Saguache County CO Archives Biographies.....Brown, Frank November 11, 1836 - ?
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Judy Crook jlcrook@rof.net November 13, 2005, 4:20 pm

Author: Progressive Men of Western Colorado

Frank Brown 

     The real and lasting victories of all time are those of peace and not of

war.  The man who helps to plant and people a hitherto unproductive wilderness

is none the less a soldier of humanity although his contest is with and his

victory is over the opposing forces of nature, and when his banner is unfurled

in triumph, he can have the pleasing satisfaction of knowing that his battle has

helped to whiten no plain with the bones and redden no river with the blood of

his fellow men.  The chivalry of industry invades no human right and tramples on

no human feeling.  And although its conflicts are arduous and often long

continued, involving dangers, hardships and efforts equal in magnitude to those

of any military campaign, they are all for and not over mankind, and every

advance made is a substantial and enduring gain to every good cause.  In this

chivalry Frank Brown, of Saguache county, living seven miles southeast of the

county seat, has been a valiant knight, and bravely has he worn the emblems of

his knighthood.  He was born in Bavaria, Germany, on November 11, 1836, and is

the son of Joseph and Walberger Brown, of that country, who came to the United

States in early married life and located at Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, where they

passed the rest of their days.  The father was a carpenter and prospered at his

work.  The family comprised five children who are living, John, Frank, Michael,

Sebastian and Matthew.  The parents were members of the Catholic church, and the

head of the house warmly espoused the Democratic cause in American politics. 

Their son Joseph was killed in a saber contest on one of the bloody fields of

the Civil war.  Frank was educated in the common schools of his native land, and

was twelve years old when the family moved to this country in 1848.  He also

attended school three years at Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.  After leaving school he

spent eight years at hard labor in the lumber woods around Lake Superior and

seven in other occupations in Wisconsin.  In 1866 he came to Denver, this state,

crossing the plains with ten wagon teams hauling corn, the route being by way of

Fort Kearney and up the Platte Cut Off near Junction.  His brother John was in

the party, and after their five weeks of trying travel on this journey, in which

Frank served as night herder, they formed a partnership in freighting between

Denver and Central City, having seven yoke ox teams and hauling hay principally.

 The life was full of hazard and privation, but the profits were large; and

while it strained all their faculties, it gave them compensation, not only in

the monetary returns, but in the increased spirit and energy it awakened.  In

1870 they gave up freighting and moved to their present location in the San Luis

valley, continuing their partnership until 1874, then harmoniously dissolved it.

 Mr. Brown’s ranch comprises one hundred and sixty acres and has been well

improved by his own energy and hard work.  It is well fenced and is plentifully

watered by two fine artesian wells.  The buildings are ample for his

accommodation and in keeping with the spirit of enterprise that dominates all

his movements.  Hay, grain and cattle are abundantly raised, the two last

proving the chief resources.  There were no settlers in the neighborhood when he

pitched his tent here, and the present development of the region is the result

of his bold and stimulating example and his helpful influence, which has never

been withheld from any undertaking of advantage to the section.  In fact, the

interest he has taken in the progress and building up of the county has placed

him among its most prominent and esteemed citizens.  He is a loyal Democrat in

political allegiance, and as such served as county commissioner from 1881 to the

close of 1883 and from 1895 to 1900, inclusive.  While there are yet vast

possibilities in the region of his home to be developed and made serviceable,

Mr. Brown is doing his part in his day and generation in its behalf, and making

a record of usefulness and benefit to his community the influence of which will

not cease to be effective and will be ever remembered to his credit.

Additional Comments:
From Progressive Men of Western Colorado.  Chicago:  A.W. Bowen & Co., 1905

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