John Brown    

JOHN BROWN. The first of the family of the late Mr. John Brown, of Washington township, and who died April 15, 1872, of whom there is any special record at hand was Andrew Brown, who was born in Ireland in 1759. He emigrated to America in 1779, and settled on West Conococheague Creek, in Franklin County, Pa. His wealth at that time consisted of one shilling. He remained there just long enough to make the money to bring him to Fayette County. When be came here he settled on Mill Run, one and a half miles east of Fayette City, where he bought a farm from Col. Edward Cook. He engaged in farming, and continued in that occupation all his life. April 24, 1788, he married Jane Bigham, of Westmoreland County, Pa. They had seven daughters and three sons. Of the children, Hester and Andrew died young; Elizabeth married Hugh C. Ford; Nancy died single; Polly married Capt. Duncan Campbell; Jane married John Moore; Martha C. died single; Margaret married James Torrance.

John was the seventh child, and the only one of the sons who grew to manhood. He was born April 1, 1805. His early life was passed upon his father’s farm. His opportunities for early education were limited, being confined to the common schools. The little learning he gathered there was supplemented by extensive reading in after-years. His father died in 1823, and the management of the farm devolved upon him. He proved himself a successful manager, and although a liberal giver to all benevolent causes, he added largely to what he inherited from his father. He was married Dec. 12, 1844, to Sarah H. Power, of Allegheny County, Pa. They had five children. Ada and Anna died at two years of age; Nannie J. died at the age of twenty; Mary Emma, married to M. M. Willson, of Westmoreland County. They have one child living, Andrew Brown Willson.

Andrew Brown, the only son, resides with his mother upon the old homestead. John Brown held the office of justice of the peace for a number of years. He was a man of peace. He rarely charged anything for his services, and always counseled an amicable settlement of difficulties between neighbors. He was for many years an active member and liberal supporter of the Rehoboth Presbyterian Church. His family are all members of the same communion. He left his family valuable possessions, a good name, lands, etc.

His family and friends bless his memory, and love to tell of his charities, gentleness, lowliness of heart, and many other Christian graces. His virtues were many.

Andrew Brown, Sr., was for fifty years an elder in the Presbyterian Church of Rehoboth. He died March 27, 1823. Jane, his wife, departed this life April 7, 1833, aged sixty-nine years.

History of Fayette County, Pennsylvania : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men Philadelphia: L.H. Everts & Co., 1882, page 827. View the image of this page online - Free Trial  Search Hundreds of 1880s-1890s Pennsylvania County History Books for biographies and historical information on your ancestors.  View the book page images on line and print them out for your genealogy file!  Free Access to the old history books - plus birth & death records, census images and ALL other records at ancestry.com

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