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

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Lewis J. Brown (p 1019)

This well known and popular railroad agent at New Trenton, Indiana, and a leading businessman of the place, is a native of this state, born in Dearborn County, June 4, 1854, and is a son of Christian and Mary (Stoll) Brown, who were born, reared and married in Germany and emigrated to America in 1847, landing in New York. They first went to Cincinnati and later to New Orleans, but finally returned to Cincinnati, and afterward made their home for a time in Dearborn County, Indiana, and in Adrian, Michigan. Returning to Dearborn County, the father purchased a small farm, and in connection with its operation also worked at the brick and stone mason's trade until 1865, when he sold the place and moved to Harrison County and from there to Franklin County, Indiana. He bought a farm two miles north of New Trenton, and upon that place spent the remainder of his life, dying there, April 17, 1892. He was a Democrat in politics but never an aspirant for office, and a Lutheran in religious faith. His widow, who now finds a good home with our subject, also is a member of the German Lutheran Church. In their family were four children, namely: Theodore, a resident of Brookville, Indiana; Henry, who died leaving three children; Lewis J., our subject; and Mary, wife of John Node, a farmer.

Lewis J. Brown was reared on the home farm in much the usual manner of farmer boys of his day, and was given a common school education. His two brothers learned the mason's trade, while he carried on the homestead, remaining at his parental home for seven years after his marriage. About 1885 he returned to Dearborn County, where he cultivated a rented farm for three years, and then accepted the position of railroad agent at New Trenton, in which capacity he still continues to serve the company in a most satisfactory manner. He is also successfully engaged in business as a dealer in lumber, grain, coal, flour and feed, having built up a large and constantly increasing trade by fair and honorable dealing.

On the 17th of October, 1879, Mr. Brown was united in marriage with Miss Himalaya Bower, who was born near Dayton, Ohio, August 5, 1856, and was brought to Franklin County, Indiana, by her parents, Jacob and Martha (John) Bower, also natives of the Buckeye State. Her father was an extensive fruit-grower and farmer, who at an early day set out a large orchard here of eighty-five acres, but finally sold his property here and went to Chattanooga, Tennessee, near which city he engaged in the nursery and fruit business until failing health compelled his return north. After a lingering illness he died in Franklin County, Indiana, January 12, 1887. In his younger years he followed school teaching to some extent, and was a man honored and respected by all who knew him. Mrs. Bower is still living. Their children were Himalaya, wife of our subject; Vernon, a blacksmith of New Trenton; Mrs. Cozette Stewart; and Ernest, a farmer and stockman of Colorado. The children born to our subject and wife are Cozy, who now has charge of the railroad office and serves as telegraph operator; Irene, Loretta, Grover, Omar, Bessie and Alford --- all at home.

Mr. Brown was reared in the Lutheran Church, with which he is still connected. He has always taken an active and commendable interest in public affairs and is one of the leading representatives of the Democratic Party in his section of the county. He attends its conventions, and on the party ticket was elected township trustee in 1896, a position he is now acceptably filling. He is widely and favorably known and is one of the most influential citizens of New Trenton and surrounding country.