Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1863-07-24
The First West Va. Legislature.
j SENATE
Sketches Personal Political and BIZ
ographical.
SENATE.
BY AN OBSERVER
JOHN j. BROWN.

SEQ Mr.. BRowS is a resident of Kingwood,
Preston COunty, aud is one of the Senators
representing the district of Monongalia,
Preston and Taylor, he and Mr.. Bunker
being elected over Messrs Dering and Sim
sci. He was born where he now resides,
in November, 1925. At the age of IL be
entered the Monongalia Academy, at Nor
gautoWn, where he remained about three
years, when he entered the junior class at
Washington College, Washington, Peuu.,
then under the Presidency of Kew. DR.. Nc
Conaughy, aud graduated at that Institu-
ton in the year IS45, at the age of 20.
Returning home. he became a law stu
dent in the Office of his uncle. Hon. William
G. Brown, aud during the time of his ap-
premiership at the law. acted as deputy
Clerk in the County Clerks Office of his
county, a position we'll calculated to aid
him in the practical part of his studies.
In due time he obtained the autograph
of three judges-Fry, Lee and McComasr
and stuck out his shingle in partnership
with his uncle. That partnership still ex-
lists, aud has won reputation second to
few iu the State, and which is owing per-
haps, not more to the legal knowledge and
experience of the uncle, than to the indus
try, activity and ability of the nephew.
Mr. Browns grandfather and grand
mother came from the old country just af-
ter the Revolutionary war, and settled in
MonOugalia (uow, Preston) county; the
former was one of the
"scots who hA' WI Wallace bIed,"
and the latter was pearl from the "Gem
of the Ocean," the Emerald Isle.
Mr.. Brown has been a democrat ever
since his eyes were greeted by the light
voted for Cass in l94S. Pierce in 1852,
Buchanan 1856, and Breckiuridge in 1850,
which is undoubtedly strong democratic
record--n little too strong, Mr.. Brown
thinks, for he very much regrets the last
vote. Like great many ott ers (the wri.
ter voted tor John Bell, Mr.. Brown, take
courage y he was deceived, but has learned
u valuable lesson 10 politics. He had not
been initiated into the order of the
"K. g. C's-r
He declared his opposition to the ordi-
nance of secession, took the stump against
it, and labored with all his power until
the day of election to defeat il, and had
the satisfaction of seeing Preston county
vote about as follows: For secession So;
against it 1900 He was candidate tor
the Legislature in the spring of 1851, but
declined, principally for the reason that
he did not care about going to Richmond
| to represent his constituents among trait
ore; was elected to the June Convention of
1861, which restored the State Govern
ment; was q member of the late Constitu-
tional Convention, of which he was one of
the best members. approved its Coustitu-
ton and lGbored for its adoption. He OPP
posed the Battelle resolutions, believing
that time would eradicate the institution
of slavery, and voted with all the members
for the clause prohibiting slaves from
coming Into the State; found that the sal
walton of West Virginia depended upon
the admission of the New State; and, will
ling to sacrifice all personal feelings for
that, be. at the re-assembled session of the
Convention, voted for gradual emancipa-
ton, and urged it before the people.
Mr.. Brown is a member of the NJ. +.
Church, aud is exemplary in his conduct,
temperate in his habits in all thugs, aud
is model worthy of imitation. He be-
lieVes that the rebellion is but the dealings
of the Great Ruler to bring in, very speed
lily, in power and great glory, the everlast-
ing Kingdom of Christ
AIR. Browns personal appearance is stri-
king, but not particularly handsome; face
sharp aud long, eyes blush gray, bright,
clear aud full; forehead high and broad;
eyebrows heavy; nose long and sharp;
mouth large; chin small; wears short whis-
kers, dark, but considerably tinged with
grayj bair dark brown and quite thick
He speaks not very often, but very well
aud very short. He is one of the most
pointed aud logical debaters in the Senate;
does not say word too much or too little,
and nothing that is not right to the point;
his questions are natural and forceful aud
his euunciatioH is exceedingly clear and
striking; when he speaks his head always
iuclines to the left, either from habit or as
the result of eRrnestnesS
Mr.. Brown is Chairman of the Commit
tee on Finance and Claims, and is a mem
Der of the Committee on Courts of Justice
and General Laws, and other important
committees. he writes with rapidly and
great beauty.
AR. Brown has handsome wife and
three children, which he, unlike most pa
rents, considers as models of beauty and
grace.