My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM BROWN, farmer, post office Sharpsburg, a prominent and successful farmer of O’Hara township, is a native of Gallowayshire, Scotland, born in 1827. His father, John Brown, a farmer, immigrated to America in 1834, located first in Washington county, Pa., but later moved to Allegheny county, where he lived on a farm in Indiana township until his death. John married Mary Houston, a native of Scotland. They became the parents of nine children, and died, he in 1870, aged seventy years, and his wife in 1853, aged fifty-four years. William Brown was reared and educated in Indiana township, and followed farming through life. In 1851 he married Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob Hodil, a member of one of the earliest families in the township. Five children, all of whom are living, have blessed this union: Homer, William R., Alfred, Walter and Minnie. It can be said, in justice to the subject of this sketch, that by his own personal efforts and fair dealings he ranks among O’Hara’s most well-to-do and respected citizens. He served his township for a number of years as member of the school board, and has also filled other positions. He and family are members of the United Brethren Church; politically he is a democrat.