Dr. Edward Rogerson Brownell, Rapides Parish, Louisiana Submitted by: Kay Thompson-Brown ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana The Southern Publishing Company, Chicago & Nashville, 1890 DR. EDWARD ROGERSON BROWNELL Dr. Edward Rogerson Brownell (deceased) was one of the representative citizens of Rapides Parish now known as Grant Parish, La., and a physician of decided ability. He was born in East Hartford, Conn., in 1825, and received his education in the best colleges of his native State, graduating from Yale. He then studied medicine, graduated in that State, and when a young man came to Louisiana. This was prior to 1849. He located where Mrs. Brownell now resides, and then again attended medical colleges at New Orleans, where he received another diploma. After this he practiced his profession in Louisiana until 1864, when he returned to East Hartford, Conn., but made that State his home only during the summer months, as he was compelled on account of ill health to spend the winter in a warmer climate. He traveled a great deal through Europe, the West Indies and South America, and came in contact with many noted men and statesmen. He was married August, 23, 1853, to Miss Pamela Layssard, daughter of Malafret Layssard and grand daughter of Bolon Layssard, a native of France, who came to this county when Louisiana was yet a Territory, setting in Rapides Parish, and his son Malafret Layssard setting in Grant Parish, where he followed planting. Malafret Layssard was but seventeen years of age during the War of 1812, and served as lieutenant of his company. His death occurred in January, 1878, when eighty five years of age. The father of our subject, Dr. Pardon Brownell, was a noted physician of East Hartford, Conn., and graduated with honors at Yale. He was a brother of Bishop Brownell, of Hartford, Conn. Dr. Edward R. Brownell was a member of the Hartford Club for a number of years, and during the war his sympathies were with the Union. He was a direct descendant of Capt. Church, who captured King Phillip, the great Indian Chief, and also of the Brownell that fought at Bunker Hill, mass. His mother was a daughter of Capt. Charles De Wolf, of Revolutionary fame. His brother, Harry Howard Brownell was quite a poet and historian. His little volumes have long been out of print, and yet in 1865 Oliver Wendell Holmes styled him the Battle laureate of America. His war lyrics printed in Gen. Hawley's paper, attracted Farragut's attention, and for several years he was the Admiral's secretary. He was with Farragut at Mobile Bay, August 5, 1864. To Dr. Edward R. Brownell and wife were born six children, two are dead and four living: Francis E. (represents the Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company at Atlanta, Ga.), Clarence D. W. (Is a resident of Providence, R. I., and is attending to his father's estate), Charles H. and Lucia E. (are at home). Dr. E. R. Brownell died December 30, 1889, and in his death the children lost a kind father, the mother a loving husband and the parish an excellent citizen. He was a member of the Episcopal Church, and was respected and esteemed for his many good qualitites of mind and heart. Mrs. Brownell was born in New Orleans, December 23, 1838, and is a lady of culture and refinement. Although left desolate by the death of her companion, who shared with her the sorrows of life, she can say as many good Christians before her have done: "Thy will be done."