Biography - E Brown
E. B. BROWN. One of the prosperous farmers of Greene county, widely and favorably known is E. B. Brown, who is living in Kane township. It was in this township that he was born on the 3d of August, 1865, his parents being S. E. and Matilda (Kirby) Brown, also natives of this county, the father's birth having occurred in Kane township and the mother's in Linder township. The paternal grandfather, Elijah Brown, was a native of North Carolina and emigrating westward to Illinois, he was favorably impressed with Greene county and its possibilities and prospects, and located within its borders, establishing his home in the northeastern section of Kane township, where he spent his remaining days. He was one of the representative men of his community at that time, interested in public affairs and aiding in the substantial development of his locality. He married Mary E. Scroggins, who was born in Olden county, Kentucky, on the 18th of January, 1818, their marriage being celebrated on the 30th of March, 1837, in Kane township. The Scroggins family had only been in this county a few months at that time and remained for but a few years, after which the parents returned to the south and died in Memphis, Tennessee. Mr. Brown took his bride to the old homestead on which he had located some years before. He began farming and continued the improvement of his property until 1842, when his death occurred. Their children were Sallie, who died at the age of five years; Mary, who died at the age of fifteen years; Samuel E., father of our subject; Mrs. Nancy Scrubie, who is living in Kansas City; George, who resides in Kiowa county, Kansas; Martha, who died at the age of two years; Adarene, now Mrs. Ashford, of Jefferson county, Illinois; and John, who is now living in Redlands, California.
Mrs. Elijah Brown still survives and makes her home with her grandson, E. B. Brown. She is a hale and hearty old lady possessing great energy. Her mother was Nancy English, a sister of Elisha English, the Indianapolis multi-millionaire. Revel Wharton, her great-grandfather in the maternal line, served in the Revolutionary war and was captured. Refusing to take the oath of allegiance to Great Britain he was then shot by some of the British troops. After her husband's death Mrs. Elijah Brown purchased the interests of her children in the estate and continued to manage her business affairs with great success and capability until about 1870. In the meantime she added to her land by the purchase of eighty acres. In the year mentioned she sold her property to her son Samuel E. Brown, not wishing it to be divided after her death. She has a very wide acquaintance in the county and is held in the highest esteem by all. She certainly did a mother's full part by her children, caring for them after the husband's death and capably controlling the business interests so as to give them a good home.
Samuel E. Brown, reared to the occupation of farming, continued to engage in agricultural pursuits until 1894. He always resided upon the old homestead and as before stated he purchased his property in 1870. He then continued its cultivation until 1894, when desiring to retire from active business life he removed to Carrollton. In his family were six children.
E. B. Brown, the eldest of the number acquired his education in the district schools and has always remained on the old Brown homestead. For fifteen years he has been manager of the property, comprising two hundred and forty acres of land, practically all under cultivation. This is particularly fine land, rich and arable, and owing to the care and labor he bestows upon it the fields are very productive and annually return to him golden harvests. He carries on diversified farming, raising annually large quantities of corn, and he also feeds and fattens stock for the market. Upon the place he has a fine residence, good and substantial barns, sheds and other outbuildings which are required in sheltering grain and stock, and much of the farm is surrounded by a hedge fence which is kept in good condition and adds to the attractive appearance of the place.
In September, 1894, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Brown and Miss Tina Mains, a native of Jersey county, Illinois, and a daughter of F. J. Mains, one of the old and respected citizens of that county. Their children are Helen and George. Mr. Brown is interested in matters of citizenship and assists in advancing progressive ideas concerning the county and its development. He has served in township offices, the duties of which he has discharged with promptness and fidelity. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons and in his life he exemplifies the beneficent spirit of the craft. His has been an honorable and useful career and in the county, where his entire life has been passed, he has gained many warm friends.
Extracted by Norma Hass from Past and Present of Greene County, Illinois, by Ed Miner, published in 1905, pages 443-444.
