Frank M. Brownson Biography


	This biography appears on pages 773-774 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. I (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	FRANK M. BROWNSON. - The enterprising spirit which has been the 
dominant factor in the wonderful development of the west is manifested 
in the life record of Mr. Brownson, who is a most energetic and 
progressive young farmer of Yankton county. He was born in North 
Dakota, April 28, 1869, his parents being Almon C. and Hannah J. (Judd) 
Brownson, the former a native of Connecticut and the latter of the 
Empire state. They lived in New York for thirty years and the father 
there engaged in farming. In 1864 he came to the west, settling in 
South Dakota. He traveled across the country from Iowa and on reaching 
his destination purchased a farm near Mechling, this state. After a 
year, however, he came to Yankton county and secured a claim of one 
hundred and sixty acres of government land, upon which not a furrow had 
been turned or an improvement made. Indians still visited the 
neighborhood and pioneer conditions existed on every hand, but with 
resolute purpose Mr. Brownson began the development of his farm and the 
establishment of his home on this western district. He improved his 
place and has since lived upon it, making it a very attractive and 
desirable farm. His political support is given to the Republican party, 
of which he has ever been an earnest advocate. His wife passed away in 
November, 1895, in the faith of the Methodist church, of which she was 
long a devoted member. In their family were eight children: Frederick 
E., Daniel E., Carrie, Mary, Herbert, Martha J., George and Frank. They 
also lost one child that died  in infancy.

	The members of the household were provided with good educational 
privileges, which Frank M. Brownson enjoyed and whereby he became 
fitted for life's practical and responsible duties. At the age of 
fifteen years he took charge of the home farm and during the past 
eleven years he has rented this place, carrying on agricultural 
pursuits.  

	On the 30th of June, 1891, Mr. Brownson was united in marriage to 
Miss Maggie Seddon, a daughter of Henry and Agnes (Weir) Seddon, both 
of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, whence they came to South Dakota 
in 1882, the father purchasing the farm near Yankton. He became well 
known as a successful agriculturist and his death which occurred in 
March, 1894, was deeply deplored by many friends. His wife has since 
become the wife of Rev. J. L. Grey and now lives upon the old 
homestead. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Brownson have been born four children: 
Ethel, eleven years of age; Edgar, seven years of age; Dorothy, a 
little maiden of four years; and Roy, who completes the family at the 
age of two years. The parents hold membership in the Methodist 
Episcopal church and Mr. Brownson is connected with the Modern Woodmen 
of America, while in political faith he is a Republican. Having spent 
all of his life in this county, he is well known and the fact that many 
of his staunchest friends are those with whom he has been acquainted 
from his boyhood days is an indication that his has been an honorable 
and upright career.