Biographical Sketch of Rufus L. Brown, Johnson County, Missouri,
Hazel Hill Township

>From "History of Johnson County, Missouri," by Ewing Cockrell,
Historical Publishing Company, Topeka, Cleveland, 1918.
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R. L. Brown, a progressive agriculturist of Hazel Hill township, is a
member of a prominent pioneer family of Johnson county.  He was born in
Hazel Hill township in 1870, a son of W. H. H. and Emma (Cleveland)
Brown, the former, a native of Hazel Hill township and the latter, of
Kentucky.  W. H. H. Brown was born in 1841, a son of Simpson Brown, who
came from Kentucky to Missouri in the thirties and entered land and
purchased tracts until he was at one time owner of more than a thousand
acres located in one of the best farming districts of this state.  The
present John Gilkeson farm was a part of his farm, where Simpson Brown
spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring in the eighties.
Burial was made in Oak Grove cemetery.  When Emma (Cleveland) Brown was
five years of age, she came to Missouri with her parents, Mr. and Mrs.
William Cleveland, who entered the farm in Hazel Hill township, now 
known as the Robert White place.  They are both now deceased and their
remains lie in Liberty cemetery.  To W. H. H. Brown and Emma (Cleve-
land) Brown were born eight children: Mrs. Fannie Shackleford, Warrens-
burg, Missouri; Mrs. Ida May Bowen, Kansas City, Missouri; Mrs. J. A.
Hawley, Big Springs, Texas, the wife of one of the leading bankers of
that city; James William, Kit Carson, Colorado; Rufus L., the subject
of this review; T. S., Warrensburg township, Johnson county; J. C.,
Tacoma, Washington; and F. C., Los Angeles, California.  Both parents
are now living, their home being at present in Los Angeles, California.
Rufus L. Brown obtained a good education in the public schools of Hazel
Hill township and at the age of 23 years began life for himself farming
in Illinois.  For ten years, Mr. Brown was a resident of that state,
when he returned to Johnson county, Missouri and purchased the Cleve-
land farm of 200 acres, on which he lived ten years.  He then moved to
Kansas City, Missouri, where he resided five months, returning to 
Warrensburg and purchasing 80 acres of land in Hazel Hill township. For
eight years, Mr. Brown lived in Warrensburg, where he was engaged in 
buying and shipping stock.  In 1917, he traded his city residence and
the 80 acre tract for his present home place, a place comprising 140
acres of splendid farm land, known as the Bedo Dyer farm.  Since he
moved to this home, Mr. Brown has installed an acetylene plant, for
lighting purposes, and will soon begin work remodeling the residence, 
making it modern throughout.  There is a large, well built barn on the
place and the site of the farm buildings and residence could not have
been better chosen, as it is the highest point on the north and south
road from Fayetteville to Higginsville.  Rufus L. Brown was first 
married in Illinois to Abbie Cobb.  Mrs. Brown died in January, 1910,
leaving one daughter, Mida June.  In 1911 Mr. Brown and Edith Roach,
daughter of John Roach, of Hazel Hill township, were united in marriage.
Mr. Roach is now deceased and the widowed mother resides in Warrensburg.
To Rufus L. and Edith (Roach) Brown has been born one child: Rufus L.,
Jr.  Mr. and Mrs. Brown are valued highly among the best citizens of
Hazel Hill township.  Mr. Brown is a worker and his pretty country home
with its well kept lawn and neat surroundings, bespeaks the thoughtful
care and attention of an intelligent, capable farmer.

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