Jackson County IA Archives Biographies.....Brown, R. W. February 11, 1874 - 
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Ken Wright wright@prestontel.com January 1, 2011, 3:49 pm

Source: History of Jackson County, Iowa, 1910
Author: J. W. Ellis

R. W. BROWN. 

R. W. Brown is one of Baldwin's native sons, whose enterprise in the lumber 
business is bringing him well earned success and is adding materially to the 
prosperity of the village. He was born February 11, 1874, his parents being 
Rufus and Elizabeth (Oberfellt) Brown. The former, who was the son of a 
Revolutionary soldier, was born in New York state, where he lived until he 
reached manhood. Then he started west and after spending a short time in 
Chicago, Illinois, came to Baldwin, Jackson county, Iowa, which remained his 
home until about fourteen years ago. He was a painter by trade, but after 
coming to this county worked at various occupations. In politics he gave his 
support to the republican party and fraternally he was identified with several 
societies, while his religious allegiance was given to the Methodist Episcopal 
church. He married Miss Elizabeth Oberfellt, who was born in Iowa and is now 
living in Baldwin, and they became the parents of four sons: R. W., the subject 
of this review; Charles, who is a butcher of Baldwin and is also engaged in 
farming; Arthur, who is following agricultural pursuits near Huron, South 
Dakota; and Ira, who is also a butcher of Baldwin. 
R. W. Brown was reared at home and is indebted to the public school system of 
Jackson county for the educational opportunities he enjoyed. In his youth he 
learned the invaluable lesson of industry and application and even before he 
reached man's estate, he embarked in the lumber business in 1893. For eleven 
years and a half he was associated with his brother Charles under the firm name 
of Brown Brothers, and they built up a large trade in this and adjoining 
counties. About five years ago Mr. Brown bought the other's interest and has 
since conducted the business alone. It is one of the flourishing enterprises of 
Monmouth township and from the beginning has been directed with energy, ability 
and good judgment, so that it has been a profitable undertaking. The 
lumberyard, three acres in extent, is filled with the best woods, and there is 
every facility for handling it well and expeditiously. Mr. Brown is also 
interested in buying, breeding and shipping horses, employing three men in this 
connection. He was instrumental in organizing the Baldwin Savings Bank, of 
which he has been vice president since the beginning, and he is also connected 
as stockholder with the Atlas Insurance Company. Indeed he is a young man who 
has seized opportunities which others pass by heedlessly and has in consequence 
obtained a notable success. Mr. Brown married Miss Grace Scott, a daughter of 
Marion and Phebe Cobb (Duprey) Scott. The former was born in Indiana and came 
to Iowa in the early days, spending the rest of his life in this state. To him 
and his wife were born four children, as follows: Samuel, who is engaged in 
farming in Monmouth township; Grace, now Mrs. Brown; Fred, who is a general 
merchant of Baldwin; and Bert M., who is engaged in farming in Monmouth 
township. 
In politics Mr. Brown is a republican and is now serving acceptably as township 
trustee, while his religious faith is manifest in his membership in the 
Methodist Episcopal church. With no influence of birth or fortune to favor his 
early life, he has gained his affluent position solely through his own efforts. 
He has been the architect of his own fortunes, and having builded upon the 
sound foundation of integrity and upright manhood, he now enjoys the general 
respect of the community. 
J. W. Ellis, History of Jackson County, Iowa, 1910 




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