Читать книгу History of Westchester County, New York, Volume 3 - Группа авторов - Страница 62

This honored and highly esteemed citizen of North Salem township, Westchester county, was born July 12, 1822, on the farm where he still continues to reside. His great-grandfather, Samuel Brown, was born in 1734, in Stamford, England, and later emigrated to America, locating in Stamford, Connecticut. In 1772 he came to Delancy township, now known as North, Salem, in Westchester county. New York, where his death occurred, in 1815. His wife Susan, who was born March 28, 1737, lived to the extreme old age of one hundred and three years. Their children were Rebecca, Mrs. Abby Palmer, Susanna, Nathan, Prudence, Samuel W. , Mrs. McGillavry and Mrs. Lamb.

Nathan Brown, the grandfather of Francis D., was born in Connecticut February 20, 1767, and in early manhood married Miss Lobdell, by whom he had four children, — Mary, Thomas (father of our subject), Abby and Ann. For his second wife he married a Miss Allen, and they had one child, whom they named Susan. Nathan Brown and both his wives died in this county.

Thomas Brown, our subject's father, was born and reared on the old homestead where his son is now living, and throughout life engaged in agricultural pursuits there. He was one of the leading and prominent citizens of his community, was a soldier in the war of 1812, an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and died June 24, 1857, at the age of sixty-three years. In early life he married Miss Sally Williams, of Bedford, a daughter of James and Polly Williams, who were related to the Lounsberrys of this county. Mrs. Brown departed this life November 4, 1891, at the age of ninety-eight years. She was a devout Christian, kind and charitable at all times; and it is safe to say that she did more work in the Methodist Episcopal church than any other woman of the congregation to which she belonged. In her family were one son (our subject) and four daughters, all residents of North Salem township, the daughters being: Susan, the wife of Clark Lobdell; Mary, widow of Hiram Reynolds; Chloe, the widow of Charles Bloomer; and Clarissa, the wife of Martin Todd.

On the home farm Mr. Brown early became familiar with every department of farm work, and he is recognized as one of the most thorough and skillful agriculturists of his community. His literary education was obtained in the public schools and the old Salem Academy. At the age of twenty-seven he married Miss Almira P. Frost, of the same town, a daughter of Stedwell and Eliza (Fowler) Frost, both of whom died in that township. Mrs. Brown departed this life in 1865, leaving two children: Elbert D., and Mary E. , now the wife of James Colwell, of New York city, by whom she had one son, — Francis, deceased, and a daughter, Mary F. Elbert D. grew to manhood upon the home farm and February 20, 1878, married Miss Frances I. Stevens, of Delaware county. New York, a daughter of James W. and Catherine (Christie) Stevens. They have had four children, two of whom, Almira C. and Francis D., Jr., are living. Our subject was again married in 1868, his second union being with Miss Jane E. Landrine, of Tarrytown, this county. She died November 25, 1892, leaving no children.

In his political predilections Mr. Brown has always been a Democrat, and for the long period of twenty-four years he most efficiently served his fellow citizens in the capacity of road commissioner. He has always taken a most active part in church and Sunday-school work, as a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, being for half a century superintendent of the Sunday-school, and he is therefore well known throughout the country in this part of New York state for his efficiency in that line. Although seventy-six years of age he is still well preserved, for nature deals kindly with the man who abuses not her laws, and he has an extensive circle of friends and acquaintances who esteem him highly for his genuine worth.