William V. Brown - Biography

From "History of North Washington" Published 1904

Transcribed by: Candy Grubb (candyg@theofficenet.com)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
WILLIAM V. BROWN
    William V. Brown, deceased.  Since the subject of this memoir
is one of the earliest pioneers of the Colville valley and one of the
most ardent and faithful laborers for the development of the country,
it is very fitting that a special mention of him should be granted in
this volume.  William V. Brown was born in New York City on September
18, 1826, and was the first boy to peddle matches in the streets of
that now great metropolis.  His grit, energy, and keenness were manifested
in that he not only paid his own way and educated himself, but also
furnished the money to educate his brother, James L., who later
became one of the great physicians of the world and was an associate
or Drs. Agnew and Hamilton, and other noted medical men.  He was the
author of several important medical works.  At the age of twenty our
subject went to Georgia and in 1849 he went to South America and
thence to California, where he mined on the north fork of the American
river until 1861.  Fortune favored him and he gained the nice
competence of thirty thousand dollars.  Being a very patriotic and
loyal supporter of the government he spent the entire fortune in the
gubernatorial campaign in that year using his influence for the election
of Governor Stanford.  The governor offered later to reimburse Mr.
Brown by transferring to him numerous shares of the Southern Pacific
Railroad, but Brown promptly replied "I did not spend the money for you,
but for the good of my country."  In 1862 Mr. Brown went to Fraser river,
British Columbia and did some mining, but not being satisfied there,
he started for the Colville country, which he finally reached after
arduous journeying.  He mined at Roger's bar on the Columbia and also
conducted a small merchandise business until the great excitement of
the French Creek country, in the big bend of the Columbia in British
Columbia.  He then started a general merchandise business at Marcus
and became associated with Abrams & Company of Colville in the same
business.  They started a branch store at French Creek.  It was during
this time that Mr. Brown accumulated three hundred thousand dollars.
It was gained through mining and later he lost the entire fortune by
failures in mining.  He promoted various industries and was always a
public spirited citizen, and at one time he started the only ferry on
the Columbia river above Wallula.
    Mr. Brown was married in 1864, and one son Charles F., was the
fruit of this union.  William V. Brown was descended from Lord Vernar
on his mother's side, Charles F. Brown, the only son of our subject,
was born on July 17, 1865.  He married Miss Mary, daughter of H.M. and
Julia Signor, and they have two daughters, Mary V. and Geraldine G.
At the present time he is handling a barber business in Meyers Falls.
William V. Brown died on January 13, 1888, mourned by all who knew him,
for he was a good man, actuated by sound principles, and ever manifesting
the integrity and uprightness that are so becoming the true man.

******************************************************************
USGENWEB NOTICE:  These electronic pages  may not be reproduced in
any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or
persons.  Persons or organizations  desiring to use this material,
must obtain the  written consent of the  contributor, or the legal
representative of the  submitter, and contact  the listed USGenWeb
archivist with proof of this consent.
******************************************************************