BROWN, John R., Caldwell Parish, Louisiana
File submitted and prepared by Sherry Sanford. [SSanf51819@aol.com]

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Biographical and Historical Memoirs, Vol. I
The Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1892

John R. Brown, of Columbia, Caldwell parish, La., was
born in this parish in April, 1852.  He was the youngest
son of a family of six sons and two daughters born to
Stephen E. and Eliza (Casey) Brown.  His father was a
native of South Carolina and his mother was a native of
Alabama.  When a small boy, Stephen E. Brown came to
Alabama with his parents, and there grew up and received
his early education.  He was married there and lived the
life of a farmer until 1845, when he removed to Caldwell
parish, La., where he bought land and engaged in planting,
in which he was very successful, accumulation a fine
property, which included a number of slaves.  He was a
well-informed man who took an interest in all public affairs,
but he never sought any official positions.  He was one of
the early settlers of Caldwell parish, and as such, and on
account of his honorable and straightforward course in
all matters, was highly esteemed by the best of citizens.
He was a member of the Baptist church until his death in
1868, which occurred at his home in Caldwell parish.  His
widow is still living, in her seventy-third year and she
enjoys exceptionally good health for one of her years,
and takes a great interest in the affairs of the Baptist
church, of which she is a member.  Only five of their
family are now living.  These are:  Fielding, Washington
M., J.B., Stephen H. and John R.  The latter began life for
himself as soon as he attained his majority, engaging in
planting.  He was married in 1873 to Miss Moise Baker,
daughter of Isaac L. Baker, of Catahoula Parish.  They
have had born to them two sons and a daughter, named:
Terry, Stephen E. and Moise.  Mrs. Brown died in 1877 and
in 1880 Mr. Brown married Mrs. Mattie Baker, a cousin
of his first wife.  She has borne him four children, as
follows: Claude, deceased; Minnie; Sydney G., deceased;
and Eula.  In 1878 Mr. Brown embarked in the mercantile
business in Catahoula parish, and there continued with
considerable success until 1885, when he removed his stock
of merchandise to Columbia and has since formed a partner-
ship with his brother, Fielding Brown, under the firm
name of F. Brown & Bro.  They carry a stock of merchandise
valued at about $8,000, and do an annual trade of about
$50,000.  In a business way, Mr. Brown has been very
successful, and it is a matter of considerable pride with
him that his success has been gained principally through
his own unaided efforts.  His mind has never been diverted
from his legitimate business by politics and he has never
neglected his store to seek office.  He is a member of the
Knights of Pythias, and is an Odd Fellow, and holds the
office of vice-grand in his lodge of the last named order,
and represented his lodge of Knights of Pythias in the
Grand Lodge of Louisiana, held at Shreveport in 1891.  The
Brown family being among the early settlers of this part
of the country, they are well and favorably known through-
out the parish.