My Genealogy Hound

OLIVER J. F. BROWNAWELL, a veteran of the Civil war, and a highly esteemed resident of Monroe township, Cumberland county, living near Churchtown, is a son of Elias, and a grandson of Henry, the latter of whom was born in Cumberland county, of French ancestry.

Early in life Henry Brownawell was a day laborer, but later he farmed in Middlesex township, where he died. His children were as follows: Polly Ann died in Middlesex township; Mrs. George Keller died in Silver Spring township; George died in Perry county; Susanna died in North Middleton township; Elias; Nancy died in the west; David is living in Perry county, now in his ninetieth year; Henry died in South Middleton township; Sallie died in Middlesex township; Elizabeth died in Middlesex township.

Elias Brownawell, son of Henry, was born in Middlesex township, and received a common school education. When old enough he began working by the day, and learned the trade of a weaver. After his marriage, Elias located in Middlesex township, near Carlisle Springs, where he purchased a small tract of land, upon which he built a house and engaged in day’s work and weaving, remaining there a number of years. Later he moved three miles southeast of Carlisle Springs, where he engaged in farming for some years, when he removed to Perry county, and there bought forty-seven acres of land. That was his home at the time of his death in 1869. His wife, who also died at the same home, was Catherine Lephart, daughter of Jacob and Catherine Lephart, of Cumberland county. The children born of the marriage of Elias Brownawell and wife were: Oliver J. F.; Simon D., living in Middlesex township; George Edward. living in Perry county; William Henry, killed in Illinois, falling from a building and breaking his neck, he being a carpenter by trade; Joseph C., living at Harrisburg; Sarah S., living in Perry county; Mary Elizabeth, living in Shepherdstown; Amanda Rebecca, living at Carlisle; Eleanor, living at Carlisle; Albert, living at Philadelphia; and two children who died in infancy.

Oliver J. F. Brownawell was born in Middlesex township, Cumberland county, Sept. 13, 1835, and received his education in the primitive schools of his day, working upon the farm during the summer months, and learning the trade of a carpenter. Like so many young men of his time, when he was ready to start out on his life work, he married, his choice being Miss Mary Ann Kunkle, daughter of George Kunkle.

After his marriage, Mr. Brownawell, located in Middlesex township, and was succeeding nicely in his work, when the call came from the President for troops, and so Sept. 8, 1862, he enlisted at Mechanicsburg in Company G, 84th P. V. I. being one of the first men in the regiment, and was mustered in at Harrisburg. He served almost three years as a part of the Army of the Potomac, and later under General Grant. During all that time Mr. Brownawell was never wounded, but became ill and was in the hospital for a long time. Finally he was mustered out at Washington, D. C., in 1865, and returned home to Middlesex township. The following five years were spent there, but in 1873, he removed to Monroe township, and purchased a small farm of twenty acres, near Churchtown, and a four-acre tract of woodland. At present he is living on his farm, and is succeeding well. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Brownawell were: Charles F., deceased; Samuel O., of Monroe township; Murray J. and Newton A., of Churchtown; Stella J., who married Murray Bows; and Rena, wife of Wen Hartzler. In politics. Mr. Brownawell is a Democrat, but has never taken an active part in public affairs. He is a consistent member of the Lutheran Church of Churchtown, and is very popular in it, as he is throughout his neighborhood.

GEORGE KUNKLE, father of Mrs. Brownawell, was born in Perry county. In his youth he learned the shoe making trade, following it a number of years, when he engaged in farming, and thus continued until he was eighty years of age, when he retired. His death occurred in Middlesex township four years later. He was a man of high standing in his community, and was sincerely respected. For his first wife he married Sallie Rousch, who died in Perry county, leaving the following children: John; liza ; Margaret; Sarah; George; Mary (Mrs. Brownawell); Adeline and Samuel (twins), the latter killed during the Civil war. After the death of his first wife Mr. Kunkle married her sister, who bore him three children and died aged seventy. The children of the second union were: Wilhelmina, living at Greason; and Levi and Albert H., who both died at Carlisle.