browni
Transcribed from "An Illustrated History of The
Big Bend Country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin counties,
State of Washington", published by Western Historical Publishing
Co., 1904.
ISAIAH BROWN. This estimable
gentleman is a veteran, not only of life's battles, but also in the battles
of his country and in both capacities has shown himself a man of sterling
worth and industry, on account of which it is with pleasure that we grant
him representation in this capacity. Now he is spending the golden
years of his days in well earned retirement from the more arduous duties
of life, enjoying the competence that his sagacity and thrift have provided.
Isaiah Brown was born in Ohio, in Cuyahoga
county, on May 14, 1832, the son of Asaph and Hepsibeth (Perry) Brown.
The father was a native of New York and fought in the war of 1812.
He participated in many engagements and was wounded at the battle of Black
Rock, New York. His death occurred in Lorain county, Ohio, in 1845,
having come thither as one of the early pioneers in an ox cart. It
was preserved for many years by the family as a relic of importance.
He was a cousin of Commodore Perry of Lake Erie fame.
The youthful days of our subject were spent
amid the frontier environments of Ohio and his education was gained from
the old Webster speller and the English reader together with Ray's arithmetic.
When fourteen years of age, he hired out as a farm hand at five dollars
per month, continuing in that capacity for two years. After this
he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for several years in
Ohio. Then he went on the Wisconsin river and engaged in lumbering,
which business occupied him for twenty-nine years. In 1879, he moved
to Miles City, Montana, and was engaged in the stock and grain business
with disastrous results, loosing five thousand dollars. In 1880,
he landed in Spokane and after looking over the country, he located his
present place about five miles northwest from Waterville, which he took
as a homestead, and adjoining which, two of his children took quarter sections.
Since that time they have all been engaged in producing general crops and
fruit. In 1864, Mr. Brown enlisted in the Forty ninth Wisconsin Volunteer
Infantry as private under Captain J. Dinsmoore and Colonel Fellows.
His service was mostly in Arkansas and Louisiana and his discharge occurred
in 1865, in St. Louis. He was selected as the best soldier to participate
in the grand review at Washington, D. C.
Mr. Brown has one brother and two sisters,
Libeus, deceased, Nancy Taft and Cuziah Standon. On February 5, 1857,
in Marietta, Wisconsin, Mr. Brown married Miss Mary F., daughter of Andrew
and Margaret Byers, natives of Pennsylvania and Germany, respectively.
Mrs. Brown was born in Pennsylvania, in 1838, and has the following named
brothers and sisters, Elizabeth Hartley, Adeline Ross and Jackson.
To Mr. and Mrs. Brown five children were born; Eva E., wife of Horace Wilcox,
living in Waterville; Elsie, wife of Harmon Wilcox, also living in Waterville;
George B., Cora F., and Frank W., at home. Politically, Mr. Brown
has always been a good strong Republican and has held various responsible
offices where he has lived. He was assessor in Crawford county, Wisconsin,
and also commissioner and treasurer in this county, being appointed to
the latter by the county commissioners. He has been a member of the
A. F. and A. M. since 1859 and also belongs to the G. A. R. Mr. Brown
was raised in the Presbyterian church but at present belongs to no denomination.
He is a good man and esteemed citizen in the community.
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