| WILLIAM E. BROWN AND BARBARA
GRIES BROWN
THE
ONLY REMEMBRANCE I HAVE OF W. E. IS WHEN HE WAS LYING "IN STATE" AT
BARBARA'S HOUSE. I WAS ONLY 31/2 YEARS OLD, BUT I REMEMBER SOMEONE
LIFTING ME UP TO SEE HIS FACE. HIS CASKET WAS PLACED IN THE BIG BAY
WINDOW.
I DO REMEMBER BARBARA A LITTLE BIT. I REMEMBER THE HUGE COOKIES SHE
MADE US; AND SHE WOULD MAKE DOUGHNUTS FROM LEFTOVER BREAD DOUGH.
THEY WERE ALSO BIG AND LOADED WITH BUTTER AND SUGAR. THEY WERE
PROBABLY NOT AS BIG AS I WAS SMALL.
SHE WOULD MAKE THEM AT OUR HOUSE, AND THEY WERE FRESH
AND WARM WHEN I GOT HOME FROM SCHOOL. SHE WAS ALWAYS CAREFUL TO SEE
THAT EACH CHILD GOT ONE. IF THE BOYS GOT THERE FIRST, I COULD HAVE
BEEN LEFT OUT.
THE OLDER KIDS TELL OF HER MEETING THEM AT THE END OF
HER DRIVEWAY WITH HER LONG WHITE APRON FLAPPING, CARRYING HUGE,
THICK SLICES OF HOMEMADE BREAD WITH BUTTER AND SUGAR ON THEM. HUNGRY
KIDS DON'T FORGET THAT!
MAMA SAID SHE WOULD OFTEN COME TO OUR PLACE AND HELP
WITH DINNER FOR HARVEST MEN, AND SHE WOULD COME AT LAUNDRY TIME TO
COOK WHILE MAMA WASHED ON THE WASHBOARD. MAMA LOVED HER COMPANY, AND
GRANDMA LOVED MAMA-AND HER KIDS.
AS FOR MY AUNTS AND UNCLES ON THE BROWN SIDE, THEY WERE
A DELIGHT! THEY WERE STRONG, FUNNY, HELPFUL, AND VISITED THE FARM A
LOT. THEY BROUGHT GOOD FOOD AND PIES.
THEY HELD US YOUNGER ONES ON THERE LAPS, KIDDED US,
LOVED US, AND GAVE US GOOD MEMORIES. WE HAD A PICNIC AREA DOWN ON
THE CREEK. THEY WOULD TAKE FOOD AND UTENSILS DOWN THERE, MAKE A HUGE
BONFIRE, AND THE WOMEN WADED IN THE CREEK, GOT THE FOOD READY AND
WATCHED THE KIDS. THAT WAS A CHORE IN ITSELF AS WE WERE ALL YOUNG,
HAPPY AND ADVENTURESOME.
THE MEN WOULD STRIP TO THE WAIST, GO INTO THE CREEK AND
SEINE FOR FISH. AFTER THE FISH WERE , COOKED, WE HAD A BIG DINNER
(SOMETIMES FROM THE FOOD THE WOMEN BROUGHT. HA) BUT SOMETIMES THEY
FOUND CATFISH UNDER ROCKS, AND HELPED WITH THE MENU.
ONE THING I REMEMBER ABOUT A PICNIC: IT WAS FALL, AND
THE HORSEWEEDS WERE VERY THICK IN SIZE. WE USED THEM FOR SWORDS, BUT
CAUGHT THEM ON FIRE TO MAKE IT MORE GRUESOME. I SOMEHOW GOT ONE TOO
CLOSE, IT BURNED MY NECK AND IT HURT. I ENJOYED THE ATTENTION I GOT;
WE WENT TO THE HOUSE, AND I GOT RUBBED WITH UNGUNTINE, I STILL
HAVE A SCAR.
I STAYED IN TOWN WITH OTTO AND HIS SECOND WIFE,
VALERIA, FOR A WHILE WHEN MARY LOU HAD SCARLET FEVER. SHE MADE ME
WEAR LONG, COTTON HOSE AND PUT MY HAIR UP IN RAGS TO MAKE IT CURLY.
UGH!! I ALSO ROLLED CIGARETTES FROM PAPERS AND LOOSE TOBACCO FOR
UNCLE OTTO. HE AND HIS FIRST WIFE LOST A BABY AT BIRTH, AND THEY
BURIED IT UNDER A CEDAR TREE IN THE PASTURE, UP A LITTLE GRADE FROM
W. E.'S HOUSE. I LOOKED AT THAT TREE A LOT, AND NOW IT IS GONE, TOO.
UNCLE HENRY ASKED THE FAMILY TO COME TO HIS HOUSE AND
"HEAR" THE JOE LOUIS - SCHMELLING FIGHT ON THE RADIO. ELECTRICITY HAD
NOT COME OUT THAT FAR YET. AUNT MAY SERVED US ICE CREAM. I ENJOYED
GOING BACK TO HIS FARM DURING OUR REUNION IN 1993, SEEING ALL THE
BUILDINGS, BARN, ETC., JUST BEFORE THEY TORE IT ALL DOWN. THE ALF
BROWN PLACE WAS GONE, TOO.
FLORENCE AND HER DAUGHTER, DOROTHEA CAME, AND DOROTHEA
PLAYED RAGTIME ON THE OLD PIANO. SO FUN!
AUNT ESTHER WAS A FAVORITE. SHE LOANED ME DRESSES FOR
SPECIAL OCCASIONS, LET ME BATHE IN HER INSIDE BATHTUB, AND I THOUGHT
HER HOUSE WAS BEAUTIFUL, BIG AND HAD LOVELY FURNITURE. SITTING IN
HER TINY, AIRY KITCHENETTE, EATING A SNACK, WAS LIKE ENJOYING A TIME
IN FAIRYLAND. |
|
William E. Brown, who is one of the most influential of the farmers
of Cowley County, Kansas, owns 1,400 acres of the finest land in the
Grouse Valley, in addition to extensive pasture lands elsewhere. His
farm is under a high state of cultivation, is all well fenced and in
excellent condition, and his elegant home is acknowledged to be the
finest in his section. Mr. Brown was born in Sandusky County, Ohio,
October 28, 1854, and is a son of Valentine and Anna M. (Lawyer)
Brown.
Valentine Brown was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1830
(the name having been, originally, spelled Braun), and came to this
country at the age of nineteen years. He was a farmer by occupation,
for many years, and later became an Evangelical minister. He died in
September 1894. He had served several terms as justice of the peace.
His wife was born in Baden, Germany, November 11, 1828, and still
resides in Sandusky County, Ohio. She came to this country at an
early age and was united in marriage with Mr. Brown at Buffalo, New
York. They became the parents of four children, two of whom died in
infancy. Those living are William E. and Emma (Barnhope), who is
living on the old homestead in Ohio. William E. has four cousins
living in this country, but the remainder of his relatives are in
Germany.
William E. Brown received his education training in the
public schools of Ohio, and in the normal school in Seneca county,
Ohio. He first, worked upon the farm and remained at home after
reaching his majority. He was never far from his home until after
his removal to Kansas, in July 1884. He located in Windsor township,
Cowley county, and purchased the farm in section 21, township 31,
range 7 east, which was first preempted by John Tull, and by him
sold to Mr. James, of whom Mr. Brown purchased it. He brought with
him some fine thoroughbred stock, including Hereford cattle and
Poland China stock, He built a large new barn, and resided on the
property with his family, until July, 1900, when he bought the S. M.
Fall property one of the best improved farms in the county. It
comprises 560 acres, which with the 840 acres he had previously
acquired, makes a farm of 1,400 acres, lying in the Grouse Valley.
Of the 840 acres mentioned, 300 acres were obtained of Mr. James;
120 acres - part of the old Wilkins place - from D. L. Snowden; and
240 acres, from the Clover estate. In addition to this he owns 600
acres below Cambridge, which he purchased of Thomas Eaton, and 1,200
acres in the Flint Hills, to which various parties have held title
to which was acquired by Mr. Brown through loan companies. He
handles stock largely, and has about 300 head of horses and cattle.
He has 300 acres fenced, hog-tight, on the home farm, this having
been done by the former owner. The buildings are of comfortable
size, well built and of good appearance, and show to good advantage
from the road, as they are located upon a rise of ground. The
beautiful home is surrounded by well kept grounds, with a good drive
leading up to it from the road, and the fencing is largely of stone.
Mr. Brown has a basement barn, 34 by 50 feet, in dimensions, and
well arranged. He has 20 acres in "fruit on his two farms, on one of
which resides one of his sons. He has 120 acres planted in alfalfa,
and has been very successful in its culture. The farm is drained by
Grouse Creek, and the water supply is furnished by wells, from 12 to
16 feet deep.
Mr. Brown was united in wedlock with Barbara Gries, in
Ohio. She was born in September 1856, in Erie County, New York, and
is a daughter of George and Barbara (Mitzel) Gries. She was one of
six children, namely: George, who resides in Wood county, Ohio;
Barbara; Libbie (Roush), of Michigan; Andrew, who lives in Sandusky
county, Ohio; and Edward and Jacob, twins, whose home is in Ohio.
Her parents moved to Ohio when she was nine years of age, and, both
are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Brown became the parents of 10
children, as follows: George Valentine; William Otto; Amelia; Henry
E.; Harvey A.; Ida May; Alfred; R.; Florence F.; Bessie Esther, and
Willis V. George Valentine died at the age of two years. William
Otto is in partnership with his father, and resides upon the
latter's original Cowley County farm; he married Emma Hartle, a
daughter of Samuel Hartle, Jr., of Delaware County, Indiana. Amelia
died at the age of two, Ida May is fourteen years old. In politics,
Mr. Brown is a Populist, and has served as township trustee and
clerk. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows lodge at Burden; the Ancient Order of United Workmen lodge
at Cambridge (of which his son, Henry E. is also a member); and the
Modern Woodmen of America, to which order his son, William Otto,
also belongs. Religiously, Mr. Brown is a member of the Evangelical
Association, and attends church at Cambridge. His portrait
accompanies this sketch. |
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