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Below is a family biography included in History of Union County, Iowa published by S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., in 1908.  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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Henry S. Brown, a member of the firm of Brown Brothers & Hood, shoe merchants of Creston, is a young man possessed of the enterprising spirit that has been the dominant factor in the upbuilding of the middle west. He possesses the strong determination and unfaltering diligence that enables him to carry forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes and in addition to his connection with the shoe trade he has been engaged in the piano and organ business in Creston since 1903.

He is a native of the Empire state, having been born at Bovina, Delaware county, New York, in 1870. His father, Andrew Brown, was born in the same place and was of Scotch lineage. The father, James Brown, was a native of the land of hills and heather and came to the United States at an early day, settling in southeastern New York. His son, Andrew Brown, was a farmer by occupation and became well-to-do, owning three hundred and twenty acres of land and considerable live stock. He belonged to the United Presbyterian church, was one of its active workers and was strong in the faith . He served as an elder in the church and did much to promote its development and progress. In politics he was a republican and in matters of citizenship was loyal and progressive. He died in 1883 at the age of sixty-four years, having for several years survived his wife, who passed away in 1877, at the age of fifty years. She bore the maiden name of Jane Hymers and was born in Delaware county, New York. Like her husband, she held membership in the United Presbyterian church and was an earnest and consistent Christian.

Henry S. Brown, the sixth in order of birth in a family of nine children, was reared to farm life and attended the country schools. Later he became a student in the academy at Delaware, New York, and in Eastman’s Business College, at Poughkeepsie, completing his course there by graduation in 1889. For one term he taught school, after which he engaged in clerking in a shoe store and also in writing life insurance. The year 1893 witnessed his arrival in Creston and the following January he here opened a shoe store in partnership with his youngest brother, Alfred A. The latter died in February, 1895, after which his older brother, Andrew J. Brown, became a member of the firm, which remained as Brown Brothers until February, 1907, when through the admission of Charles M. Hood to a partnership, the firm style of Brown Brothers & Hood was assumed. They carry a general stock of shoes and conduct an extensive and prosperous business, their trade steadily increasing, owing to their honorable methods and straightforward dealing. Henry S. Brown is also engaged in the piano and organ business, continuing in this line since 1903. He handles instruments of various makes and has a large trade in this department of commercial activity.

On the 27th of January, 1896, Mr. Brown was married to Miss Etta L. McMaster, who was born in Missouri in 1872, a daughter of Robert and Martha McMaster, the former a farmer now living retired in Creston. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have two daughters, Edith I. and Florence L. The parents are people of the highest respectability, esteemed by all who know them. They hold membership in the United Presbyterian church, in which Mr. Brown is serving as an elder. He is also a member of the Woodmen of the World, and in his political views is a stalwart republican. He has never sought to figure prominently in public life nor has he ever been an aspirant for political office, preferring to devote his time and energies to his business affairs and he is now one of the well known merchants of the city.

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This family biography is one of 247 biographies included in The History of Union County, Iowa published in 1908.  For the complete description, click here: Union County, Iowa History and Genealogy

View additional Union County, Iowa family biographies: Union County, Iowa Biographies

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