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Below is a family biography included in The History of McLean County, Illinois published by Wm. LeBaron, Jr. Co. in 1879.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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J. W. BROWN, Postmaster and dealer in stationery, notions, etc., Le Roy; born in Muskingum Co., Ohio, Nov. 7, 1841; at 9 years of age, he emigrated with his parents to Illinois, and located at Lewiston, Fulton Co., living there two years, when they removed to Bloomington, where he attended school until 17 years of age, when he entered the Wesleyan University, where he remained until the spring of 1861, when he enlisted for three months in the 8th I. V. I., and after serving his term of enlistment, and being mustered out of service, he returned to Bloomington, where he engaged as clerk in the dry goods trade until August, 1862, when he again enlisted for three years in the 3d Ill. Cav.; he was immediately sent to the front, and was engaged in the campaign through Missouri and Arkansas, then to Memphis, where he was located at the time the place was attacked by the rebels under Gen. Forrest, who was defeated by the above regiment, assisted by the 106th Ill. Inf., and one regiment of colored troops; after remaining in Memphis several months, they were sent to intercept the rebel Gen. Hood, with whom they fought and held in check for twenty-seven days, until the Union forces had concentrated at Nashville, which place he attacked, but was badly defeated. In the spring of 1865, he, with his regiment, was sent to St. Paul, Minn.; from there they were sent to Dakota Territory to fight Indians, and in the fall returned to St. Paul, where they were mustered out of service Nov. 25, 1865; he then returned to Bloomington, where he engaged as dry-goods clerk until 1870, when he removed to Le Roy and engaged in clerking until 1877, when he received the appointment of Postmaster, which office he now holds; he also keeps a complete stock of stationery, notions, etc.; his business card appears in the business directory of Le Roy, in another part of this work. His marriage with Josephine Hayes was celebrated, Jan. 9, 1868; she was born in Bloomington, Nov. 1, 1848; they have two children now living by this union, having lost one by death; the living are — Walla, born April 1, 1869, and Clyde, born Oct. 26, 1871. Mrs. Brown was daughter of Silas Hayes, one of the early settlers of Bloomington, who emigrated from Connecticut in 1834.

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This family biography is one of 1257 biographies included in The History of McLean County, Illinois published by Wm. LeBaron, Jr. Co. in 1879.  View the complete description here: The History of McLean County, Illinois

View additional McLean County, Illinois family biographies here: McLean County, Illinois Biographies

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