the office of deputy sheriff. He has a well kept farm and raises some stock. He also keeps high bred Plymouth Rock chickens and the breeding of those fowls adds not a little to his income. In all of his business interests he is active and enterprising, and his labors are attended with a measure success which shows that his work is of a practical nature. He attends the Methodist Episcopal church of which his mother is a member. His political allegiance is given to the democracy, and while never seeking office, he supports the men and measures of the party. The only positions he has ever filled are those of deputy sheriff and constable, acting in the latter capacity in White Oak township for seven years. He finds ample incentive for the exercise of his talents and energies in his business affairs and has come to be recognized as one of the substantial farmers of the county.

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from Past and Present of Mahaska County, Iowa by Manoah Hedge The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1906

Past and Present of Mahaska County, Iowa

Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy

Iowa Genealogy

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