Hopkins Co TX -Brown Family of Cumby, by R. W. Harris

From: June E. Tuck 1224be@neto.com>
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From the historical files of June E. Tuck, who does not validate or dispute
any historical facts in the article.

BROWN FAMILY OF CUMBY, BY R. W. HARRIS

Amongst the early settlers around old Black Jack Grove, none stood higher or
had more friends and acquaintance than did Marvin (sic)D. Brown. Mr. Brown was
born in Middle Tennessee in the year 1830, and his early life was spent on his
father’s farm. In 1846, when the war was declared between the United States
and Mexico, only 16 years of age, he enlisted in the army and went to Mexico
with the command of Gen. Winfield Scott, who with his troops sailed from Point
Isabel, Texas, in March 1847. On arrival at Vera Cruz, Scott demanded the
surrender of the city, and upon the refusal of the Mexican commander to
capitulate, the city was bombarded by the fleet, assisted by some land
batteries the Americans had been able to establish, with the result that in
the latter part of March, 1847, the city surrendered, and the American flag
was raised over the city, the Mexican retreating into the interior. In a short
time the march towards the capital of Mexico was begun, and in August that
year the armies of Scott and Gen. Zachary Taylor met and the city was
invested. After several fights in which the army of the United States was
successful, the capital capitulated in September and the combined armies
occupied the city. While no more fighting took place the treaty of peace was
not signed until February 1848, after which the soldiers were sent home.
During the march home from Vera Cruz, Mr. Brown’s health became impaired and
he was sent home shortly after the city was captured. On his return to this
country he was confined in a hospital at Memphis, Tennessee, for some time and
on regaining his health returned to his home in the middle portion of the
state, where he married Miss Salina Sellers, who lived near Nashville,
Tennessee. While there five children were born to them, Louisa, Susan Martha,
Mary, and Marvin D., Jr.

Some time in the early 1860's the family moved to near Black Jack Grove were
Tennie, William, Anna, Pink, Ella and Leon were born. Louisa married a man by
the name of Henson. Susan became the wife of William Box. Martha married Miles
Weston, and his death she married Thomas Bridgeman. Mary married Elmer
Dickson.

Of those born in Texas, Tennie married Wm. Pennman; Anna married W. R.
Stidham, for many years a druggist at this place; Ella married an attorney
named G. O. Green; Pink married a Miss Lucile Pennman at this place; William
married in Oklahoma. All the families are now dead except Mrs. Stidham of
Detroit, Michigan; Dr. Pink Brown of Davis, Oklahoma; and Mrs. Green of
Dallas.

Mr. Brown was a very congenial man and raised a most estimable family. His
home was great gathering place for the younger set, and his daughters were
very popular. Mr. Brown was of a mechanical nature and for many years owned
and operated a cotton gin and mill at this place. He also ran a mill and gin
in Oklahoma, and at one time built a steam boat that he operated on Blue River
in Oklahoma, and invited his friends to take a trip on the boat with him to
New Orleans, but from some cause the contemplated trip was abandoned. He was
postmaster here for more than two years, from June 1883, until December 1885.
His wife died in 1886 and was buried in the Cumby cemetery. Mr. Brown died at
the home of his daughter, Mrs. Bridgeman, in Ardmore, Oklahoma, in 1904, and
his remains were brought here for burial by the side of his wife. In his
burial lot also rest the mortal remains of his daughter, Mrs. Mary Dickson,
his daughter-in-law, Mrs. Pink Brown, his son-in-law, Miles Weston, and his
granddaughter, Florence Weston, beneath the spreading branches of a large
tree. Mr. Brown was a man who made friends and was a man of extensive
influence over a large portion of Hopkins county. The only blood relation that
survives him in this section, of whom of the writer is aware , is our fellow
townsman U. H. Brown, his nephew

(He is listed as Martin D. Brown in the census and on his tombstone)