My Genealogy Hound

WESLEY BROWN, one of Dale’s extensive tobacco dealers, is a native of Monroe County, Ohio, born July 11, 1839, the youngest but one in a family of five children born to Abel and Sallie (Knowlton) Brown, who were natives of Virginia and Massachusetts. The mother died in Ohio, in September, 1863, the father, after coming to Indiana, died September 6, 1882. Wesley Brown received a good common school education, and remained at home until 1859, when he came to Spencer County, Ind., and began teaching school near Rockport. After teaching five terms, he returned to his native county, and August 29, 1861 married Dorothy L. Powell, who was born April 12, 1842, a daughter of Hiram and Mary Powell. Two children were born to them, Lafayette and Isabella. Being left a widower, Mr. Brown enlisted February 8, 1863, in Company G, Seventh West Virginia Volunteer Infantry, and as a private, participated in the battles of Nashville, Antietam and Cheat Mountain, besides several lesser engagements, and was honorably discharged October 6, 1865, as orderly sergeant. For a time after the war he was employed in the oil region of West Virginia, and also taught the first free school in Wirt County. In 1867 he came to Indiana, and for three years taught school near Centerville, also working at carpentering. He then farmed and dealt in tobacco near Newtonville until the spring of 1882, when he moved to Dale, where he now resides. In 1884 he purchased his warehouse at this point, and is handling tobacco at the rate of 500,000 pounds per annum. He also owns a farm, is a Democrat and a member of the G. A. R. March 28, 1878, he married Nancy Overall, the daughter of Nathaniel and Evaline (McCoy) Overall.