The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1859-03-09
DEATH OF AARON v. BROWN.


before ten o'clock This event has cast deep
gloom over the whole country It has fallen upon
his beloved family with crushing weight Their loss
is, indeed, irreparabe. In all the relations of life
the deceased statesman bore the character of
able and upright man. Beloved 10y his family and
his countrymen, his home was the Of unafect-
ed kindness and his sudden and untimey death will
be universally lamented
As as officer of the government, he was guided by
enlarged and philosophc views of the present and
future of his great country, which he loved and
cherished with all the ardor and patriotism of his
generous nature. His political vision keener
than that of most men. lie saw more of the expand
ing future, more of that greatness aud power of the
American Union which is TO be developed IN
time His hopes were large and his confidence in
the patriotism of his countrymen unbounded. lie
had been educated iii the school of practical life.
He had been pioneer to the great West, the re-
sources of which he had contributed to unfold.
He had been the artificer of his own fortunes. lie
was great in the line of true greatness he had
risen to the foremost ranks of life, always active,
earnest and faithful guide and exemplar to his coun-
trymen He brought to the cabinet of Mr.. Buchan-
an, not only apt experience, but comprehensive
views liberal enlarged, and statesmanlike. His de-
voiion ~ the public service knew no relaxation. 1t
was equalled only by his anxiety to conduct the
complicated affairs of his great Department so as to
meet the appreciation and subserve the interests OF
his countrymen.
Death has at length ovcrtaken him. He has been
stricken down in the hour of his greatest devotion to
his country. He has been taken away in the full
vigor of manhood His loss, though grievons blow
to his beloved and excellent flmily-for whom we
have no apt words of coincidence in this honr Of
their deep bereavement a national calamity Dis
tnguishcd by ability and cultivated intellect expe-
renced, energetic and upright in the public service
10 which large portion OF his life had been devoted,
his loss falls with peculiar force and damaging effect
upon the country
The administration of President Buchanan has lost
one Of its ablest and best men The President, and
the colleagues of tho deceased in the Cabinet are
borne down by heavy grief; for wise and good man
has been taken from their councils a friend and
brother who commanded their confidence and aiec-
ton has been cutoff in the midst of his Jealous abors
in maintaining the integrity and efficiency OF the gov
vcrnnent In the midst of life we are in death
LIFE AND PUBLIC SERVICES or GOVERNOR BROWN.
Aaron v Brown, late Postmaster General was born
on the 18th OF August l795. in the county OF Bruins
wick Virginia His father, the Rev Aaron Brown, en-
listed when not yet Of lawful age for three in the
revolutionary army He in the battle of Trenton,
and participated in that memorable march through
the Jerseys where the OF the American army was
known to the enemy by the blood of its barcfooted sol
derv He was also of the sufferers in the encamp-
mont at Valley Forge during the winter OF l' .,
where disease and famine and nakedness so often drew
tears from the illustrous Washington AT the close o.
his term of service he returned to the county of Bruins
wick where he continued to reside forty near forty years
in the midst of those who had witnessed his early and
patriotic c,reer respected and beloved by all as faithful
aud useful minister OF the Gospel of the Methodist per
suason an upright civil magistrate saunch republi
can Of the old Jeersonian school, and honest man
The subject of this memoir the issue of his second
marriage with Elizabeth Melton, corrupted from Mil
toni of Northampton county in the State OF North
Carolina.
Except in the simplest elements, Gov Brown was cdu-
Gated in the last mentioned State He was sent when
ye,y Young to Westrayyle Academy in the county OF
Nash in order to be placed under the caro- of Mr. John
Bobt one the best scholars and teachers OF the time
After continuing here for two years. he was transferred
the 1872 to the University OF Nofth Iaoin at
Chanel Hill He graduated in this institution in 1914
in large class of which Senator Mingum and Gov
Manley of North Carolina, also members Tue
duty was assigned to him by the faculty, and confirmed
by the trustees of delivering the valedicto grafton
--,rs- and the service performed in n
manner which prodnced the rrrc5s----... :
the large assembly then in attendance. The coegrs
career of but few young is marked by incidents of
sufficient importance to be recited in notice Ike this
Industry in preparing for aud punotuality ia attending
at the hour of recitation we'll as the cheerful
conformity TO the rules OF the institution the most
striking characteristics of his educational course
Having finished his educational course, Gov Brown
returned to his parents who in the previous year had
moved to the county of Giles in the State of Tennessee
About the beginning of the year 1915 he commenced the
study of the law in the Office OF The late Judge Irimbe
in the town Of Nashville. With this gentleman he con
tnued 10 read years, and often refers to him
as one OF the most systematic, able AID upright men he
eyer knew Having obtained license, he opened an Of
fee in Nashville and commenced practice in that city
with the most atterng prospects OF success About s
time however, Alfred M. Harris, who engaged in a
very extensive practice in nearly all the southern coun
ties of Middle Tennessee, accepted place the bench
and solicited Gov Brown TO to the county OF
Giles and close up his extensive business for him The
opportunity inviting and that being the residence of
his now aged parents ho determined to settle in that
county Taking charge at of extensive practice
both civil and criminal including the land litigation then
an important and almost distinctive branch of the profess
sion Gov Brown found all the resources OF his mind
into in,,ne1ate reaustion he