BIO: Hiram BROWN, Huntingdon County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: 
Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, 
Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative 
Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. 
Runk & Co., 1897, pages 165-166.
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  HIRAM BROWN, Meadow Gap, Huntingdon county, Pa., was born June 8, 
1830, in Springfield township, Huntingdon county, son of John and Annie 
(Wagner) Brown. Joshua Brown, his grandfather, was a native of 
Maryland. He removed to Huntingdon county, and bought a farm near 
Maddensville. Joshua Brown was married to Charlotte Morris, and during 
the Indian depredations they took refuge at Fort Littleton, Fulton 
county, Pa. It was a time of continual fear; the men even had to stand 
guard when the women went out to milk the cows. Mr. Brown and his wife 
were members of the old school Baptist church. They died on the farm, 
and are buried in the cemetery attached to the Baptist church in 
Springfield township. A brother of Joshua Brown's resided in North 
Carolina.
  John Brown, father of Hiram Brown, was born in Springfield township 
in 1796. he was educated in subscription schools, but early in life 
began to make his own living. He was a young man when he was employed 
in constructing the Chambersburg pike. John Brown was a sturdy, 
athletic young man, an acknowledged master in wrestling. The young men 
of his neighborhood, when they met for sport, used to cast lots for a 
wrestling match by throwing up their hats; the two whose hats fell 
nearest together were forthwith pitted against each other, for the 
amusement of the rest. It may be supposed, that when John Brown chanced 
to be one of these haphazard champions his opponents felt challenged to 
display all his muscles and his mettle. While still a single man, John 
Brown worked by the day or by the month, for others; but not long after 
his marriage, he bought a farm near Brownsville, Springfield township, 
which he gradually cleared, the principal part of it by himself, but as 
his boys grew up, inheriting his strength and capacity for work, they 
did their share in improving the soil of the homestead. Their first 
house was built of logs, but was afterwards replaced by a larger and 
more convenient frame dwelling. John Brown, in his earlier years, 
belonged to the old line Whig party, but in later times was a 
Republican. He was active in politics; was several times elected 
supervisor, and also served many terms as tax collector. The children 
of Mr. and Mrs. John Brown are: Elias, married Susan Wilson, resided 
first in Clay township, Huntingdon county, afterwards removed to Fulton 
county, where he still resides, his wife being deceased; Elihu, who 
served eleven months in the war of the Rebellion, was married to Nancy 
Ramsey, who died at their first home, near Mt. Carmel church, and now 
resides in Fulton county; Missouri, married to Richard Traux, both died 
near Mapleton, Pa.; Mahala, widow of Thomas Wilson, lives in Fulton 
county; Amy, widow of Jacob Cutshall, resides near Dublin Mills; Hiram; 
Mary Ann (Mrs. J. M. Cutshall), resides in Springfield township; 
Everett, farmer, of Springfield township, served three years in the 
late war; Abel, deceased, was also a soldier in the war of the 
Rebellion; Alfred, carpenter, Fulton county, also in the war; Lavinia 
(Mrs. William Grove), of Fulton county; Amanda (Mrs. James French), of 
Fulton county; and Worthman, on the homestead in Springfield township. 
The mother, Mrs. Annie (Wagner) Brown, died on the homestead in 1862, 
at the age of Sixty-six; and her husband also died there, in 1890. He 
was a member of the Baptist church.
  Hiram brown received his education at the Madden school, but did not 
attend school very long. The family was large, and as soon as the boys 
were strong enough to be of service on the farm, they had to assist in 
its labors. Hiram's winter studies at school were therefore soon 
exchanged for the flail and the threshing floor. For two or three years 
before his marriage, he worked at carpentry; ever since that time he 
has been occupied in farming. In 1864, leaving his young wife, he 
enlisted in Company K, Two Hundred and Second Pennsylvania Volunteers, 
enlisting as from Bucks county, and joining his regiment at Harrisburg, 
Pa. He was stationed until mustered out along the Orange and Alexandria 
Railroad, in Virginia, doing guard duty. Being mustered out, August 7, 
1865, Mr. Brown returned home, and continued to live on a rented farm 
until 1867, when he bought his present place, of 296 acres, on which he 
has built barns and fences, planted orchards, and made other 
improvements. Mr. Brown is a Republican, and very loyal to his party. 
He has been on the school board for the past three years. He is a 
member of Colonel Albright Post, G. A. R., at Three Springs.
  Hiram Brown was married, February 28, 1860, at Maplewood, Pa., to 
Catherine, daughter of Joshua and Eve (Bolinger) Johns; she was born 
August 10, 1838, in Cromwell township. Their children are: Clay, 
married Nevada Locke, and resides in Springfield township; Louise T. 
(Mrs. Judson Locke), resides in Huntingdon county; Jennie B. (Mrs. 
Ephraim Anderson), of Fort Littleton, Pa.; and Howard, married Rosena 
Wible, resides with his father. Mr. Brown, although not a church 
member, endeavors to live by the Golden Rule.