My Genealogy Hound

FREDERICK W. BROWN, a resident of Ava, is an extensive land owner, possessing some six hundred and seventy-six acres in Degognia Township, Jackson County, of which he cultivates about sixty acres and leases the balance to tenants. He is a son of James M. Brown (whose life sketch appears elsewhere in this work) and was born near Shiloh Hill, Randolph County, October 30, 1843. Most of his schooling was secured in the Old Zion schoolhouse before the family removed to Rockwood, in 1857. He attended the subscription schools of that place for the two years succeeding.

After his school days were ended, Mr. Brown accepted a position in a mill, where he remained until the spring of 1860. Later he aided in the management of his father’s large farm, remaining thus engaged until August 15, 1862, when he enlisted in Company C, Eighteenth Illinois Infantry, and accompanied his regiment to the front. From Jackson, Tenn., he went with his company into active service, being at different times under the command of Generals Logan, Washburn, Steele and Reynolds. He took part in the siege of Vicksburg and was present at the surrender of the city. After the fall of Vicksburg the Eighteenth was assigned to the Seventh Army Corps in the Army of the Arkansas, where they remained until the close of the war.

June 4, 1864, a number of companies were consolidated, C and H forming a new company, A, and from that date until the close of the Rebellion they were in charge of a pontoon bridge across the Arkansas River, at Little Rock. They were discharged in that city July 8, 1865, were paid off at Springfield, Ill., and reached home early in August of the same year. Mr. Brown then resumed civic pursuits. March 7, 1866, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary E., daughter of John Young, of Chester. This estimable lady was born November 1, 1845, and by her marriage has become the mother of five children, namely: Alice K., the wife of Frank Fletcher, a painter and paper-hanger of Murphysboro, Ill.; Laura M., wife of William M. Jernigan, a cooper of Ava; Minnie B., Eunice P. and Edward Austin.

In November, 1866, Mr. Brown entered upon a mercantile career at Rockwood, in which he continued until October, 1868. Disposing of his stock of goods, he then began trading in horses and mules, meantime making his headquarters in Memphis. In that business he was engaged until January, 1872, when he took a position in the stockyards of that city, and for a year occupied that place. Following this, he accepted a position as bookkeeper for Col. Jesse Forest, who conducted a sale and livery stable on Monroe Street, Memphis. Remaining in that position until May, 1874, Mr. Brown then returned to Jackson County, and has made his home here ever since.

In addition to farming, Mr. Brown, in connection with his brothers, ran a threshing machine every season until the year 1880. That year accepting a position with Dean Brothers, merchants and millers of Ava, he removed with his family to that place, where he has remained ever since. After three years with Dean Brothers he operated a store for the sale of agricultural implements, in which business he continued for two years. Disposing of his stock of implements he traveled a twelvemonth for a cigar and tobacco firm. In 1886 he accepted his old position with Dean Brothers, remaining in their employ four years longer. At the expiration of that time he resumed agricultural pursuits, in which he is at present engaged. He still makes his home in Ava, while he conducts his farm in Degognia. Socially Mr. Brown is a member of the Knights of Honor, of which organization he was Reporter. He is also prominently connected with the Ava Post, G. A. R. Politically he is a firm believer in and supporter of the Prohibition platform, and votes his party ticket as well as talks for it. Both in Jackson and Randolph Counties he and his family are well and favorably known, and his reputation for honesty, excellent judgment and progressive spirit is justly merited by his honorable and useful career.