Biography - BENJAMIN H. BROWN

Benjamin H. Brown, one of the prominent agriculturists of Polk township, Macoupin County, who resides upon his well cultivated farm of 83-1/2 acres, situated, in section 4, was born December 17, 1857, in Jersey County, Illinois, and is a son of William and Rhoda L. E. (Bassham) Brown.

William Brown was born January 8, 1829, in Jackson County, Tennessee, and is a son of Henderson and Sarah (Birdwell) Brown. Henderson Brown was born in Virginia in 1802, and was a son of Thomas Brown, who moved to Tennessee when Henderson was six months old. Thomas Brown, our subject's great-grandfather was a large planter, but it is related of him that he never bought but one slave, that being his housekeeper. The family is a notable one for longevity, Thomas Brown living to the age of 96 years, Ills son Henderson dying August 15, 1898, aged 97 years, and the father of our subject, still hale and hearty at the age of 75 years. William Brown came from Tennessee to Illinois in 1856, prior to this (in 1852) having married a daughter of Meredith A. Bassham, a prominent farmer of Jackson County, Tennessee. She died November 6, 1886, aged 53 years, leaving three children, namely: Curtis M., born in Tennessee, who married Rebecca Shane and is now engaged in farming in Greene County, Illinois; Benjamin, of this sketch; and John M., residing in Colorado, who married Bella Stultz and has four children. After coming to this State, William Brown engaged in farming until 1882, when he purchased a farm in Kansas, which he sold at a later date and returned to Illinois.

Benjamin H. Brown received his education in Macoupin County and he has passed his life here, engaged in agricultural pursuits. He has occupied his present farm since 1900, it being one well adapted to farming and stock raising, and here Mr. Brown has met with deserved success.

Mr. Brown was married to Maud M. Jackson, who is a daughter of George and Mary (Morris) Jackson. They have one daughter, Minnie, who was born October 5, 1879, and is the wife of George Nixon, who is a son of George Nixon, a very prominent farmer of Bird township, Macoupin County.

Fraternally, Mr. Brown belongs to the Mutual Protective League. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party. In religious views he is a Baptist. Mr. Brown is an honest, upright citizen and a good farmer, and he commands the respect of all who know him.

Extracted 2018 May 04 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 48-49.