BIOGRAPHIES: Bernard J. BROWN, Augusta, Eau Claire Co., WI ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor, or the legal representative of the contributor, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: S. J. Schwarze 16 May 2001 ==================================================================== BERNARD J. BROWN, of section 9, township 28, range 3 west, town of Withee, and also a pioneer of the town, was born near Rutland, Vermont, October 16, 1841, a son of Peris Brown, a native of the same place, and now of Augusta, Eau Claire County, Wisconsin. He emigrated to McHenry County, Illinois, in 1842, settling in Coral Township, five miles west of Huntley Grove. In 1856 they removed to Black River Falls, this State, where the father engaged in the hardware business until 1871, when they removed to Augusta, where they now reside. Our subject's mother was formerly Achasah Parks, a native of Vermont. The parents had seven children, namely: Helen, now Mrs. Harrison Marshall, of Neillsville; Edna, now Mrs. Peter Gwin, of Loyal, this county; Bernard, our subject; Benjamin F., of Minneapolis; Emeline, now Mrs. A. S. Eaton, of St. Paul; Mary, who married C. F. Stone, of West Superior, Wisconsin; and Edward P., of West Superior also. The subject of this sketch received his education in Huntley and Black River Falls, where he also followed carpentering. He enlisted in the late war, in Company G, Fifth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, serving nine months. He was in the battles of Hatcher's Run, February 6, 1865; Petersburg, Virginia, March 25, 1865; Petersburg again, April 2, 1865; Sailor's Creek, April 6, 1865, and many others. He came out without having received a wound, and after the war returned to Black River Falls, where he resumed his trade. In the fall of 1871 he came to this county and took a homestead of 160 acres, his present home, and in January, 1872, brought his family to this place. He built a round-log cabin, with shake roof, which he occupied several years, or until he erected a hewed-log house, where he lived until 1883. He then built his present large frame residence, 20 x 30 feet, with additions 12 x 18 feet, and one and a half story high, with a cellar under the latter part. He owns 120 a cres of land, of which forty acres are cleared. Mr. Brown was the first Postmaster of Winnieoka, having been appointed in 1874. The postoffice was at his house, and was also the first postoffice west of Longwood. He also added a stock of general merchandise to this office, and traded with the settlers and Indians. The wild animals were numerous, and Mr. Brown established a deer lick, where he killed many animals, which afforded him plenty of venison. He once shot a deer from the window of a neighbor's house, while sitting in a rocking chair, and often shot them through the cracks of his barn. He has been a member of the Town Board two terms, School Clerk several years, and Town Treasurer one year. He is a member of the G. A. R., and was Commander one year of Asbra Welcome Post, No. 163, of Thorp. Mrs. Brown is a member of the W. R. C. Of Mr. Brown's early experiences in this county, one is expecially worthy of mention: There were no roads here except logging roads, and those were cut through by settlers. He started to Greenwood with his mule team for supplies, and upon reaching Black River found it very high, with a jam of logs across the ford. He left the wagon and harness, went up the river a short distance, and after much hard work succeeded in pushing one mule into the river. He jumped upon his back, the other mule following, and in this way swam across. He secured his supplies, carried them across on the jam, and swam the mules across to this side. Mr. Brown was married in Buffalo, New York, November 15, 1865, to Arvilla, daughter of Elijah and Judith Folsom. The parents had four children, three of whom still survive: Dexter, Erie County, New York; Jeanette, now Mrs. A. LeClaire, of Black River Falls, Wisconsin; and Rosett, now Mrs. T. W. Letson, of Buffalo, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have three children: Nettie A., born May 25, 1868; Roy B., April 18, 1873; and Winnie E., October 13, 1877. Nettie married Irvin A. Jackson, of Eau Claire County, and they have one child named Vilas H., and born July 18, 1890. --Transcribed from the "History of Clark & Jackson Co., WI", 1891, pg. 198-299.