My Genealogy Hound

CAPT. STANLEY BROWNE, McCracken County, was born in Breckinridge County, this State, February 10, 1820, and is a son of Dr. G. R. A. and Caroline E. (Esmenard) Browne, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Baltimore, Md. The father was a physician; he moved from Virginia to Breckinridge County in an early day, and was there engaged in the practice of his profession until his death, which occurred in 1834. He was a great lover of the racehorse, and found a passionate delight in the old-time barbecues, where horse-racing was an important feature of the programme. He was a son of Alexander Browne. The subject of these lines and G. R. A. Browne are the only children living, of the six who grew to maturity, of the children of Dr. Browne. Capt. Stanley received his early schooling in his native county, and after attending college a few months he moved to Paducah, at seventeen years of age, and has since made his residence in McCracken and the adjoining county of Livingston. He first clerked in a dry goods store and was afterward connected with a flouring and saw-mill, but the best part of his life has been spent in steamboating on the principal western rivers. For twenty years he captained and owned many of the best boats that plied these waters; among them, the “Dover,” “Federal Arch,” “Emma Watts” and “Midas.” During the war he purchased cotton in the South; soon afterward he gave up his river life, and, returning home, has since given his attention to farming pursuits, having a present farm of 300 acres. He married Miss Susan M. Calhoun, a daughter of Patrick Calhoun. Of this union six children are now living, Frances V. (married to Mr. F. W. Thomas, and mother of three children, Marion L., Stanley and James V.), Nellie E., James C., Edmoina C., Ezekiel E. and Kate C. Previous to the late war, Capt. Browne was engaged in the grocery business in Paducah. The story of his life is a romantic one, being made up of many interesting and thrilling occurrences. As a farmer and a resident of McCracken County, he is highly respected by its citizens.