Biography of C. M. Brown, Miami, Dade County, FL

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Transcribed from:  The History of Florida:  Past & Present, The Lewis Publishing Co., Vol. 
III, page 170, 1923.

BROWN, Hon. C. M.  The long life of Hon. C. W. BROWN has cut Florida intimately at many vital 
points in the history of the state during the past sixty years.  He has been a resident of 
Florida since early childhood, is an ex-Confederate officer, an ex-state senator, at one time 
was candidate for governor, and had done a great deal in a constructive business way.  His 
home for many years has been at Miami, where he is builder and owner of the new "Squirrel 
Roost Inn".

Mr. BROWN was born in North Carolina in 1843.  His parents removed to Florida in 1847, settling 
in Marion County near Ocala.  The BROWN family have been planters for generations in the 
vicinity of Ocala.

Growing up in that locality, C. M. BROWN was educated largely in private schools, and as a 
youth of about nineteen volunteered as a private in the Confederate army at the beginning 
of the war.  He was in Company G, of the Ninth Florida Regiment.  His service brought him 
successive promotions until he was made captain of his company.  He was in several of the 
campaigns in Virginia, notably in the vicinity of Richmond, and for a time his company was 
detached for service in Florida.  He took part in the battle of Olustee, this state, and 
was wounded in the arm.  While a soldier Captain Brown was several times wounded, being 
shot through the lung at the battle of Seven Pines, and shot through the foot at the battle 
of Reem's Station.

Captain BROWN has an intimate recollection and knowledge of pioneer conditions in Florida.  
The first home of the Brown family in this state was practically a fortification, being 
constructed so as to afford safeguards against hostile Indians.  It was the habit of the 
settlers to scout the country for Indians once a week.  The meal for their bread was made 
from corn raised on the premises, and living conditions on the whole were on a very simple 
basis.

Captain BROWN after the war engaged in business and from 1873 to 1880 was a traveling salesman 
for a Baltimore wholesale clothing house.  His chief reputation however in business was gained 
as a hotel man.  He built the Ocala House, which for a long time enjoyed the reputation of 
being the best hotel in Florida.

Having sold out his Ocala interests, Mr. BROWN, in 1904, came to Miami.  For twelve years 
he conducted a prosperous retail furniture business on Flagler Street.  He sold out this 
store to the McDonald interests, and the business is now continued as the Dade Furniture 
Company.

After a period of retirement, Captain BROWN, in the summer of 1922, again took a hand in 
local development by building the Squirrel Roost Inn.  In its present form this is a modern 
restaurant and dining room, located on his property at the southeast corner of Miami Avenue 
and southeast Seventh Street.  The restaurant is only the first unit of a large hotel which 
Captain BROWN plans.  His property there is 100 by 150 feet, comprising one of the most 
valuable locations in the city.

For many years Captain BROWN was a prominent figure in Florida state politics.  He served as 
state senator two years from Marion County.  He was a candidate for nomination for governor 
in 1904, his successful rival being Governor N. B. BROWARD.  He was also made leader in the 
State Democratic Convention, and he made the nominating speech for Governor Jennings at the 
Jacksonville Convention.

Captain BROWN first married AUGUSTA FAISON, who died a number of years ago.  She represented 
a prominent and historic family in East and North Carolina.  The only child of this marriage 
is C. M. BROWN, Jr., now of Ashville, North Carolina.  Captain BROWN married for his second 
wife, MAY CROSLAND of Miami.