Obituary of Pleas J. Brown, 1919, Baker County, Oregon
Surnames: Brown, Young, Lawrence, Lew

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Transcribed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
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Eagle Valley News; Richland, OR; 8 May 1919

PLEAS BROWN PASSES

After an illness of about two months, due to complications following
influenza, death claimed P. J. Brown at his home in Baker at 3:45 on Friday
afternoon, May 3rd. The funeral was held on Sunday afternoon, many residents
of Eagle Valley being in attendance.

"Pleas" as the deceased was generally called, was born in the state of Iowa
sixty-five years ago and came to Oregon with his parents in 1864, locating in
Eagle Valley, where he secured his education. He worked as a farm hand in this
neighborhood until '75 when he assisted in driving a large band of cattle to
Nevada, where he remained for about two years before returning to Eagle Valley
and engaging in the stock business, of which he made a marked success by his
honesty and square dealing.

On January 1, 1879, he was married to Miss Zona Young, a daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. Newt Young, the ceremony being performed in the house now ocupied by Mr.
and Mrs. J. W. Carnahan and family. The present townsite of New Bridge is
located on a part of the homestead where Mr. and Mrs. Brown dwelt for many
years.

Mr. Brown was elected commissioner of Union county in 1892 and was offered the
office again but declined, he likewise refused to be ca candidate for state
representative. He served as clerk of our school board, also as a director,
for several terms, and always manifested great interest in the welfare and
improvement of this community.

About four years ago he sustained injuries at a wreck in the stockyards at
Baker as a result of which one of his limbs was amputated last spring. In
spite of this handicap he continued in business, driving his own car or riding
horseback with apparently no inconvenience.

Many a stockman in Eagle Valley, as well as other parts of the county, owe
their success to the assistance and advice given by "Pleas." His word was as
good as his bond and he placed great confidence in the word of others. Many
transactions, often amounting to tens of thusands of dollars, were made by
verbal agreement only, and he never failed to carry out his part of the
contract even though it meant financial loss to him, which was the case many
times when buyng or selling sheep and cattle.

He is survived by his wife, two sons, Roscoe and Sylvester, and three
daughters, Mrs. Ellen Lawrence, Mrs. June Lew and Miss Zona Brown, all of whom
reside in or near Baker and were near him during the last hours.

To the bereaved relatives there is offered heartfelt sympathy by unnumbered
friends throughout the state, but greater than all is the consolation that the
life of the departed was not spent in vain for he worked with this motto in
mind "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."