My Genealogy Hound

JAMES BROWN (deceased) was born at Cootehill, County Cavan, Ireland, Feb. 10, 1780. When seventeen years old, having made three hundred pounds by trading in linen, he set out for America to purchase land for a home for his father’s family. He was attacked with ship fever on the way, and was put ashore on the Delaware, where he lay ill for some time. By the time he recovered his means were exhausted, and he proceeded to Brooklyn, N. Y., where he found employment in a confectionery-store. In 1803 he came with his employer to Pittsburgh, and became manager of the business to which he succeeded. His brothers having followed to America, they went into partnership in the dry-goods business, which grew to be extensive, and was carried on by his sons in a wholesale way after his retirement. For fifty years Mr. Brown was a partner with James Varner (see his biography) in brewing ale. With George Miltenberger, the firm being Miltenberger & Brown, he purchased the Wayne Iron works, which were afterward operated by his sons, John H. and Joseph S., and now by sons of the former, J. Stewart and Henry. Mr. Brown was a large investor in real estate, much of which is still owned by his descendants. The borough of Mansfield stands on land which was owned by Mr. Brown, it being his summer home. He was one of the incorporators of the Bank of Pittsburgh, and was identified with numerous financial interests, where his shrewd foresight came in demand. For nearly fifty years he dwelt on a lot purchased in Allegheny City in 1825, and here he died in November, 1874, in his ninety-fifth year. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of that city, and served in the borough and city councils. Although of a retiring disposition, he took great interest in the national welfare, and was an active supporter of the whig and subsequent republican party. His wife, Mary, was a daughter of Mansfield Banton, a very early resident of Pittsburgh, and they had six sons: John, William, James, Mansfield, Henry and Joseph S., and several daughters, most of whom are now deceased.