BIO:  OLIVER J. F. BROWNAWELL, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
   
  Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Joe Patterson
  OCRed by Judy Banja

  Copyright 2004.  All rights reserved.
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/
  _____________________________________________________________

  >From Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania,
  Chicago: The Genealogical Publishing Co., 1905, pages 732-734
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  NOTE: Use this web address to access other bios:
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/zeamer/

  
    OLIVER J. F. BROWNAWELL, a veteran of the Civil war, and a highly esteemed
  resident of Monroe township, Cumberland county, living near Churchtown, is a
  son of Elias, and a grandson of Henry, the latter of whom was born in
  Cumberland county, of French ancestry.
    
    Early in life Henry Brownawell was a day laborer, but later he farmed in
  Middlesex township, where he died. His children were as follows: Polly Ann
  died in Middlesex township; Mrs. George Keller died in Silver Spring
  township; George died in Perry county; Susanna died in North Middleton
  township; Elias; Nancy died in the west; David is living in Perry county, now
  in his ninetieth year; Henry died in South Middleton township; Sallie died in
  Middlesex township; Elizabeth died in Middlesex township.
    
    Elias Brownawell, son of Henry, was born in Middlesex township, and
  received a common school education. When old enough he began working by the
  day, and learned the trade of a weaver. After his marriage, Elias located in
  Middlesex township,
    
    CUMBERLAND COUNTY.  733
    
  near Carlisle Springs, where he purchased a small tract of land, upon which
  he built a house and engaged in day's work and weaving, remaining there a
  number of years. Later he moved three miles southeast of Carlisle Springs,
  where he engaged in farming for some years, when he removed to Perry county,
  and there bought forty-seven acres of land. That was his home at the time of
  his death in 1869. His wife, who also died at the same home, was Catherine
  Lephart, daughter of Jacob and Catherine Lephart, of Cumberland county. The
  children born of the marriage of Elias Brownawell and wife were: Oliver J.
  F.; Simon D., living in Middlesex township; George Edward, living in Perry
  county; William Henry, killed in Illinois, falling from a building and
  breaking his neck, he being a carpenter by trade; Joseph C., living at
  Harrisburg; Sarah S., living in Perry county; Mary Elizabeth, living in
  Shepherdstown; Amanda Rebecca, living at Carlisle; Eleanor, living at Car
  lisle; Albert, living at Philadelphia; and two children who died in infancy.
    
    Oliver J. F. Brownawell was born in Middlesex township, Cumberland county,
  Sept. 13, 1835, and received his education in the primitive schools of his
  day, working upon the farm during the summer months, and learning the trade
  of a carpenter. Like so many young men of his time, when he was ready to
  start out on his life work, he married, his choice being Miss Mary Ann
  Kunkle, daughter of George Kunkle.
    
    After his marriage, Mr. Brownawell, located in Middlesex township, and was
  succeeding nicely in his work, when the call came from the President for
  troops, and so Sept. 8, 1862, he enlisted at Mechanicsburg in Company G, 84th
  P. V. I., being one ofthe first men in the regiment, and was mustered in at
  Harrisburg. He served almost three years as a part of the Army of the
  Potomac, and later under General Grant. During all that time Mr. Brownawell
  was never wounded, but became ill and was in the hospital for a long time.
  Finally he was mustered out at Washington, D. C., in 1865, and returned home
  to Middlesex township. The following five years were spent there, but in
  1873, he removed to Monroe township, and purchased a small farm of twenty
  acres, near Churchtown, and a four-acre tract of woodland. At present he is
  living on his farm, and is succeeding well. The children born to Mr. and Mrs.
  Brownawell were: Charles F., deceased; Samuel O., of Monroe township; Murray
  J. and Newton A., of Churchtown; Stella J., who married Murray Bows; and
  Rena, wife of Weir Hartzler. In politics, Mr. Brownawell is a Democrat, but
  has never taken an active part in public affairs. He is a consistent member
  of the Lutheran Church of Churchtown, and is very popular in it, as he is
  throughout his neighborhood.

    GEORGE KUNKLE, father of Mrs. Brownawell, was born in Perry county. In his
  youth he learned the shoe making trade, following it a number of years, when
  he engaged in farming, and thus continued until he was eighty years of age,
  when he retired. His death occurred in Middlesex township four years later.
  He was a man of high standing in his community, and was sincerely respected.
  For his first wife he married Sallie Rousch, who died in Perry county,
  leaving the following children: John; Eliza; Margaret; Sarah; George; Mary
  (Mrs. Brownawell); Adeline and Samuel (twins), the latter killed during the
  Civil war. After the death of his first wife Mr.
    
    734  CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
    
  Kunkle married her sister, who bore him three children and died aged seventy.
  The children of the second union were: Wilhelmina, living at Greason; and Levi
  and Albert H., who both died at Carlisle.