Contra Costa County CA Archives Obituaries.....Brown, Thomas Allen August 5, 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, 7:49 am Contra Costa Semi-Weekly Gazette, August 7, 1889 “DEATH OF HON. THOMAS A. BROWN On Monday forenoon [August 5] the announcement was made upon the street that Judge Thomas A. Brown was dead. He had long been an invalid, and the form of disease from which he was suffering rendered certain his early demise. It was known that he was rapidly failing, and his death might be expected at any moment, yet when the sad truth was promulgated it seemed sudden and hard to realize by those who had known him for many years and who were attached to him by the strongest ties of friendship and esteem. In the midst of an active life, four years ago, Judge Brown was stricken with paralysis while temporarily occupying the bench at Napa. It was at the time hoped and believed that the attack would result in but a brief incapacity for the discharge of his duties, and that he would soon again occupy the position he had so long and honorably filled. But as month after month passed on without the wished for improvement, his family and friends began to realize that the bright intellect was permanently clouded, and the power of speech would never return. His general health in other respects was good, and he bid fair to live many years, until some six months since, when a painful and fatal form of disease appeared that has just terminated his life. In the death of Judge Brown there is something more than a feeling of personal bereavement; there is a sense of public loss. He has been a resident of the county since 1849, and held the highest positions which it was in the power of his fellow citizens to confer, and at the time he was suddenly removed from the field of duty was Superior Judge of Contra Costa. The purity of his life, his integrity and eminent ability, will be remembered and endure as a lasting monument to his memory. Judge Brown possessed a warm heart and a generous disposition. No appeal in behalf of a worthy charity was ever made to him in vain, and his acts of quiet, unostentatious benevolence can hardly be enumerated. Some eight years since he became a member of Grace (Episcopal) Church in Martinez, and every act of his life was in harmony with the Christian profession he then made. During the long period of invalid seclusion he was not forgotten, and when occasionally on pleasant days he was taken out to enjoy the warm sunshine, the kind greetings and tender expressions of sympathy that were heard bore touching evidence of the high estimation in which he was held. The deceased was a pioneer of the State and of the coast. He came to Oregon in 1843. While there he issued a small newspaper, using a wooden press of home construction to make the impression. In 1847 he came to California on a visit, and removed here permanently in 1848, going to the Mission of San Jose. He after wards went to the mines, but remained only a short time. He settled in Martinez in 1849, where he has continuously resided ever since. He held the office of Alcalde of the District until 1850, when the county was organized, and he was elected County Clerk and Recorder. He has been successfully Supervisor, County Judge, Member of the Legislature and Superior Judge. He was a member of the Pioneer Society and one of the oldest and most prominent Masons in the county. He leaves a widow, and three sons, all grown to manhood’s estate. One sister, and his father, the venerable Elam Brown, are left to survive him. We desire the privilege of joining in the universal expressions of condolence with the bereaved family, that instinctively find utterance not only by those among whom he lived but else-where, for he was widely known and esteemed in the State and on the Pacific slope. Mere words of sympathy we know may seem cold and meaningless now, but when the sharp pangs of grief shall have been dulled by the merciful influence of time, they will realize how widely he was esteemed and how deeply he is lamented. The funeral will take place tomorrow (Thursday) [August 8] from his late residence, at 1 o’clock P.M.” END AND ADDITIONAL RELATED ARTICLES Contra Costa Semi-Weekly Gazette August 7, 1889 (Wednesday) Page 2, Column 3 “Died. BROWN – In Martinez, August 5th, 1889, Hon. Thomas A. Brown, aged 65 years, 9 months and 19 days.” Contra Costa Semi-Weekly Gazette August 10, 1889 (Saturday) Page 3, Column 1 “LAID TO REST. The funeral of the late Judge Thomas A. Brown was appointed for one o’clock P.M. on Thursday [August 8], and long before that hour people began to assemble near the family residence in order to participate in the last sad rites, and to testify by their presence the high esteem in which he was held. Many came from long distances, for he was widely known, and left friends wherever he had been. The casket was covered with beautiful floral offerings of appropriate design, the gifts of many friends. The services were conducted by Rev. Dr. Abercrombie, Rector of Grace Church, in accordance with the established form of the Episcopal Church. The choir rendered a chant of the burial service, “Lord, let me know mine end and the number of my days,” and a hymn, “Just As I Am Without One Plea,” and at the conclusion of the ceremonies, a selection, “The Unseen City.” In his remarks the venerable pastor paid an eloquent tribute to the Christian character of the deceased, who had been a consistent and devout member of his society for a number of years, and he was visibly affected when speaking of the many virtues and winning traits of his departed friend. At the conclusion of the religious services, the Masonic fraternity, of which Judge Brown was a prominent member, took charge of the remains, and by them they were escorted to the [Alhambra] cemetery, where the usual ceremonies of that Order were observed. The pall bearers were Francis Williams, James T. Walker, Myron W. Hall, Jasper J. Jones, B. Neustadter, Joseph P. Jones. The choir sang “They Will Be Done,” and “The day is gently sinking to a close.” The body was deposited for the present in a vault, until a proper receptacle can be provided for its permanent resting place.” END Additional Comments: Contra Costa Semi-Weekly Gazette (Martinez, California). August 7, 1889 (Wednesday). Page 3, Column 3. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/contracosta/obits/b/brown4032gob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/cafiles/ File size: 6.8 Kb