Henry-Knox County IL Archives Obituaries.....Brownlee, Thomas January 23, 1900 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Steve Harrison raleighwood@juno.com June 24, 2008, 4:30 pm The Galva Weekly News, January 25, 1900 “Thomas Brownlee, one of the earliest settlers of Galva and one of its most highly honored and respected citizens, passed away at his home Tuesday morning [January 23] at eight o’clock after a long illness. For some time Mr. Brownlee had been failing gradually and of late his old enemy, rheumatism had fastened upon him more severely than ever. The end was not unexpected and the members of the family were all at his bedside. The life of Mr. Brownlee is a story of indomitable pluck and energy in overcoming obstacles and should be an inspiration to every young man. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1823. In early boyhood he moved to the Highlands with his parents. He returned to Glasgow later and married his first wife there, three children, John, Thomas and Jeannette being born to them. In 1850 Mr. Brownlee, then a widower, came to America, a penniless stranger. He pawned his watch for his first week’s board and walked the streets of New York in search of work for several days. He finally obtained employment in a candle factory where he remained for a year. In 1851 he came to Peoria and for two years worked as overseer of a broom corn farm and in the factory. It was while ditching on the farm that he contracted the rheumatism which troubled him the rest of his life. In 1852 Mr. Brownlee married Miss Elizabeth Copeland [Coupland] in Peoria. To them were born seven children, of whom all but one, Elizabeth, are living. They are Mrs. May Maddox, Nekoma [in Henry County, Illinois]; Mrs. Salina Day, Hastings, Neb., Wm. C. Brownlee, Kewanee; Miss Elizabeth D. Brownlee, Galva; Mrs. Alice Brownlee Welch, Waterloo Ia., Joseph P. and George R., Peoria. In 1854, Mr. and Mrs. Brownlee came to the prairie near where Galva now stands and purchased a quarter section of land, afterwards increasing it to a section. 30 years ago Mr. Brownlee came to Galva and, in partnership with O. P. Stoddard, bought out the drygoods business of M. M. Ford. The venture was an exceedingly prosperous one and 15 years ago, Mr. Brownlee retired. Since that time he had lived quietly at his beautiful home in the west part of town. For thirty years he was a member of the First Congregational church and served many years as a deacon in the church. Despite his continued ill health, Mr. Brownlee was of a cheery and hopeful nature. In business his reputation was that of absolute integrity and in his home life he was a kind and loving husband and husband [sic] and father. The sympathy of the city which has known and honored him so long goes out to the stricken wife and family. The Funeral The funeral was held this afternoon [January 25] at 2 o’clock from the Congregational church H. K. Painter presiding. As a mark of respect the business houses were closed and a very large audience assembled at the church. The casket was opened for an hour before the service. The floral tributes, especially those from the family were beautiful. A quartette composed of Miss Mary Parkin, Mrs. H. K. Painter, Mr. Hall and W. H. Parkin sang several [?]. Rev. Mr. Painter in his remarks made tender and kindly reference to Mr. Brownlee’s life. The deacons of the church were honorary pall bearers and the body was carried to its last resting place in the Galva cemetery by the following: E. E. Fitch, Hans Greep, W. H. Parkin, Randolph Boyd.” END Additional Comments: “The Galva Weekly News” (Galva, Henry County, Illinois). January 25, 1900 (Thursday). Thomas Brownlee married Elizabeth (Coupland) Brownlee. They and several of their children are buried in the Galva Cemetery, Lynn Township, Knox County, Illinois File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/henry/obits/b/brownlee272ob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/ilfiles/ File size: 4.2 Kb