Tehama-El Dorado-Butte County CA Archives Biographies.....Brown, Henry W. 1823 - ************************************************ 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: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com February 22, 2007, 6:09 pm Author: Lewis Publishing Co. (1891) HENRY W. BROWN came to California in 1850, and is one of the best known and most respectable citizens of Tehama County. He was born in Jackson County, Ohio, February 10, 1823, the son of Zephaniah and Elizabeth (Rawls) Brown, the former a native of New York State, and the latter of Kentucky. He was the youngest except one of a family of ten children, five of whom are still living. When he was a child the family removed to Indiana and settled on a farm, where he was inured to the hard labors accompanying farm life and where he received but meagre educational advantages. There he laid the foundation for his future useful life. In 1844, after having remained with his father until he was twenty-three years old, he removed to Illinois, which was at that time considered the far West. Four years later he removed to Iowa. Hearing of the wonderful gold discoveries in California, he became filled with a desire to seek the new El Dorado of the West. In 1850 he crossed the plains with ox teams in company with a small party of emigrants, and arrived at Hangtown (now Placerville) in the middle of September of that year. Mr. Brown mined at Mud Springs during the fall, with moderate success. He then went to Forbestown and mined the following winter, spring and summer, with equally good success. In 1852 he engaged in the general merchandise business, selling supplies to the miners for about six months, also doing well at that. Then he built a large hotel, which he conducted successfully for a number of years. Again the infatuation to dig for gold returned to him, and for a time he mined on Ohio Flat. After mining off and on for about seven years, he removed to Newville, Colusa County, where he engaged in farming and stock-raising, a business in which he was experienced and for which he was eminently qualified. His first purchase of land was 160 acres. To this he added until he had about 1,200 acres, which he improved and on which he built. He remained on this ranch and prospered until 1872, when he sold out for $11,000. In that year he came to Tehama County, and, in company with Mr. John Curtis, purchased a large tract of grazing land and several thousand sheep, the purchase price being $46,000. They held it only a short time, however, after which they sold it back to the same parties. From the Gooch Brothers they then bought 3,500 acres of land with all the stock running on the place, which included 7,000 sheep, for which they paid $75,000. Their able management of this property soon developed it into a large and remunerative business, and in 1874 Mr. Brown purchased his partner's interest and became sole proprietor. At this time he turned his attention to breeding fine sheep, bought live pure-bred backs, and soon his flocks became the finest in the country. He was well repaid for his wisdom and his enterprise, both by the increased value of his stock and the quantity and quality of his wool. In 1877 Mr. Brown conceived the idea of finding a more profitable market for his sheep, and sent 10,000 very fine ones to Colorado, under the care of Mr. Reardon, an experienced sheep man, who found a ready and profitable market for them. This proved Mr. Brown's judgment to be keen, and opened a new market for the immense flocks of Tehama County. In 1879 he sent over 6,200 sheep to the same place, with the same fortunate results. From time to time he made accessions to his landed estate until he became the owner of 11,000 acres. On it he built, and made many improvements, and it became one of the finest sheep ranches in the country, yielding Mr. Brown a handsome income. This property he sold for $100,000, and in 1882 moved into Red Bluff and bought a home at the corner of Main and Cedar streets, where he now resides. In partnership with Dr. West he bought 3,800 acres of land, on which they are running about 2,800 sheep. On this place they have the buildings and appliances necessary to conduct the business in a most successful manner. Mr. Brown also owns another farm of 320 acres, on which there is an orchard and tine buildings. December 31, 1840, is the date of Mr. Brown's marriage to Miss Juliette Parish, a native of Tippecanoe County, Indiana. He was only eighteen years old at that time, but his judgment was as unerring as it has been in later years and the union has proved a most happy one. Mrs. Brown has been a constant sharer of her husband's joys and sorrows, and has ever been a faithful and loving wife and mother. When Mr. Brown came to California, in 1850, he wisely left his young wife in Iowa with their three little children. After mining nearly two years he returned to Iowa for his family. April 20, 1852, they turned their faces toward the setting sun and their new home. On this journey across the plains they suffered the greatest calamity of their lives. The cholera, that fearful scourge, seized upon them and their two first-born sons found a resting-place, with many others who were victims to that same dread disease, in that great wilderness near the Rocky Mountains. With sad and heavy hearts the sorrowing family continued their way westward and arrived at Forbestown in September, 1852, after a weary journey of five months. Their daughter, Elizabeth, who was born in Iowa, is now the wife of A. F. Roberts, and resides in Forbestown, Butte County, California. Two sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Brown after their arrival in this State: Charles L., in Forbestown. He married Miss Amanda Boatman, and is at present book-keeper in the Tehama County Bank at Red Bluff; Acil L. is the popular Treasurer of Tehama County. (See history of him on another page of this book.) All his life Mr. Brown has affiliated with the Democratic party. Twice he was elected Assessor of Colusa County. Since his residence in this county he has served two terms as Supervisor. For eight years he has been Chairman of the Democratic County Committee, and his earnest work and sound judgment have been of great value to his party. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and for several years has been Master of his lodge. Since his residence in the Golden State he has aided in the organization of a number of lodges. This worthy couple, Mr. and Mrs. Brown, are nearing the anniversary af their golden wedding. Notwithstanding they have seen so many years of pioneer life, they are both well preserved. Long may they live in their beautiful California home to enjoy the fruits of a well-spent life. Additional Comments: Extracted from Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California. Illustrated, Containing a History of this Important Section of the Pacific Coast from the Earliest Period of its Occupancy to the Present Time, together with Glimpses of its Prospective Future; Full-Page Steel Portraits of its most Eminent Men, and Biographical Mention of many of its Pioneers and also of Prominent Citizens of To-day. "A people that takes no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote descendents." – Macauley. CHICAGO THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY 1891. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/tehama/bios/brown895bs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/cafiles/ File size: 7.7 Kb