William Brown ^{2 3 4 5 6}

   FamilySearch ID: M1Z1-15M.

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Arrival: 1816, in , Harrison, OH. ⁷

2. Census in 1820 in Freeport, Harrison, OH. ⁸ The 1820 census recorded John Brown with this household:
Free White Persons - Males - Under 10: 2
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 15: 2
Free White Persons - Males - 16 thru 25: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 45 and over: 1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 10: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 15: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 16 thru 25: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 45 and over : 1
Number of Persons - Engaged in Agriculture: 3.

3. Census in 1830 in Shawnee Township, Fountain, IN. ⁹ In 1830 William age 16 is likely living with his older brother John.
The 1830 census recorded John Brown's household with:
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19: 2
Free White Persons - Males - 30 thru 39: 1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: 3
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9: 3
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39: 1
Persons Employed in Agriculture: 4.

4. Census in 1840 in Shawnee Township, Fountain, IN. ¹⁰ ---
The 1840 census listed 3 Brown brothers as neighors.
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The 1840 census recorded William Brown with this household:
Males - 20 thru 29: 1
Females - 20 thru 29: 1
Persons Employed in Agriculture: 1
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Next listed is John Brown with this household:
Males - 10 thru 14: 1
Males - 15 thru 19: 2
Males - 30 thru 39: 1
Females - Under 5: 3
Females - 5 thru 9: 3
Females - 10 thru 14: 2
Females - 30 thru 39: 1
Persons Employed in Agriculture: 4
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Next listed is Jacob Brown with this household:
Males - Under 5: 1
Males - 30 thru 39: 1
Females - Under 5: 1
Females - 20 thru 29: 1
Persons Employed in Agriculture: 1.

5. Census in 1850 in Shawnee Township, Fountain, IN. ¹¹ The 1850 census recorded William Brown, farmer, 37, living with wife May, 33; Loiusa, 9; Minerva, 8; Jasper, 5, Matilda, 3, and Samuel, 1. Everyone was born in Indiana except William in Pennsylvania. William's real estate was valued at $3000.

6. Census in 1860 in Shawnee Township, Fountain, IN. ¹² The 1860 census recorded William Brown, farmer, 45, living with wife Mary, 40; Manerva, 18; Jasper, 16; Matilda, 14; Samuel, 11; Benjamin, 9; Beeker, 7; and Mary, 1. Everyone was born in Indiana except William in Pennsylvania and his wife Mary in Virginia. William's real estate was valued at $10,000 and personal estate $2500. The post office was Robroay & Portland.
Next door is William and Mary's daughter, Louisa, 19, living with her husband Smith Coffing, farmer, 23, and their son Jasper M., 4 months old. They were born in Indiana. Smith's real estate is $1800 and personal estate $250.
.

7. Census in 1870 in Shawnee Township, Fountain, IN. ¹³ The 1870 census recorded William Brown, farmer, 56, living with wife Mary, 50; Benjm, 17, Minerva, 28; Beeker, 15; and Mary, 12. Wiliam was born in Pennsylvania, the others in Indiana. His real estate was valued $9600 and personal estate $2100. The post office was Attica. Next door is William's brother Jacob Brown, retired farmer, 59, born in Pennsylvania, living with wife Susanna Brown, 58, born in Indiana. Jacob had no real estate value and his personal estate was $2400.

8. Census in 1880 in Shawnee Township, Fountain, IN. ¹⁴ The 1880 census recorded William Brown, farmer, 64, living with wife Mary, 60; son Beeker Brown, farmer, 25; daughter Mary A. Brown, 21; and a boarder, Lewis Warner, 30. William and his parents were born in Pennsylvania. The others were born in Indiana. The elder Mary's parents were born in North Carolina. On the same census page is William and Mary's daughter Louisa, 40, with her husband Smith Coffing and their children.

9. Book: Portrait and Biographical Record of Montgomery, Parke and Fountain Counties, Indiana: William Brown, 1893. ⁷
Among the honored pioneers of Fountain County who are still living amid the scenes of their early labors are the venerable William Brown and his wife, who have a beautiful home on Sec. 2, Shawnee Township, and it gives us pleasure to represent them in this volume.

William Brown was born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Aug 12, 1814. His father was the Rev. John Brown, also a native of PA and of German antecedents. He was educated for the ministry and preached a number of years. In 1816 he removed to Harrison Co, Ohio whence he came to this state with his family and soon after died in Bartholomew County where he had settled.

The family then went to Floyd County and subsequently to Tippecanoe County. Our subject was but eight when his father died. He grew to a stalwart, active manhood in this state and seven years after the family settled in Tippecanoe he took unto himself a wife in the person of Miss Mary Baker [sic - should be Beeker] to whom he was married Nov 14, 1839, Rev. James Griffiths performing the ceremony that united them in a true marriage, whose golden anniversary marking a happy wedded life of half a century was celebrated by their many friends with great rejoicing in 1889.

Mrs. Brown was born in Washington County this state August 9, 1819 and when eight her parents removed to Tippecanoe County and settled near the Indian battleground made famous by Gen. Harrison's victorious encounter with the Indians on that spot. The redmen were numerous in that vicinity when the Bakers established themselves among the pioneers of the county.

They were the parents of 10 children, 4 sons and six daughters, all of whom are living but two sons, the eldest member of the family being an aged sister a resident of Kansas who is past 95. To our subject and wife have been born the following: Louisa, wife of Smith Coffeny [sic - should be Coffing], a farmer of Shawnee Township; Minerva wife of Daniel Young, a farmer near Attica; Jasper, deceased; Matilda, wife of a Mr. Coffeny, a farmer in Shawnee Township; Samuel, deceased; Benjamin a farmer in this township; Beeker a farmer who makes his home with his parents and Mary, who is also at home.

When a young man Mr. Brown learned the trade of a carpenter and with the money that he earned at that calling he bought a 1/4 section of land in Fulton County which he traded for 80 acres on Sec 2, Shawnee a part of his present farm.

Immediately after marriage he and his bride and 5 other couples came here on horseback to establish their homes on Dopp's prairie, where they ever since lived. Our subject was well fitted for the pioneer life that lay behind him as he was energetic, keen, resolute and able-bodies and was well endowed with that business acumen and tenacity of purpose that lead to success in any walk of life.

He was more than ordinarily prospered, accumulating a handsome fortune that placed him among the wealthy men of the county while he was yet in the prime of life. He made all this himself with the exception of $900 as he was comparatively poor when he began life for himself. He at one time owned 1360 acres of land in Illinois but he has sold some and given some to each of his children to start them out in life until he has reduced his real estate to 109 acres which is a fruitful source of income as well as the money that he has at interest.

In the year 1882, Mr. Brown erected on the land he has reserved for his own use a large and fine-looking residence with all the modern conveniences, and within its walls he and his family enjoy the comforts of a pleasant and well-kept home.

For the long period of 60 years our subject has been connected with the United Brethren Church as one of its most consistent and honored members who has been an important factor in its upbuilding and for a number of years filled the office of Steward. His estimable wife is also a faithful member of that church. Politically he stands with the Democrats.

10. Census in 1900 in Shawnee Township, Fountain, IN. The 1900 census recorded William Brown, widowed, retired farmer, 87, born Aug 1813, living with son Beeker Brown, single, farmer, 46, Oct 1854; and daughter Mary A., single, house keeper, 41, Apr 1869. William and his parents were born in Pennsylvania. His children were born in Indiana.
On the same census page is William's son, Benjamin Brown, farmer, 48, Jun 1852, with his wife, Mary, 45, Jan 1854, and their son Elba E., 24, Apr 1876.

11. Cause of Death: old age, no disease, 17 Feb 1906, Covington, Fountain, IN. ⁶

12. Occupation: farmer on 17 Feb 1906 in Covington, Fountain, IN. ⁶

William married Mary "Jenny" Beeker, daughter of John Beeker and Christina Young, on 8 Dec 1839 in , Tippecanoe, IN.¹ (Mary "Jenny" Beeker was born on 19 Aug 1819 in , Washington, IN,^{7 15} died on 25 Dec 1896 in Attica, Fountain, IN ¹⁵ and was buried in Covington: Mount Hope Cemetery, Fountain, IN ¹⁵.)

  Noted events in their marriage were:

1. They have conflicting marriage information of 14 Nov 1839 and Tippecanoe Township, Tippecanoe, IN. ⁷