My Genealogy Hound

W. H. BROWN was born in Lebanon, Tenn., December 18, 1837, and is one of seven children of Samuel and Lucy (Chandler) Brown, born in North Carolina and Virginia in 1800 and 1804, and died in 1852 and 1872, respectively. The father was a saddler by trade and after coming to Tennessee always made Lebanon his home. Our subject was educated in the academies of Lebanon, and at the age of thirteen began clerking for A. R. Davis, for whom he worked ten years. February 2, 1860, he wedded Mattie C. Davis, daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Davis. Mrs. Brown was born September 18, 1834, and to her and husband were born seven children: Dixon Lee, Frank William, Mary, Robert Samuel, Jordan Harry, Charlie Brittin and Fannie. In 1865 Mr. Brown established a dry goods store in Lebanon with a capital of $1,195, $1,000 of which was borrowed. In 1876 he added ready-made clothing to his stock, continuing until January 1, 1885, when he sold his stock to his son, Dixon Lee. In 1874 Mr. Brown succeeded in organizing the Springfield National Bank, and was appointed cashier, but resigned at the end of six months as he did not wish to leave his old native town and county. In 1881 he organized the Peoples Bank, of Lebanon, a private bank, with a capital of $25,000, and was appointed cashier. This bank paid to its stockholders 13 per cent the first Year. January 1, 1883, the capital stock of the bank was increased to $40,000. In June, 1884, Mr. Brown and his stockholders bought out the Second National Bank, of Lebanon, a bank organized in 1872, with a capital of $50,000. June 9, 1884, the People’s Bank of Lebanon was consolidated with the Second National Bank, and the capital was increased to $70,000. In the reorganization Selden R. Williams was elected president, successor to James Hamilton, and W. H. Brown was appointed cashier, successor to T. J. Stratton. Mr. Brown owns $23,000 stock in the bank, two business houses in Lebanon, seven houses and lots, a small farm, and has a herd of pure bred Short-horn cattle. He belongs to the Democratic party, and is a member of the Masonic fraternity in Lodge No. 98, of Lebanon. He and wife are members of the Christian Church.