Wapello County IA Archives Biographies.....Brown, George A. 1845 - 
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 September 14, 2015, 4:07 pm

Source: See Below
Author: S. J. Clarke, Publisher

GEORGE A. BROWN.
The name of George A. Brown figures prominently in connection with banking
interests in Ottumwa and has ever been a synonym for that progressiveness which
insures a broadening field of activity and usefulness and at the same time is
tempered by a wise conservatism that prompts the careful guarding of the
interests intrusted to his care. He is today at the head of the banking firm of
George A. Brown & Son and has been connected with other financial institutions
of the county. His birth occurred in Ogdensburg, New York, July 18, 1845, his
parents being William S. and Agnes (Weatherstone) Brown, who were natives of
Scotland. They came to the United States in early life and were married in New
York, after which they remained residents of Ogdensburg until called to their
final rest. The father followed farming in early life and for many years was
active as a merchant in his community. His religious faith was that of the
Presbyterian church, and his political belief that of the Republican party, but,
while he was interested in the success of the party and always voted for its men
and measures, he declined to accept office.

George A. Brown was the sixth in order of birth in a family of eight children,
all of whom have passed away save himself and brother, Robert S., who is living
in California. The youthful days of George A. Brown were spent in Ogdensburg,
with experiences similar to those that fall to the lot of most lads. He remained
in his native city until he reached the age of seventeen years and then,
prompted by a spirit of patriotism, enlisted in 1862 with Scott's "nine
hundred," the First United States Volunteer Cavalry. He continued with that
command for three years, or until the close of the war, and was on active duty
with the Army of the Potomac, the Army of the Gulf and the Army of Mississippi
and Tennessee, being mustered out at Memphis, Tennessee, in 1865. He entered the
service as a private and came out with the brevet rank of captain after
participating in all of the important engagements and military movements in
which his regiment took part. The command was finally ordered to New York and
became known as the Eleventh New York Cavalry.

Returning home after the war, George A. Brown attended school for two years at
the old Wesleyan Seminary and in 1868 he made his way westward to Chicago and
thence to Rockford, Illinois, becoming connected with the Rockford Fire
Insurance Company at its organization. He remained with them until he came to
Ottumwa in 1873, and here he has since resided. He has been general agent for
the Phoenix Fire Insurance Company of New York for Missouri and the southwest
for a number of years, while in Ottumwa he has been actively engaged in the
banking business. He was one of the organizers and is the vice president of the
Citizens Savings Bank of Ottumwa. He also helped organize the Ottumwa National
Bank and was one of its directors for a number of years. He also aided in
organizing the City Savings Bank and was on its directorate for a number of
years following its establishment in 1873. He likewise organized the State Bank
of Ottumwa and the Citizens Bank of Ottumwa. The banking firm of George A. Brown
& Son is today widely known, having continued in business since 1873. They can
pay all liabilities on demand and there has never been a time in the existence
of the firm this could not be done. Their business is today and has been for
many years one of large extent and importance. When in the insurance business
Mr. Brown covered the entire middle west country on horseback and is today
recognized as one of the important factors in financial circles.

At Oxbow, New York, in 1874, Mr. Brown was married to Miss Euphemia Belle
Elliott, who was born at that place and passed away in July, 1911. They had two
children: Jeannette A., the deceased wife of Howard Herr; and Ray Elliott, who
is a partner of his father in the banking business. In October, 1913, Mr. Brown
married again, his second union being with Mrs. Mary E. Harper, the widow of
Captain W. T. Harper. Mr. Brown has been a lifelong republican, indorsing the
principles of the party because of his belief in their efficacy as factors in
good government. His social nature finds expression in his membership in the
Country Club, and his fraternal spirit in his connection with the Masons and the
Odd Fellows. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, in which he is serving
as elder, and his influence is always on the side of right, progress, reform and
improvement. In business affairs he has maintained an unassailable reputation
because of the integrity of his methods, while his enterprise and determination
have been the foundation upon which he builded his success.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:
HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY IOWA
ILLUSTRATED
VOLUME II
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY 1914


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