Cook County IL Archives Biographies.....Brown, William H ca1800 - 
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Author: Chicago Magazine

William H. Brown

To write a sketch of some living men which shall be truthful and at the same 
time readable, which shall present their virtues in due relation to their 
faults, and as relieved by them, without injustice to the feelings of the 
parties concerned, is not an easy matter.

Some men are like the head of a certain statesman, of which the phrenologist 
could make nothing, because he could find no "bump" about it—it was 
symmetrically smooth in every part—while others exhibit such decided traits of 
character, that inequalities are a matter of necessity. Their virtues and 
their failings, alike exhibit themselves decidedly, and, in natural 
correspondence with each other.

Mr. Brown the subject of this sketch is a man of marked and divided traits. 
What he knows, he knows; what he says, he means; and whatever subject comes 
before him, elicits, without much delay, a plump and square opinion. Such men 
must of necessity cross somebody's track in the course of their lives, and 
will come to be somewhat differently regarded by different classes of people.

While therefore this sketch will endeavor to set forth Mr. Brown as he is, as 
far as it goes, it cannot of course enter upon such a discussion as would be 
called for were he not yet moving among us.

Mr. Brown is a native of the State of Connecticut, and was born about the 
beginning of the nineteenth century. His father was a native of Rhode Island. 
His profession was that of the law, which he practiced for some twenty-five 
years, at Auburn, New York, with decided talent and success, and then removed 
to the City of New-York, where a few years since, he died.

The son William, gained his education as many young men of his time were 
accustomed to do, while the country was not as well supplied with schools of a 
high grade as at present, partly in the office of his father, and at various 
schools; but not extending it in youth, far beyond what are considered good 
business acquirements. He studied law with his father and then engaged in its 
practice with him.

In December 1818, about the time of his majority, as we infer, he came to seek 
his fortune in the farther or extreme West, as it then was; and opened a law 
office in the old French town of Kaskaskia, in this State. His inducement to 
select Illinois as the State of his residence, he declares to be, that it had, 
in the summer of that year, adopted a free constitution; without which he 
would by no means have taken a residence in it. In the spring of 1819, he was 
appointed a Clerk of the United States Court, which office he held for the 
period of sixteen years. The seat of government being removed to Vandalia, and 
the law requiring the Clerk of the Court to keep his office at the Capitol of 
the State, Mr. Brown followed it thither in December 1820. He immediately 
purchased one half the proprietary interest in a Newspaper then published, and 
called it "The Illinois Intelligencer." This paper dated back to 1815, and was 
the first Newspaper ever established in the Territory. Mr. Brown entered upon 
its editorial duties, and continued in that connection until February 1823. 
His partner in the paper was Mr. Wm. Berry, who was a member of the 
legislature of 1823; which legislature passed a resolution for a convention, 
to after the constitution of the State, with a view to the introduction of 
slavery. The means by which this resolution went through the legislature, were 
of a very high handed character, which the reader will find somewhat 
illustrated on pages 52-3 of Ford's History of Illinois.

Mr. Berry voted for this resolution, while Mr. Brown the editor was against 
it, and denounced it in such terms as he thought applicable to the case. 
Having prepared an article for the paper, which exposed the scandalous 
measures by which the resolution had been carried through the House of 
Representatives, and having taken proofs of it, preparatory to its insertion, 
these proofs were surreptitiously taken from the office; and being read by the 
parties implicated, a storm was at once raised, such as is not uncommon, even 
in our day, when this same question of slavery is at stake. The usual remedy 
for such impertinent boldness was at once proposed; viz. a mob, which should 
demolish the office, and send Mr. Brown about other business. Luckily, Mr. 
Brown had friends, and his friends had pluck; and their rally saved the 
office. The paper containing the awful exposition appeared; and was deemed 
such an indignity to the august body whose doings it had censured, that a 
resolution was adopted citing the author to their bar. To this citation Mr. 
Brown declined to answer; giving as his reason, that, the constitution secured 
the liberty of the Press, and so the resolution went over as unfinished 
business, and the wounded honor of the House was committed to the tender 
mercies of time for its healing.

The partnership in the Illinois Intelligencer, however, came to an end, by the 
sale of Mr. Brown's interest; and the paper advocated the convention—or in 
other words the introduction of slavery—for the next year. By some reasons, 
nevertheless, not made public, the paper was given into other editorial hands, 
some eight months before the vote was taken, and during that time, did good 
service in the canvass for freedom.

As Mr. Brown had embarked in the cause of freedom in the State, and had 
determined to leave it, should the folly of re-introducing slavery prevail, he 
now gave most of his time to writing and working against that policy; and did 
much toward securing the verdict rendered in the two thousand majority which 
forbid its establishment; for which we who now dwell here, and our posterity, 
will owe him a debt of gratitude and honor.

In December 1822, the subject of this sketch was married to Miss Harriet C. 
Seward, daughter of Col. John Seward deceased, then of Montgomery Co., 
Illinois. Mrs. Brown is the mother of four living sons, and one daughter; of 
whom three are now in active business, and two in the course of their 
education.

Mr. Brown removed with his family to Chicago in October 1835, having been 
appointed cashier of a branch of the State Bank of Illinois, which had been 
created here in the winter of 1834. This position he had accepted with some 
reluctance, under the impression that his previous pursuits had not been of a 
kind to give him that knowledge of financial matters, required in the charge 
of such an institution. In urging upon him the appointment, one of the 
principal stockholders remarked, that he possessed one qualification very 
necessary; in that he could say no, as easily as most men could say yes. As 
soon as the proper arrangements could be completed, the bank commenced 
operation, and continued as the only institution of the kind till the year 
1843.

At the time of Mr. Brown's arrival in the State, its population was not over 
40,000; and none or next to none of them lived north of the present limits of 
Bond County. When he came to this city, it was a village of about two years 
growth, and contained about 2000 people. All Northern Illinois was a 
wilderness, and two years later the whole north half of the State was included 
in one congressional district; and sent Hon. J. T. Stewart, of Springfield to 
Congress; electing him over his competitor Stephen A. Douglass, who on that 
occasion made his first appearance on the stage in pursuit of political 
honors. The writer of this sketch cast his first vote in Illinois against Mr. 
Douglass at that time; and made one of the five majority which defeated him.

The Bank prospered well under Mr. Brown's management, and might perhaps have 
been prospering yet, had the state of the country been any wise settled and 
healthy. But the serious derangements commencing in 1836 or rather back of 
that period, in the financial affairs of the nation, carried away bank, and 
business, East and West; and the Illinois State Bank did not escape. It 
suffered great losses, and these with adverse legislation induced the 
stockholders to wind it up. The Chicago branch suffered with the rest; for 
real estate was forced upon it in place of money. Yet in the aggregate, it was 
so managed that the profit and loss would have shown a balance on the right 
side.

In the conduct of such an institution, through times such as these, there were 
two things which it were impossible to secure together. One was the safety of 
the institution, and the other the good will of all the community. Every body 
was in a condition of suffering, and wanted money, with an intensity that, 
could take no denial; and the very urgency of the want, pointed, in no 
inconsiderable number of cases, to the very reason which made it unsafe to 
accommodate them. The Cashier of a bank must of necessity look to the safety 
of his trust. If he is faithful to that, no matter whether no is an easy word 
to him or not; he is forced to make the two letters which compose it, current 
in his institution. No, is not a popular word, with men who wish to borrow 
money, especially if they wish to borrow it very much; as those then did, who 
wanted to borrow it at all. Mr. Brown's peculiar qualification already 
mentioned perhaps conduced more to the safety of his trust, than to his 
popularity for the time being. But integrity and decision vindicate themselves 
sooner or later, and he has lost little in the long run. Indeed the men who 
supposed themselves to suffer from lack of a decision in their favor, would 
now often choose him as the very man to take charge of a trust of their own, 
had they one, requiring sagacity and decision united with integrity in its 
management.

The building, in which the bank was kept, stood at the corner of La Salle and 
South Water Sts.; and is well remembered by all the oldest residents of the 
city. It has only disappeared within the last four or five years.

While the bank was in operation, Chicago was confined principally to the 
vicinity of the river. The dwellings even, did not stretch far away from the 
center. In the spring of 1835 a three story brick building, probably 117 Lake 
street, was erected, and finished in the fall, and then filled with goods by 
Breese and Shepherd. It was the general impression that the stand was too far 
from the center of business, and would prove a bad speculation.

Mr. Brown has been a professor of religion in connection with the Presbyterian 
Church for many years. He sustained the office of ruling elder in that 
connection in Vandalia, and has held the office from 1835, or nearly the 
entire period of his residence in this city; and is as well acquainted with 
ecclesiastical, as with legal business. He has constantly been a stanch 
supporter of his own branch of the church; and a reliable helper in any thing 
properly claiming his aid in any other connection.

The first church edifice of the Presbyterian connection was erected upon the 
alley on Clark Street; between Lake and Randolph, on the West side of the 
street, where the firm of S. H. Kerfoot & Co. are now situated. The building 
fronted towards Lake St.; and a large slough run diagonally thro' the lot in 
front of the Church, which, on rainy Sabbaths, and in wet times, was bridged 
by benches from the church. The writer of this, has a distinct recollection of 
thus reaching the interior of this place of worship. This church, was at the 
time, the only one erected by any denomination; though the Baptist, 
Methodists, and Episcopalians, all had a church organisation; and the 
Catholics had a small Chapel near the corner of Washington St. and Michigan 
avenue. A few families lived on the north side of the river, and a few stores 
of goods had been opened there. The town had no side walks; and mud of no very 
certain depth, was plenty, and easily reached. Nothing like a harbor existed; 
and vessels were accustomed to the outside, and unload by lighters.

In 1840 Mr. Brown was appointed School Agent; an office which involved the 
care of the funds for School purposes in this city. His election was almost 
accidental; being by a majority of one only of the Whig party, with which he 
always acted. His acceptance was on condition, that his services should be 
gratuitous; and this very likely contributed to keep him in the office, at a 
time when party greed watched for every post of profit, however small, very 
much as hungry dogs watched for bones, without regard to their size, or the 
sort of animals to which they belong. Perhaps the city never made a more 
fortunate hit, either by blunder or design; for the state of our Schools 
hitherto had been most deplorable. The School fund was all unproductive; 
having been let for the most part, to parties who had failed to pay, either 
principal or interests. There were no school houses fit for use, and the whole 
matter of Schools was in a decidedly helter-skelter condition. The real era of 
a change dates with the election of Mr. Brown to this office of School Agent. 
Confidence began at once to revive; for all parties even the hungry ones, felt 
that the fund was now safe.

It was no small labor to collect the scattered fragments of the fund, and put 
them in shape to be productive; but it was accomplished; and though Mr. B. 
devoted twelve or thirteen years to this business, in connection with his 
other Affairs; loaning it out as it was collected, he never made an 
uncollectible debt. The Schools gradually assumed tone and character; suitable 
houses were built, and the system as it now is, gained shape and consistency.

At the time of his resignation of the office of School Agent, in view of his 
gratuitous services, the Common Council of the city passed the following 
resolutions:

"Whereas, In the resignation of Wm. H. Brown, late School Agent, the community 
have lost the services of a faithful, diligent and meritorious officer; one 
who for the long period of thirteen years has bestowed a paternal care—to the 
fostering and judicious management of that sacred trust—the School fund; and

Whereas, Although the unsolicited expression of public approbation may not add 
one iota to the already established character of the individual, who is the 
object of it; yet we believe that a testimonial of this nature, may afford to 
any honorable mind a feeling of pleasure and gratification on retiring from 
office, with the unbiased verdict of well done, thou good and faithful servant.

Thereupon be it resolved by the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Chicago in 
Common Council assembled.

That we tender to Wm. H. Brown, late school Agent, our fullest expression of 
respect and approbation, for the correct and judicious manner in which for 
such a long period of years, he has fulfilled the duties appertaining to his 
late position.

Resolved, That in the economical execution and careful attention, with which 
the late agent has performed his official requirements, we have presented, for 
the future guidance of his successor an example well worthy of imitation; and 
in which we discern the very unusual occurrence of a public office being held 
by one individual for so long a period, more for the promotion of a laudable 
and praisworthy object, than for the emoluments attached to it.

Resolved, That for the more fully carrying out the intention of this Preamble 
and Resolutions, they be entered on record and a copy presented to the subject 
of them."

Mr. B. was one of the first Inspectors of Common Schools, elected under the 
city charter; and was in that Board for twelve or thirteen consecutive years. 
This Board of inspectors has been the instrument and agency; and in good 
degree the cause of our present School System. He was a constant and punctual 
attendant at its sittings, and a leading and influential member of it; and is 
entitled to his share of the credit of what it has done.

In the winter of 1846, in connection with a few others, Mr. Brown purchased 
the original charter of the Galena and Chicago Union Rail Road, from the 
Estate of E. K. Hubbard, Esq., then lately deceased. Measures were immediately 
taken to put on foot a working Railroad in the Northwest. A little piece of 
road had been built before Mr. Hubbard's death, but it was never worked, and 
went to decay. To start this Galena Road was an undertaking of no small labor. 
The country was poor; there were no Rail Roads anywhere in the West; and 
nobody had much faith in them, nor in fact in anything else. So completely had 
all confidence been wrecked, in the great revulsions of 1836 and onward, that 
nobody was willing to embark in any new scheme, either with effort or capital. 
The extent to which, this was then true, cannot be conceived of now, by those 
who have no experience in that chapter of our history. This Galena Road was 
therefore looked upon as a very doubtful affair; and any amount of writing and 
cyphering, and conventioning and speech-making, was necessary to get it 
started. The farmers in the country, who had felt in all their bones, as well 
as pockets, the need of some means of getting to market with their crops, were 
much more alive to it than our city property holders; who had saved what 
little they had out of the fire, so to speak; and who did not like to risk it 
again beyond their fingers' ends. But the farmers were poor and able to take 
but little stock; and as the citizens would not risk much, the road was begun 
on a rather small scale. Mr. B. became one of the largest subscribers to the 
stock, and is yet one of the most extensive of its stockholders. He has always 
been a Director of the Road, and is now its Vice President. He has therefore 
had ample opportunity to aid in giving shape to the policy under which that 
Road has been managed.

Mr. Brown was the very man to have a hand in that undertaking. Cautious to a 
degree verging on exccess; knowing the full value of every dollar that passes 
through his hands; and constitutionally determined that every dime shall do 
its own duty, he was the very man to aid in the beginning of a road, without 
adequate means and without confidence, and carry it forward, step by step, to 
success. The first twelve miles of the road only cost about $6,000 per mile; 
but the first twelve miles told the story, for they showed that the road could 
be built, and would pay. This road has been the goose that has laid our golden 
eggs. It is the mother of all the rest in our North west.

Mr. B. is a man of capital. He had acquired a competency before his removal to 
this city, and since that time, with the exception of the perilous years 
succeeding 1836, has been constantly adding to the amount. He early became 
possessed of considerable tracts of real estate, which has of late, very 
rapidly enhanced in value, he has entered into no rash speculations, nor made 
any desperate pushes for fortune. He takes care of what he has; and adds to it 
when he can do so with safety. He has never entered so largely upon building 
as have some others, but has expended considerable sums in that way at one 
time and another. His late residence, at the corner of Pine and Illinois 
streets, North Side, he erected at a cost of ten thousand dollars, in 1836; 
and it was, at that time, considered the best house in the city. He is now 
building a residence, with front of Athens marble, on Michigan Avenue, to cost 
about thirty thousand dollars. As to his present possessions, he is not a man 
who makes any exhibition of his property. His answer to a question regarding 
it, was, that the inquirer would have "to guess as to the amount." Our guess 
therefore is, that it will not fall below $500,000, and may go to twice that 
sum, or even above that.

Mr. Brown is personally a tall, well formed man, with a slight stoop of the 
shoulders; with a keen dark eye, and hair once black as the raven, but now 
inclining to iron-grey. When young, he is said to have been a very fine 
looking man, and we can well believe it, for he holds his honors very well as 
yet.

Mr. Brown is a giving man; being applied to, perhaps, in aid of more charities 
than any one man in the city; and perhaps he answers to as many, or more, than 
any man. But he is not naturally a giver, for his motto is, to keep what he 
has; and his native answer to all applications, when that answer does not flow 
through the channel of his christian principles, would very likely be his easy 
No! His manner is often brusque; but his heart is kindly; and though he who 
comes to him for an object not wholly explained, may be chilled by the 
perpendicularities of a nervous impatience, which explodes suddenly; he has 
only to wait for the flow of kindness and good sense, which is sure to come, 
to be reassured.

Mr. Brown has the talent of good common sense; one most certainly of which the 
world has need, as fully as of any other; this, with his inflexible integrity, 
gives him a position in regard to trusts, both public and private, held by few 
men in our city. He is now in the midst of well ripened middle life, and yet 
in active duty—a large part of it connected with these trusts, of various 
kinds, put into his hands. We say of him, as Horace said of Augustus—we forget 
the Latin of it—but the meaning of it is, "Late may he go hence."  

Additional Comments:
Source: Chicago Magazine, The West As It Is, Vol. 1, March 1857, No. 1


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