My Genealogy Hound

COL. THOMAS BROWN, of Hickman County, was born September 1, 1819, in Henry County, Ky. He is the son of Thomas and Nancy (Chenault) Brown. The father was a native of Ireland, and when a boy he came to Philadelphia and secured employment in a mercantile house; some years later he removed to New Castle, Ky., where he engaged extensively in merchandising; he died in 1865, aged eighty. The mother was born in Madison county, Ky., in 1790; she died in 1854, in New Castle. Our subject represented Henry County in the legislature during the session of 1849-50. He was for many years a resident of Missouri. During the late war he was commissioned lieutenant-colonel, commanding the first division of the First Missouri Infantry, Confederate States Army. After the war he made one crop in Claiborne County, Miss., after which he came to Columbus, where he has since resided. He owns and controls over 2,000 acres of land in Ballard County. He was married in 1856 to Nannie K. Hunter, a granddaughter of Joseph Hunter, and was appointed by Jefferson a member of the first council held in Missouri Territory. This lady was born in Mississippi County, Mo., and died in Columbus in February, 1868, aged thirty-two, leaving four children, two sons and two daughters. Col. Brown’s second marriage was in October, 1871, to Mrs. Ann B. (Vance) Ford. Five children have blessed this union, two sons and three daughters. This last wife died May 5, 1885. Judge William R. Vance, the father-in-law of our subject, was born December 5, 1805, in Jefferson County, Ky. His father was born in Virginia in 1771, and moved to Jefferson County in 1798. He was a minister of the Presbyterian denomination, as well as one of the earlier Presbyterian ministers of the State. He died September 18, 1829. Judge Vance engaged in merchandising at about the age of twenty-five, continuing about ten years. He was a member of the legislature and state senate, and from 1847 to 1851 was mayor of Louisville. He was marshal of the chancery court of Louisville, and United States pension agent for three years. In 1856 he removed to Ballard County, and was elected county judge. In 1858 he came to Columbus; here he has been mayor for several terms, also city attorney. He has been for many years elder of the Presbyterian Church. Judge Vance died April 23, 1885.