FRANCIS A. BROWN
Francis A. Brown gravestone
(Photo by Vernon B. Paddock)
B. August 22, 1847 born in Illinois
D. February 25, 1856
Find A Grave memorial (click here)
- Father: Bidwell W. Brown born March 27, 1807 in Varona Anida Co, NY; Bidwell died October 20, 1890 in Geneva, Fillmore Co, NE; buried in Geneva Cemetery, Geneva, Fillmore Co, NE
According to the Nebraska Signal (Geneva NE) Thursday, November 14, 1940, page 2:
“COUNTY HISTORY
——–
Events and Names of People We
Found Recorded in Files
of Nebraska Signal
——–
Fifty Years Ago.
Bidwell W. Brown died at his home in Geneva at the age of eighty-three. He had lived in this county since 1873.”
According to the FindAGrave.com website, Memorial ID #83819139 by contributor “M. Jensen Seggerman”:
“DIED – Bidwell W. Brown departed from this life at his late residence in Geneva, Oct. 20, 1890. Aged 83 years, 6 months and 20 day. Obituary will appear next week. (Fillmore County Republican 22 OCT 1890 pg 3)
Died Bidwell W. Brown in Geneva Nebraska Oct. 20th 1890. Aged 83 years 6 months and 23 days. The subject of this sketch, – senior deacon of the 1st Baptist Church was born in Varona Anida Co. New York, March 27, 1807. When six years old he, with his parents moved to Byron Gennessee Co., when at the age of 23 he was converted and united with the Baptist Church, and on the 4th of July in the same year (1830) he received the ordinance of baptism at the hands of Rev. Coleman. October 1 1840 he was married to Miss Emaline Dann of Byron, who survives him. Three years later he and his wife came west and located in Aconomowoo Wis. In 1846 he moved to Crystal Lake, Ill. where he remained for 18 years; and then returned to the above named place in Wisconsin; where he helped to organize the First Baptist Church and became one of its first deacons. In the spring of 1873 he moved to Geneva, when it existed in little else than name. In May of the same year the First Baptist Church of this City was organized and he was again chosen one of the first deacons of a new church which he was instrumental in having organized. This office he filled with honor to the church and to himself until God said come up higher. Father Brown was gifted in prayer and speech, deep in experience; with a never failing faith in God, which enables him to triumph most gloriously at last. He leaves the wife of his youth, three sons, the church and a host of friends to mourn his loss. L. T. Fisher, Pastor.
Fillmore County Republican 12 NOV 1890 pg 3″
- Mother: Emeline D. (Dann) Brown born 1819 in Connecticut; Emeline died in 1892; buried in Geneva Cemetery, Geneva, Fillmore Co, NE
According to the FindAGrave.com website, Memorial #83819218 by contributor “M. Jensen Seggerman”:
“BROWN – Died. Mrs. Emaline Brown aged 73 years and 8 months, at her home in Geneva, Saturday night, January 14, 1893.
The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Carmichael, at the First Baptist church on Tuesday, January 17 at 2 o’clock p. m.
Three sons, Whitney, E. B. and A. J. Brown, residents of this city, survive her. Mrs. Brown moved to this county in March 1872 and with her husband and children settled on the farm now owned by Peter Brust, a short distance south of Geneva.
This family were among the first settlers of Fillmore county as well as the first in Geneva. Mrs. Brown was widely known and respected by all. (Fillmore County Republican 18 JAN 1893 pg 5)
Gravesite Details
The headstone has 1892 as DOD, the obituary is dated 1893 as DOD.”
- Siblings:
- Whitney E. Brown born June 11, 1841 in Byron, Genesee Co, NY; married Adelaide Chamberlain (1847-1939) in October 1865 in Oconomowoc WI; Whitney died December 26, 1918 in Geneva, Fillmore Co, NE; buried in Geneva Cemetery, Geneva, Fillmore Co, NE
According to the Nebraska State Journal (Lincoln NE) Saturday, December 28, 1918, page 5:
“Whitney E. Brown.
GENEVA, Neb., Dec. 27. – Whitney E. Brown, aged seventy-eight, died at his home in tish (sic) city yesterday morning, after a protracted illness, deceased was a brother of A. J. Brown of Geneva and of E. B. Brown of University Place. Mr. Brown was in the union service during the civil war.”
- George Brown born about 1845 in New York
- Adoniram J. Brown born 1851 in Illinois; married Ella Matilda Lee (1806-1942); Adoniram died in October 23, 1927 in Ashland, Ashland County, WI; buried in Geneva Cemetery, Geneva, Fillmore Co, NE
According to the Nebraska State Journal (Lincoln NE) Monday, October 24, 1927, page 6:
“A. J. BROWN, GENEVA, DIES
——–
Horticulturist Expires at Ash-
land, Wis., Saturday Follow-
ing Illness.
GENEVA, Neb., Oct. 23 – Report has reached here of the death of A. J. Brown, resident and nursery man of Geneva, who died in an Ashland, Wis., hospital following an illness which attacked him while he was at his summer home at Mercer, Wis. Mr. Brown is survived by his wife an dtwo (sic) daughters, Mrs. Earl Brown, Lincoln; Miss Pearl Brown, Geneva, and two sons, Guy of Geneva, and George of Schenectady, N. Y.
Mr. Brown came to Nebraska in 1872. In the late eighties he established his nursery in Geneva, the same year in which Peter Youngers, Exeter, Neb., his associate in the business later, was also building one.
The body is being brought back to Geneva and services will be held here Tuesday.”
According to the Lincoln Star (Lincoln NE) Monday, October 24, 1927, page 2:
“EARLY NEBRASKA
RESIDENT DIES
——–
A. J. Brown, Former
President State Horti-
cultural Society.
——–
GENEVA, Neb., Oct. 24 – A. J. Brown, former Geneva nursery man who at one time was president of the state horticultural society, died Saturday, at Ashland, Wis., according to word received here. He was taken ill about two months ago while at his summer home near Mercer, Wis., and was confined in the hospital at Ashland from then until his death. The body was brought to Geneva today and the funeral will be held at the home Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock.
He is survived by his wife; two daughters, Mrs. Earl John of Lincoln and Miss Pearl Brown of Geneva, and two sons, Guy of Geneva and George of Schnectady, N. Y.
Mr. Brown was born in Lake county, Illinois, in 1851 and came to Nebraska in 1872. In the late 80s he established a nursery in Geneva. Later he formed a partnership with Peter Youngers, who died six years ago at his summer home in Wisconsin. Mr. Brown retired from business several years ago.
Years ago Mr. Brown was chosen by the Burlington to plant all the trees along its right of way between Hastings and Lincoln.”
- Egbert B. Brown born December 14, 1853 in Lake Co, IL; married Lona M. Stanard (?-1942) on August 23, 1883 in Geneva, NE; Egbert died August 6, 1919 in University Place, Lancaster Co, NE; buried in Geneva Cemetery, Geneva, Fillmore Co, NE
According to the Nebraska Signal (Geneva NE) Thursday, August 7, 1919, page 8:
“Death of Egbert Brown
Egbert Brown died at his home at University Place Tuesday morning, August 5, 1919. Mr. Brown had been in poor health for several months. He was an old time resident of Geneva and had a large circle of friends here.
The funeral service was held at Lincoln this morning and the body is being brought to Geneva. The funeral party will arrive on the afternoon passenger and will go direct to the Geneva cemetery, where the interment will be.”
According to the Nebraska Signal (Geneva NE) Thursday, August 14, 1919, page 1:
“Death of Egbert Brown
Egbert Brown, a former Geneva resident, died at his home at University Place at 2 a. m. Tuesday, August 5, 1919, aged 65 years, 7 months and 22 days.
Mr. Brown was born in Illinois December 14, 1853. He came to Geneva in 1872 and made his home here until eleven years ago, when he and his wife moved to University Place. During his residence in Geneva he was employed in various business houses and gained a wide acquaintance. He was an active member of the Methodist church here and served as an officer for many years.
Mr. Brown was taken sick June 3 but after a week returned to his work, only to be taken more severely ill a few days later. For two months he made a hard fight against the disease which had fastened itself upon him. A trained nurse and three physicians did all that could be done to combat the trouble, but to no avail. Mr. Brown was bookkeeper for the Claflin Printing Co. at University Place and was also serving as city treasurer. He served a financial secretary of the Methodist church there for a number of years.
Mr. Brown leaves his wife and one brother, A. J. Brown of Geneva. Funeral services were held at the Methodist church at University Place at 9:30 a. m. Saturday, August 9, and the body was brought to Geneva for interment.”
Additional Information:
According to the 1850 U.S. Census for the Town of Algonquin, Lake County, IL, the household members were:
“B W Brown, age 42, Occupation: Farmer, born in New York; Emiline Brown, age 30, born in Connecticut; Whitney Brown, age 9, born in New York; George Brown, age 5, born in New York; Francis Brown, age 3, born in Illinois”
According to the 1860 U.S. Census for the Town of Avon, Lake County, IL with a Fox Lake Post Office, the household members were:
“B Brown, age 50, Occupation: 50, born in New York; Emeline Brown, age 40, born in Connecticut; Whitney Brown, age 19, Occupation: Farmer, born in Illinois; George Brown, age 18, Occupation: Farmer, born in Illinois; A Brown, age 11, born in Illinois; E. Brown, age 6, born in Illinois; D Carpenter, age 17, Occupation; Servant, born in New York; L Faulkner, age 1, born in Illinois”
(NOTE: Francis’ parents, Bidwell Brown and Emeline (Dann) Brown married on October 1, 1840. In 1843, they moved to Oconomowoc, WI. Then in 1846 they moved to Crystal Lake, McHenry County, IL. According to the 1850 U.S. Census, Bidwell, a farmer, and his family lived in the Town of Algonquin, McHenry Co, IL that included his wife, Emiline and children: Whitney, George and Francis. According to the 1860 U.S. Federal Census, Bidwell and his family lived in Avon Township, Fox Lake post office. Listed on the 1860 census was Emeline, Whitney, George, A (Adoniram) and E (Egbert). Considering Bidwell’s son, Francis, had died in 1856, the family was living in Avon Township, Lake County at the time. By 1870 the census indicates Bidwell, Emeline, Adoniram and Egbert lived in the Town of Summit, Waukesha County in WI. In 1873 the family moved to Geneva, Fillmore County, NE.)