Contra Costa County CA Archives Obituaries.....Brown, Elam August 10, 1889 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/cafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Steve Harrison raleighwood@juno.com March 22, 2009, 7:46 am Contra Costa Semi-Weekly Gazette, August 14, 1889 “The Pioneer is at Rest. Death has within one brief week removed two of the most prominent and respected citizens of this county, members of the same family, father and son, while another was borne to his last resting place but three months since. Hon. Thomas A. Brown died on Monday, the 5th inst., and on Saturday last [August 10] his father, Hon. Elam Brown, closed his long and eventful life at his home near Lafayette. He had a shock of paralysis on Tuesday, from the effects of which he failed to rally, and he quietly passed away on Saturday afternoon, in the presence of his relatives who had been summoned to his bedside in anticipation of the event. Elam Brown was one of nature’s noblemen. During a life prolonged far beyond the limit usually attained by man, much of it passed amid the exciting scenes incident to frontier life, his sterling integrity of character and unflinching adherence to his convictions of right carried him unscathed through every temptation and gave him a commanding influence in whatever position he was placed. And yet with all his firmness and courage, proved on many a perilous occasion, he was one of the gentlest of men. He was an admirable conversationalist, and retained the clearness and vigor of his mind undiminished almost to the very close of life. No greater pleasure could be enjoyed than to listen to a narration of his adventures, told in his own modest way, yet with a vividness that made a very picture of the scenes he recounted. The history of such a man is worthy of preservation, both for the interest naturally attached to his varied experiences, and for the noble example he set of true manliness under all circumstances. It is a fortunate circumstance that he was induced some years since to write a brief sketch of his life, which was issued in pamphlet form at the Gazette office. Many incidents are thus preserved in authentic form that would otherwise have passed into oblivion. The edition was limited, being only intended for presentation to intimate friends, and the copies will now undoubtedly be cherished as treasures. From this work we condense the principal events of his life. Hon. Elam Brown was born in Herkimer county, New York, June 10, 1797. While yet an infant he was taken by his parents to Berkshire county, Mass. In 1804 they emigrated to Delaware county, Ohio. Here the subject of this notice remained until 1818, serving as a young soldier in the war of 1812. At the age of twenty-one he walked to St. Louis, a distance of five hundred miles. He subsequently passed some years in Illinois where he married. In 1836 he took up and cleared a farm on what was designated the Platte purchase, where his wife died. In 1846 he left with a [wagon] train to cross the plains for the Pacific Coast, and after encountering almost incredible hardships and dangers arrived in California in October of the same year, and proceeded at first to Santa Clara. At this time California was in a somewhat chaotic political condition, Gen. Fremont being then engaged in establishing American authority. Mr. Brown joined a company, participating in the various events of that period until hostilities creased. In 1847 he went into the San Antonio Redwoods, and eventually bought the Rancho Acalanes in this county, where he made his home as long as he lived. His ability and excellent judgment had not been unnoticed by his new fellow citizens, and he was elected a member of the Convention that framed the State Constitution, and also of the first two Legislatures. Mr. Brown was a pioneer of pioneers. His own and the family of Nathaniel Jones were the first Americans to settle within the present bounds of Contra Costa county. Here he has lived, honored and respected by all, and now that he has gone, he leaves a name that will always be associated with the virtues that adorn the character of an upright man. Throughout a long and busy life he beautifully exemplified the poet’s ideal: So live, that when thy summons comes to join The innumerable caravan, which moves To that mysterious realm, where each shall take His chamber in the silent halls of death, Though go not, like the quarry-slave at night, Scourged to his dungeon, but, sustained and soothed By an unfaltering trust, approach they grave Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams. The deceased was twice married, all his children being the issue of his first marriage. His second wife died some five years since, and lies in Alhambra cemetery, and by her side his own remains were deposited on Tuesday afternoon [August 13]. Funeral services were held in the church at Lafayette at 11 A.M., and a large number of his friends and neighbors followed his remains to where they were consigned to the embrace of mother earth.” END AND RELATED ARTICLES Contra Costa Semi-Weekly Gazette August 10, 1889 (Saturday) Page 3, Column 2 “Hon. Elam Brown of Lafayette was stricken with paralysis on Tuesday. At the last report he was somewhat better, but his great age renders this occurrence of serious import.” Contra Costa Semi-Weekly Gazette August 14, 1889 (Wednesday) Page 2, Column 3 “Died. BROWN – At his residence, near Lafayette, August 10, 1889, Hon. Elam Brown, aged 92 years and 2 months.” Additional Comments: Contra Costa Semi-Weekly Gazette (Martinez, California). August 14, 1889 (Wednesday). Page 3, Column 3. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/contracosta/obits/b/brown4031gob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/cafiles/ File size: 6.1 Kb