History of Union County, Ohio; its people, industries and institutions, Part 107

Author: Curry, W. L. (William Leontes), b. 1839
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind., B. F. Bowen & Co.
Number of Pages: 1322


USA > Ohio > Union County > History of Union County, Ohio; its people, industries and institutions > Part 107


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Silan H. Poling arrived in Union county, Ohio, with his parents on the day he was eighteen years of age and, consequently, most of his education was received in the schools of West Virginia. He remained at home until the spring of 1870, when he married and began farming for himself. He has a well improved farm of one hundred and six acres, while his wife owns ten acres and a half, giving them a total acreage of one hundred sixteen and one- half. He has engaged in general grain and stock raising and by judiciously dividing his attention between these two lines of activity he has made a very comfortable living for himself and family.


Silan H. Poling was married in the spring of 1870 to Philinda Parthe- more, a native of Union county .. Ohio. To this union four children have been born: Cora, the wife of Horance Laird; Sylvia, the wife of George Connolly ; Hubert, who married Mary Dever, and Orlyn, who married May Dunbar.


Politically, Mr. Poling has given his loyal support to the Republican party and has always taken an intelligent interest in the various political questions which have come up for his party's consideration. He has served as a member of the school board for his township and has always been active in advancing the educational interests of his township. The life which Mr. Poling has led stamps him as a man who has the interest of his community at heart and a man who is concerned with its welfare.


ROBERT S. FISH.


A farmer of Dover township, Union county, Ohio, who has long been connected with the history of his township, is Robert S. Fish, who has taken an active part in the life of his community along every line, and the fact that he has served as trustee of his township shows that his fellow citizens have confidence in his ability and integrity. As a farmer he ranks among the most progressive of the township and his farm is a tribute to his energy and integrity.


Robert S. Fish, the son of David and Elizabeth ( Wells) Fish, was born July 11. 1865, in Delaware county, Ohio. His father was one of the early


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settlers in Union county, coming to this county early in its history from his native county of Frederick, Maryland. David Fish and wife were the par- ents of six children: David H., deceased; Arbanus, deceased ; an infant, deceased ; James C., of Logan county, this state ; Robert S., of Union county, and John W., of Delaware county, Ohio.


Robert S. Fish attended the country schools of Scioto township, Dela- ware county, Ohio, and came with his parents to Union county about forty- five years ago. The family settled in Mill Creek township. and Robert at- tended the district schools there for a short time after his parents located in Union county. He remained at home until he reached the age of twenty-four and then began renting land and farming for himself in Mill Creek town- ship. He then moved to Paris township, where he rented for a time, after which he moved again to Claibourne township and located on a rented farm. He then returned to Mill Creek township and after living on rented land in that township for a few years he bought his present farm of fifty acres in Dover township, on the Sherman road, about three and three-fourths miles southeast of Dover. He has placed many improvements upon his farm since acquiring it, and by a system of intensive cultivation he has made it to yield a bountiful harvest year by year.


Mr. Fish was married September 9, 1893, to Rosella Clarke, the daugh- ter of Hamilton and Jane ( Pennypacker ) Clarke. Mr. and Mrs. Clarke were both born in Delaware county, Ohio, and are still living there. Mr. Fish and his wife are the parents of three children, one of whom is living, Hamil- ton. Opal S. and one other child died in infancy. Hamilton is attending the public schools of his township.


Mr. Fish and his wife are loyal and consistent members of the Christ- ian church. Politically, he is a Democrat, although he is not a partisan by any means, but reserves the right to cast his ballot for the best man, irre- spective of their political affiliations, and believes that in so doing he is best serving the cause of good government. Fraternally. Mr. Fish is a member of the Knights of Pythias at Dover. The success which has come to him has been accomplished by hard work, and he feels that no small part of this is due to his wife. Mrs. Fish has been very much interested in the raising of Brown Leghorn chickens in the past few years, and has been remarkably suc- cessful in handling them. Mr. and Mrs. Fish are people of genial personality and have a host of friends throughout the township and county who admire them for their many good qualities.


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EDWIN H. JANUARY.


Among the farmers of Union county, Ohio, who are living on the farms where they were born may be mentioned Edwin H. January, whose whole career has been spent within the limits of this county. He has a fine farm of one hundred and one acres, four miles northeast of West Mansfield, where he has resided since his marriage. As a young man, Mr. January taught school for a few years and then engaged in farming and has made it his life's work.


Edwin H. January, the son of Nesbit and Sarah M. (Savage) January, was born on the farm where he is now residing, June 18, 1879. His father was born in Jamestown, Ohio, the son of James January, while his mother was a native of Union county. Of the thirteen children born to Nesbit January and wife, ten grew to maturity and eight are still living: Irena, the widow of Lafayette Ward; James, of Portland, Oregon; Ira, of Columbus, Ohio: Witcliff, of Richwood, Ohio; Mary, the wife of C. G. Ilby, of Colun- bus. Ohio; Reuben, a farmer of York township; Carolyn, of San Francisco, California ; Edwin H., of York township.


Nesbit January was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of his home neighborhood. His father died when he was very young and he had to support his mother and two sisters and, no doubt, this respon- sibility was one of the reasons of his success later in life. He became one of the most prominent citizens in Union county and at the time of his death, July 16, 1906, he owned a farm of two hundred acres in York township, all of which was the direct result of his own efforts. He was an extensive stock raiser and a man who always had the interest of his community at heart. He and his wife were devout members of the Disciples church and interested in all church work. In politics he gave his hearty support to the Republican party, although he never aspired for an office, yet was looked upon as a great factor in Republican politics in his county. His wife passed away several years previous to his death.


Edwin H. January was reared on his father's farm in York township. and after completing the common school course of his own township, he graduated from the Marysville high school and then became a student in the Ohio Northern University at Ada. After leaving college, he taught for three years in the district schools of this county and then decided to engage in farming. His well improved farm and the high grade of live stock which is found upon it indicate that he is a progressive farmer and thoroughly up- to-date in all of his methods.


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Mr. January was married June 19, 1907, to Nell Palmer, who was born in Texas, June 19, 1886, the daughter of Amos and AAnna ( Kirkpatrick ) Palmer, of Irish descent. Mrs. January was educated in Texas. Mr. Jan- uary and his wife have two children: Eliza, born in September, 1908, and died in September, 1910: and Pierre P .. born September 22, 1912.


In politics, Mr. January is identified with the Republican party and has been active in loeal political matters, although never a candidate for public office. Mrs. January is a member of the Christian church and while Mr. January is not a member of the church, yet he contributes generously of his means to its support.


LESTER HERBERT HOLYCROSS.


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For more than three-quarters of a century the Holycross family have been residents of Union county, Ohio, and the family is worthily represented by Lester Herbert Holycross, a prosperous and substantial farmer now living in Darby township. His farm is well improved in every respect and is one of the most attractive country homes in the county. Mr. Holycross has devoted all his time and attention to farming and with a success which speaks well for his efforts. He has long been one of the most active and leading citizens in agricultural and stock raising interests in the county, and his labors have been a potent force in making this rich agricultural region one of the best in the whole state. He has carried on general farming and while he has pros- pered he has also found time and ample opportunity to assist in the material and civic development of his county.


Lester H. Holycross, the son of Samuel Bradford and Elizabeth Ariette ( Bidwell ) Holycross, was born July 8. 1867. on his present farm in Darby township, Union county. Samuel Holycross was the son of David and Phoebe (Fenner ) Holycross. natives of Virginia and Connecticut, respectively. Sam- uel Holycross was born in Madison county, this state, and moved with his parents to Union county when but three years of age. He was married September 3, 1865, and reared a family of three children: Lester H., of Darby township; Clifton, deceased, and Ida, who married A. L. Scheiblich. Ida has one daughter. Elizabeth, who is now in school.


Mr. Holycross received all of his education in the schools of Union county, and early in life decided that he would follow the vocation of a farmer. He remained at home until he was married and then began farm-


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ing on his present farm in Darby township. He has one hundred and tliirty-four acres near Milford Center and a farm of two hundred and thirty- nine acres near Plain City. His farms are both kept in a high state of cultiva- tion and are equipped with every modern convenience for successful agricul- ture. He is an extensive stock raiser, and handles only the best grades of stock, having found by experience that it does not pay to keep any but the best.


Mr. Holycross was married February 28, 1895, to Althea Worthington, the daughter of John and Candace ( Smith) Worthington, and to this union have been born three children, Candace, Clifton and Wendell. Mrs. Holy- cross' father was a native of Connecticut, and her mother of Madison county, Ohio. Mr. Worthington died in 1908 and Mrs. Worthington died in 1883.


Politically, Mr. Holycross is a Republican, but has never taken an active part in political matters. Mr. Holycross is a man who has shown good busi- ness qualities and in all of his financial dealings he has so conducted himself that he has won the hearty approbation of his fellow men. He is a worthy scion of one of the old and influential pioneer families of the county, and has kept untarnished the good name which his ancestors ever bore unsullied. He is a man of pleasing personality, who easily makes friends, and because of his splendid qualities of head and heart his friends are as numerous as his acquaintances.


SYLVANUS H. SKIDMORE.


For nearly sixty years Sylvanus H. Skidmore has been a resident of York township, Union county, Ohio. In this township he was born and here he has spent his life thus far. He is one of those sterling citizens who always stands for the best interests of the community in which they live, and it is safe to say that there is no more highly respected citizen in the township. He has been a life-long farmer and has met with excellent success in agricultural pursuits.


Sylvanus H. Skidmore, the son of Thomas and Hannah J. (Drake) Skidmore, was born in York township, Union county, Ohio, August 5, 1856. His father was born in Logan county, Ohio, February 13, 1825, and was a son of Joseph and Rebecca Skidmore. His mother was also a native of Logan county, her birth occurring in June, 1831, and she was the daughter of Chordy and Sarah Drake. To Thomas and Hannah J. ( Drake) Skidmore were born five children: Sarah E., born July 2, 1850, the wife of Alonzo Ballinger; Spain A., born November 20, 1852, a farmer of York township;


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Sylvanus H., born August 5, 1856; Roxanna, born July 7, 1863, the wife of Henry Powell; Eva M., born January 13, 1866, the widow of Willis Harvey.


Thomas Skidmore was one of five children born to his parents, Joseph and Rebecca ( Garwood) Skidmore, the other four being William M., Isaac M., John F. and Hope. The first wife of Joseph Skidmore died, and he then married Rebecca Whittaker, and to his second union seven children were born: Lydia J., Nancy L., Rebecca E., Lavina, Joseph, Franklin H. and Josiah C. Thomas Skidmore was reared in Logan county, Ohio, where his father had moved about 1817. On August 24, 1848, Thomas Skidmore was married to Hannah J. Drake, and in November, 1851, he moved from Logan county to Union county and settled in the western part of York town- ship, where he resided until his death. He had a fine farm of one hundred and eighty-five acres, on which he built a handsome country residence. He enlisted in February, 1865. in the One Hundred and Eighty-fifth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He and his wife were loyal members of the Baptist church.


Sylvanus H. Skidmore was reared on his father's farm in York town- ship, and remained at home until he was about twenty-four years of age, when he began to work out by the month on farms in his home neighbor- hood and married and moved to his own farm in York township in December, 1880. He now owns a well improved farm of ninety-four acres, on which he carries on a diversified system of farming.


Mr. Skidmore was married on October 10, 1880, to Mary J. Coons, a daughter of Brice and Almina ( Smith) Coons, natives of Union county, and to this union one daughter has been born, Bessie C., who is the wife of Paul Fallman, and has two children, Wendell M. and Harlin.


Mr. and Mrs. Skidmore are earnest and loyal members of the Baptist church at West Mansfield, and have always taken a very active part in all church and Sunday school work. Mr. Skidmore is now a deacon of the church, a trustee and has served as a Sunday school teacher and superin- tendent of the Sunday school for several years. He has been one of the most consistent attendants of the Sunday school of his church and now holds the Seven-Year Robert Raikes diploma signifying perfect attendance for that length of time and a Twenty-Year Robert Raikes diploma for perfect attend- ance. On January 1, 1915, he completed twenty years of regular attendance in the Sunday school of his church, a record which has seldom, if ever, been equaled in this county.


Politically. Mr. Skidmore is identified with the Republican party. but has never taken a prominent part in the political affairs of his township and


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county. He is the owner of fifty-three shares of one hundred dollars each in the Clark Grave Vault Company, of Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Skidmore is a broad-minded and public-spirited citizen, who has always been interested in supporting every movement for the upbuilding and advancement of his com- munity, and his influence has always been cast for all worthy measures, and by so doing he has won the regard of a large number of friends throughout the county where he has spent his whole career.


CHARLES W. CHAPPELL.


The career of Charles W. Chappell as a resident of Union county, Ohio, began in 1876, when he first located here. He has been actively identified with the history of Allen township since coming to this county and that he is held in high esteem by his fellow citizens is shown by the fact that he has been one of the township trustees for the past twenty-two years and is still an in- cumbent of this office.


Charles W. Chappell, the son of Thomas and Ann (Horn) Chappell. was born August 6, 1855, in Chenango county, New York. Both of his parents were natives of England and lived there several years after their marriage. most of their children being born in England. They came to the United States about 1851 and located in the state of New York, where they lived for many years. Both parents died in New Berlin, New York. Of the twelve children born to Thomas Chappell and wife, only Charles is now living.


The early training of Charles W. Chappell was received in Chenango county. New York, where he was baptized and reared in the Episcopal church. He remained at home until he was fifteen years of age and then came to Ohio and lived two years at New Lewisburg. He then came to Union county, where he now resides.


Mr. Chappell was married May 12, 1875, to Alice Ann Abraham, daugh- ter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert V. Abraham, of this county, and located in North Lewisburg the following year. To this union have been born eight children : Nora Ann; Charley, who has gone before: Robert, who married Grace M. Green December 27, 1905 ; Sarah Arminta, the wife of Joseph Miller : Charles Beatty, who married Minnie Irene Weller December 25, 1912: Ora Blanche, who was a student of the Deaf and Dumb School at Columbus. Ohio; Florence E., a graduate of the Ohio Northern University at Ada ; and


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Guy Mckinley, who was a student of the Allen Center high school, is still at home.


Mr. and Mrs. Chappell began their married life in North Lewisburg, where Mr. Chappell was engaged in the meat market and grocery business ; later he engaged in the livery business. In 1877 they moved to the farm. Through the earnest efforts of Mr. and Mrs. Chappell they have accumulated a well improved farm of eighty-one acres, which is a part of the Robert V. Abraham farm, where they carry on a general system of farming and stock raising.


Politically, Mr. Chappell gives his hearty support to the Progressive party and has always taken a deep interest in political matters. His record of twenty-two years of continuous service as trustee of his township cannot be equaled and is a glowing tribute to his worth as a citizen and his efficiency as a public official. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias at Marysville.


HENRY DORRETT GILL.


In a little log cabin on the corner of Ottawa and Clinton streets, Rich- wood. Ohio, there was born during the winter of 1848 a lad who was destined to become one of the prominent business men of Richwood, Ohio. The Gill family has been identified with the history of Richwood since 1835, and Henry Dorrett Gill has spent all of the sixty-six years of his life within the village where he was born. Most of his life has been spent in the buying and selling of grain and feed, and in this particular line of activity he has met with pronounced success. He has exercised good judgment and foresight in all of his business dealings, and by carefully attending to his varied inter- ests has met with material prosperity.


Henry Dorrett Gill, the son of Joshua S. and Eliza ( Haynes) Gill, was born in Richwood, December 22, 1848. His father was born in Baltimore. Maryland, and his mother in Licking county, Ohio. Joshua S. Gill came to Ohio with his parents when he was about six years of age and located in Fairfield county, where he grew to manhood. After his marriage he came to Richwood in 1835, and engaged in the manufacture of wooden bowls, although he followed farming at the same time. He bought a farm of seventy-two acres, the same now being occupied by the fair grounds, and on this farm he subsequently laid out the first and second additions to the village of Richwood. He was a justice of the peace for many years, and at the


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time of his death, was serving as mayor of Richwood. Joshua S. Gill died March 8. 1880, at the age of sixty-two, and his wife died in 1898, at the age of seventy-five. Joshua S. Gill and wife reared a family of seven sons: William, who died at the age of two: Franklin, deceased; Henry D., of Rich- wood : Joshua S .. Jr., of Columbus, Ohio: Thomas J., of Columbus ; Charles F., of Richwood: Edwin S., of Wenacha, Washington.


The paternal grandparents of Henry 1). Gill were Selmon and Henrietta ( Dorrett ) Gill, natives of Maryland and pioneer settlers in Fairfield county, Ohio. Later they moved to Iowa and located near Deverin. Lee county, and died there at an advanced age. They were the parents of several children, John S., William H., Edwin S., Ellen, Henrietta and Emma. The maternal grandparents of Henry D. Gill were Col. J. B. and Susan (Floyd ) Haynes. Colonel Haynes was born in Virginia, March 9. 1793, and his wife was born in the, same state, May 10, 1801. Colonel Haynes was in the War of 1812, and soon after that war, came to Ohio with his family and located in Licking county. In 1835 Colonel Haynes removed to Union county and settled in Richwood, where he lived until his death in 1869. In Richwood the Colonel kept a hotel and dealt in real estate. Seven children were born to Colonel Haynes and wife: Boni, James B., Thomas J., Benjamin L., Richard, Eliza and Susan.


Henry D. Gill has spent his entire life in Richwood. He attended the public schools and spent most of his boyhood days on the farm. Upon reach- ing manhood he engaged in the grain and feed business, and for twenty years gave most of his attention to that particular line of activity. He has extensive property interests, and for several years has been devoting his attention to looking after them. He rents sacks for threshing purposes dur- . ing the summer seasons.


Mr. Gill was married November 29, 1877, to Anna Francis, the daughter of James and Margaret (Gwatkin ) Francis, and to this union three children were born: Walter, Clarence and Albert. Walter died at the age of six with black diphtheria, and his brother, Clarence, died one week later at the age of three. Albert died at the age of thirteen.


Mrs. Gill was a native of England, her birth occurring at Deviza. Janu- ary 26, 1853. She was reared in London and came to America in 1871. at the age of eighteen with her parents and located near Woodstock, Ontario. She came to Richwood, Ohio, to visit a sister, and while there she met and became acquainted with Mr. Gill, whom she afterwards married. Her mother died in Woodstock, Canada, in 1890, and her father then came to Richwood, and later returned to England and died at Hastings, in 1908, at


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the age of eighty-two. Mr. Francis and his wife were the parents of several children : James, Harry, Walter, Clara, Edith, Fannie, Anne and Margaret.


Mr. Gill and his wife are loyal members of the Methodist Protestant church. Mr. Gill belongs to the Free and Accepted Masons, is a Republican in politics and was acting mayor of Richwood during the absence and inability of Mayor H. M. Wright to fulfill the duties of the office. He also has served as city marshal for two years.


EDWARD PRATT PORTER.


There was never the demand for skilled photographers that there is today and the man who has the requisite mechanical and artistic ability along this line is always assured of plenty of work. It is not too much to say that Edward P. Porter, of the firm of Porter & Biddle, ranks high among the artists of his state. His father before him was an artist of exceptional ability and he has inherited much of his father's talent. He has made this pro- fession his life work, starting to work in his father's gallery when a young man and devoting his whole life to the work.


Edward Pratt Porter, the son of W. S. and Mariah ( Pratt) Porter, was born August 23, 1857, in Cincinnati, Ohio. His father was born in New- port, Kentucky, and lived there most of his life, either in that city or in Cin- cinnati. His mother was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, and died while still a young woman. W. S. Porter died in 1900 and his wife in 1876.


W. S. Porter was one of the best photographers of his day and generation and one picture which he took in 1848 is now valued at ten thousand dollars and is the only one of its kind in existence. It is a panoramic view of Cin- cinnati made on silver plates, five by seven inches each, and measures four feet by eight feet framed. It has been shown at many art exhibitions throughout the United States and England and has been awarded no less than ten medals. His son particularly cherishes the medals which his father obtained on this picture in New York city and London, England.


Edward P. Porter was educated in Newport, Kentucky, and when still a young lad he worked with his father in the photograph business. His father being an expert, it was not long until the son knew all there was to be known about the business. He followed his profession in Newport, Ken- tucky, until he came to Marysville in 1910, and entered into partnership with Mr. Biddle. They now have the only up-to-date studio in Marysville and are


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prepared to do all kinds of photographic work. There have been many ad- vances made in the profession in the past few years and Mr. Porter prides himself on the fact that he keeps in close touch with everything pertaining to it, and the quality of his work at all times is sufficient proof that he does so. Many of the scenes illustrating this volume are the results of his handiwork and a large number of the best portraits in the biographical section were pro- duced in his studio. The publishers of the volume have found him a man thoroughly in touch with all that the photographic art demands and are pleased to acknowledge their indebtedness to him.


Mr. Porter was married November 10, 1911, to Grace Groves, of Urbana, Ohio. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church of Marysville and give to it their hearty support.


JOHN BROWN.


A sterling farmer and highly respected citizen of Allen township. Union county, Ohio, is John Brown, the proprietor of the "Sugar Grove Farm" of one hundred and thirty-two acres, located two miles north of Milford Cen- ter. Born in this county three score years ago, Mr. Brown has devoted all of his life to farming, and is essentially a self-made man. He rented for several years and during that time saved his money and eventually purchased his present farm. He is deserving of much credit for the success which has attended his efforts, and it is safe to say that there is no more highly respected citizen in the township where he has lived so many years.


John Brown, the son of Martha and Dorthal (Luchenbell) Brown, was born in Dover township, Union county, Ohio, December 23, 1854. His father was born in Maryland and his mother in Pennsylvania, but they were not married until after they came to Union county. Eleven children were born to Martin Brown and wife, seven of whom are still living: Mary, the wife of Francis McDonald, of Missouri; Elijah, a retired farmer of Milford Center ; Wilson, a farmer of Oklahoma; William, a farmer of Missouri; Martha, the wife of Charles Coyer, of Oklahoma; Anna, the wife of John Hinton, of Madison county. Ohio, and John, of Union county.


The childhood days of John Brown were spent on his father's farm in Dover township, and when only fourteen years of age, he left home to make his own way in the world. At that age he started to work out on farms in Union county by the month and so continued until his marriage. After his


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marriage he began to rent and for twenty-six years lived on one rented farm in Union township. He then purchased his present farm of one hundred and thirty-two acres and has the satisfaction of knowing that he has earned it. His farm gets the name of "Sugar Grove Farm" from the fact that he has three thousand sugar trees, from which he makes from three to four hun- dred gallons of maple syrup each year. He is an extensive stock raiser and handles registered Shorthorn cattle and Poland-China hogs.


Mr. Brown was married in July, 1878, to Abigail Miller. To this union three children have been born: Sylvia, Harry and Carrie K. Sylvia is a graduate of the Milford Center high school and is now the wife of Albert W. Downer, of Columbus, Ohio. Harry married Reviliah Clark, of Cham- paign county, and is a farmer in Union township, in this county. Carrie K. is a graduate of the Milford Center high school and now the wife of Joseph Harris, of Milford Center. Mr. Brown and his wife have one granddaugh- ter, Josephine. the daughter of Harry.


Fraternally, Mr. Brown is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and a past grand of his lodge at Darby. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias and is past chancellor and a member of the Grand Lodge of Ohio. Politically, he is a Democrat, but has never been an aspirant for any public office. Mr. Brown is a man of genial personality and has a large number of true friends who admire him for the honest life which he has led and for the success which has come to him as a result of his efforts.


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