H. Brown, saddle and harness maker, was born in Chautauqua County, N.Y., on the 19th day of April, 1828, and was a son of John and Henrietta (Webler) Brown. His mother was of German descent, and a native of Connecticut. She lived to be 103 years old, and her mother lived to be 105 years old. There was a family of nine children. The father and mother died in New York State. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and received a limited school education. When seventeen years old, he commenced to learn the trade of a saddler, and worked as an apprentice for three years. In 1850 he married Maria Seymour. By this union there were four children, three living-- John C., who married Fannie Williams, and resides in McGregor; Georgie, May and Nettie. In 1853 Mr. Brown left his home in New York and emigrated to Northern Wisconsin, and settled in Trempealeau County, where he engaged in hotel-keeping. There were three families in the town at the time, and the second daughter, born there, was the second white child born in the county. He remained there until the close of the war, when he went to Waterloo, Ia., and remained one year and a half. From there he removed to Elkader, and remained until 1873, when he came to McGregor. Mr. Brown is a member of the Masonic lodge of this city. source: History of Clayton
County, Iowa, 1882, p. 970-71 |