My Genealogy Hound

DONALD S. BROWN, a resident lawyer of Jamestown and a member of the Chautauqua county bar, is a son of Colonel James M. and Charlotte (Cook) Brown, and was born in the city of Jamestown, Chautauqua county, New York, September 24, 1854. The Browns are of that wonderful Scotch-Irish race that made its impress for morality and progress on every land in which its members have settled. Major James Brown, the paternal grandfather of Donald S. Brown, was born in Scotland where he died at an advanced age. He served as a major in the British army and married Margaret McConaghie, by whom he had three children, of whom two lived to maturity: Col. James H. (father), and Flora, who has always resided in Scotland.

On his maternal side the subject of this sketch is descended from the Cooks, and his great-grandfather, Thomas Cook, was born in County Cork, Ireland, in 1765, and became one of the pioneer settlers of Washington county, where he died. He was a covenanter in religious belief and married Ann Mehan, who bore him eight children, one of whom was Dr. Robert Cook (maternal grandfather). He was born at Lansingburgh, N. Y., in September, 1775, served as a surgeon in the war of 1812, and married Elizabeth Sutherland, daughter of a Major Sutherland who served in the British army during the war of 1812. Dr. Cook practiced medicine at Argyle, Washington county, for forty years, then practiced for some time in New York city, and in 1854 came to Jamestown where he afterwards died.

Colonel James M. Brown (father), was born November 24, 1825, in Scotland, from which he came to New York city in the autumn of 1844, and on the 22d of January, 1845, enlisted in the 4th U. S. Infantry to which Gen. Grant belonged. He tented for some time with Gen. Grant, and on account of having studied medicine was successively made hospital steward and assistant surgeon of the regiment. He was in all of the battles of Taylor’s army until his company was detached to join Scott under whom he participated in the struggles from Vera Cruz to the Mexican capital. After the Mexican war he was stationed at Ft. Mackinaw until January 22, 1850, when he retired from the army and went to Detroit where he read law, was admitted to the bar and practiced for a short time. In 1853 he came to Jamestown, where he practiced law and served as captain of Co. B, 68th N. Y. Militia and the Lowry Light Guards until 1861. In May of that year he recruited and organized Co. B, 72d regiment N. Y. Infantry, which was first known as the 3d regiment of the Excelsior brigade. He commanded this company until November 9, 1861, when he resigned to organize the 100th New York of which he was commissioned colonel. This regiment became a part of the “Eagle” brigade, and was commanded by Col. Brown until he fell at its head on May 31, 1862, at the battle of Seven Pines or Fair Oaks. He was a good officer, a brave soldier and a man who never feared danger. He fell in defense of his adopted country’s liberties, and left a record of which his county may be justly proud, while his name is honored by James M. Brown Post, No. 285, of the Grand Army of the Republic at Jamestown, and his memory will live for all time to come in the history of his county and State. He was a democrat until 1860 when he became a republican, and prior to the war had served as a justice of the peace for Jamestown. On June 15, 1852, Col. Brown was married in Detroit, to Charlotte Cook, and they were the parents of five children: Robert M. (dead); Donald S., Edward C., of Jamestown; A. F. Allen of New York city, who is an oil operator; and Malcolm J., who is dead.

Donald S. Brown received his education at Rochester University, from which he was graduated in the class of 1878. He then read law with Bootey & Fowler, was admitted to the bar in 1883, and since that time has been in the active practice of his profession in Jamestown. He is a republican in political affairs, and was elected as a justice of the peace for Jamestown. Mr. Brown gives close attention to his professional duties and is a member of the Sons of Veterans.