MARTIN BROWN, farmer, P. O. Thebes. Probably the oldest native born resident in Thebes Precinct is the gentleman of whom this is a brief sketch, and who was born September 9, 1834, in this county, the fourth of thirteen children. He is a son of David and Rebecca Brown, who were among the earliest settlers in that section of the county, coming to Alexander County about 1830. The father died in 1865, at an advanced age. Mr. Brown received his education in the schools of this county. He helped his father at home until his twentieth birthday, and then commenced life on a tract of Congress land in Section 7, Township 15, Range 2. On that farm he lived until 1876, and then came to his present location of 160 acres in Section 15, Range 15, Township 3. Besides the home farm, he also owns 140 acres in Section 14 and 11, Township 15, Range 3; forty acres in Section 15, Township 15, Range 3; 200 acres in Section 2, Township 15, Range 3; and 320 acres in Section 27, Township 15, Range 3. He has about 350 acres in cultivation. Besides his large farms, he is also associated with his son Alfred, in a large saw mill about four miles from Thebes, and with his son William in a steam flouring mill in Thebes. Mr. Brown was married, April 30, 1851, to Elizabeth Durham, a native of this county, and a daughter of John Durham, also one of the pioneers of that section. This lady was born February 22, 1834, and is the mother of Alfred, William, Martha (wife of William Bracken, of Thebes Precinct), Henry, Ulysses S., Martin and Thomas L. Mr. Brown was County Commissioner from 1876 to 1879, and has also served as Township Treasurer and Trustee, and School Director. In politics, he is a Republican.
Extracted 29 Mar 2017 by Norma Hass from 1883 History of Alexander, Union, and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, page 229.
| Cape Girardeau MO |
Union | |
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Pulaski | |
| Scott MO | Mississippi MO | Ballard KY |
