Polk Co. IAGenWeb

BROWNE, JOHN - Is a native of Wales and was born on the 8th day of May, 1815, and lived there until seventeen years of age and then went to Liverpool, where he was educated with a mercantile experience. In 1840 he emigrated to the United States and settled in Brooklyn, New York, and from this place removed to Whitestown, Oneida county, New York, and became connected with the New York Mills, and, after remaining with this company for about eight years, engaged in the insurance business in Utica. In 1854 he made arrangements with the Des Moines Navigation and Railroad Company to take charge of their business in this State, and since 1867 has had entire control. His life has been one of ceaseless activity, and remarkable for energy and courage. He is a man of good sound understanding and large practical experience, and his career for the past twenty-five years is sufficient evidence of a successful manager. Mr. Browne has been thrice married-first, in 1834, to Miss Jane Swall, a native of England, who died in 1856, leaving seven children: Mary S. (now Mrs. Parmelee), John H., Edwin, Hamilton, Cornelia (now Mrs. Carpenter), George and Carrie (now Mrs. Chambers). He married for his second wife, Miss S. M. Scott, a native of Vermont. His third wife was Miss Fannie Scott, a sister of his first wife.