HISTORY: Rev. John Brown, Fayette County, Iowa This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Adelaide McBride **************************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material,must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legalrepresentative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWebarchivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. ******************************************************************************** Rev. John Brown Fayette Leader newspaper. August 15, 1946 by Mrs. L.L. Cole, Leader staff Writer Chauncey Brooks located in Smithfield township in 1847, and the first religious services in Fayette county are said to have been held by the Rev. John Brown at the Brooks home in '48 or possibly '47. Rev. Brown of the United Brethren church, who lived at Yankee Settlement at Colesburg, built a hotel at Rockville, Delaware County. His wife died soon after and his children managed the hotel while he traveled through Fayette and neighboring counties ministering to the spiritual necessities of the pioneers. His audience was composed of three or four white men, two white women, two Indian bucks, and an educated squaw. As Brown warmed to his discourse he began to pound the puncheon table in his gesticulations with considerable violence. One of the untutored sons leaned toward his companion and asked what he meant. He answered that his opinion was that Brown wanted to fight. Again the preacher's sunburned and ponderous fist made the table jump an inch and the dishes rattled over the fireplace. The Indians arose as if impelled by the same force, clutched their blankets with their left hands, cleared the cabin door at one bound and ran into the grove for safety, not caring to engage in a theological inquiry with a man so sinewy and handy with his fists as Brother Brown. They feared he might pound religion into their heads as he was then appearing to attempt to do with the table.