Peyton A. Brown, farmer, P. O., Fairville. Is a native of Cumberland county, Virginia. When quite young he came with his father, Henry Brown, to this state and county, locating upon the farm where he resides at present. Mr. Henry Brown was a minister of the M. E. Church, South. During his youth he exhibited considerable talent in sketching, to such and extent that his parents allowed him to cultivate it, together with the art of painting, in one of the finest schools of art in Philadelphia, the result of which far exceeded their expectations, he having since produced some very excellent paintings, some of which may be seen at his son’s residence, at that of T. R. E. Harvey, Robert Brown, A. T. Irvine and various others in the county. His family consisted of five children, four of whom are now living, the subject of our sketch being the second child. After the death of his father, which occurred in 1854, in the forty-third years of his age, Peyton lived part of the time in Missouri and part of the time in Virginia. With the exception of two years, in which he engaged in merchandising, he followed the occupation of a farmer. In 1858, September 21, he was married to Miss Sallie M. Hatcher, of St. Charles county, Missouri. They have had seven children, of whom six are living; Walter H., Edwin G., Chas. B., Susan, Eleanor and William C. In 1861, Mr. Brown enlisted in the Confederate service, under General J. E. B. Stuart, with whom he served until the close of the war. He participated in all the battles in which his command was engaged, with the exception of Gettysburg. He held the rank of first lieutenant, in company C, third Virginia cavalry, during 1861. Also acted as adjutant for some time. In 1868, Mr. B. came to Saline county and took possession of the property on which he now resides. His farm is one of the oldest and best improved in the county. Mr. B. acted as dispatch bearer for General R. E. Lee, at the time of the surrender.
