J. ROMAINE BROWN, Locksmith by trade, was born in the old Greenwich Village, New York City, October 1st, 1833. He was educated at the Yonkers Academy and before joining his father went into the hardware business, where he learned the locksmith trade. He bought the Thirty-fourth Street stage coach line in 1854 and two years later began his real estate career, in which he played a prominent part. For a time he was a partner of A.P.Mo Kinney, a New York banker, in the real estate business with his son Elliott L. Brown, in the J. Romaine Brown Company, located at 10 East 43rd Street and 244 Fifth Avenue. Brother Brown was one of the oldest Masons in the State, was a member of St. Nicholas Lodge of this city. He was also a member of the Union League Club and the Sons of the Revolution. He was one of the founders of the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church of Harlem. He was initiated a member of the Society May 2nd, 1883. He died November 5, 1924.
