Transcript:Indiana, United States. Biographical and Genealogical History of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin Counties/B/Brown, Franklin J.

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Franklin J. Brown (p 820)

This well-known citizen of Richmond, Indiana, was born here February 8, 1843, and is a son of Eli and Martha (Hawkins) Brown. Eli Brown was a native of Guilford County, North Carolina, from which state he came to Indiana in 1813. He was a hatter by trade and followed that business for several years. He also engaged in the mercantile business, being one of the first merchants here, and remained in that business until his retirement from active life. He also operated a flour and oil mill, having as a partner in this venture, Bazil Brightel. Their mill was on the site now occupied by the piano works, and there they utilized the water as a power to carry on their mills, being the first to make use of it. They continued this enterprise many years, and he was successful in that as in other business affairs and became quite wealthy. He finally gave up active business and passed the remainder of his life on his farm, about two miles from Main Street, on Union Pike. He built the brick house, which is now there, about the year 1861. He was married to Miss Martha Hawkins, a native of South Carolina, but a resident of this state since her sixth year. She survived her husband ten years and died in her seventy-eighth year, he dying at the age of seventy-eight years. Their married life extended over a period of more than fifty years --- an unusual event. Eli Brown was the first city treasurer of Richmond, and built the second house that was put up after the town was laid out. He was an early member of the orthodox Friends' Church, and was a man of excellent reputation and unsullied character. A large family of children was born to them, all of whom grew up to be industrious, useful citizens, as follows: Elam succeeded his father in the store, but later, in company with his brother Alfred, went to Bethlehem, Hamilton County, where they were in business several years, but both returned to their native town, where Elam was deputy treasurer of the county for years, and died at the advanced age of seventy-five years; Anna married Elihu Morrow, and lived in Richmond until her death, at the age of seventy years; Alfred died when sixty-six years old, having lived in Richmond for many years; Jane, who married Hoxie Kenyon, and lived at Westfield, this state, was fifty years of age at the time of her death; Oliver was a druggist at Westfield, and also died at the age of fifty years; William is a harness maker in Richmond; Amos was a brick mason, and after leaving the army he moved to Kansas, where he died at the age of forty years; Franklin J. is represented in this sketch; and Joseph is employed in the plow factory in Richmond.

Franklin J. Brown was reared to manhood in Richmond, where he attended the public schools and entered the office of the county clerk, as deputy to General Meredith. He was also deputy under Samuel Slagel, the successor of the General, for two years, when he enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-third Indiana Regiment, Company A, and served with his company under Sherman. After his term of enlistment had expired he returned and resumed his duties as deputy clerk under Mr. Slagel until the death of that gentleman, when he turned his attention to agriculture. He took charge of the farm upon which his father had spent his declining years, and after his mother had passed away he purchased the property, which contains one hundred and fifty-six acres. He now rents this farm, as well as the one he owns in Howard County.

Mr. Brown is an earnest worker in the Republican Party, and has served on the county committee for several years. He is generally to be found in all county, district, congressional and state conventions, and is a recognized leader in political circles.