Mercer County PAGenWeb

Josiah Brown


JOSIAH BROWN, deceased, was born on the old homestead, in West Salem Township, January 20, 1816, and was the only son of Andrew Brown, who settled in this township in the year 1800. Andrew Brown married Mary, daughter of John and Nancy McLaughlin, natives of Ireland, who came to West Salem Township in April, 1800, where her father died the following year. They reared five children: Sarah, widow of Alexander Nelson; Nancy, deceased wife of James Speir, deceased; Josiah, deceased; Lovina, wife of Jeremiah Morford, and Maria, deceased wife of William Brown, deceased. Andrew Brown died in July, 1823, and his widow afterward married Richard Morford, and died July 20, 1873. Our subject spent his whole life on the old homestead in West Salem Township. He was twice married, first to Mary, daughter of Thomas and Susan Morford, and reared four children by this union: Thomas, deceased; Andrew, deceased; Mallissa, wife of Dr. Cushman, and Mrs. Susan Brooks. His wife died, and he was again married, August 21, 1849, to Permelia O., daughter of Osman and Mary Williams, of Trumbull County, Ohio. Mrs. Brown was born in that county, and is the mother of eight children: Emma J., wife of Samuel K. Parker; Emerson O.; Ransom J; Nancy A., wife of A. M. See; Minerva; Philura, wife of A. F. See; Milo and Manley, all of whom are living. Mr. Brown was a member of the Baptist Church many years, and died in that faith August 2, 1868. Politically he was a Republican, and served as justice of the peace two terms. He was an affectionate father and husband, and accumulated through the passing years a competence for himself and family. He was an honest, enterprising, public-spirited man, took a leading interest in the public affairs of his township, and was one of its trustworthy and most respected citizens.

Source: History of Mercer County, 1888, page 1170-1171


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