The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1873-12-12

JAMES BRowN, formerly of this coun-
ty. Mr.. Brown came to this county
about the year 1830,and located at Som
erset. In the year 1882, he was elected
County Surveyor, an Office which he held,
with slight interruption, during the
period, of his residence in Perry county.
In his profession he was very skillful,
being fine mathematician, and fully
veying. To this he added general tai
ents of the first order Few men have
ever been among us more fairly gifted
by nature with fine talents, and great
capacities than "Old Scat Brown" as he
is most familiarly, and even affection
ately. known to the people of this coun-
ty. "Scat," was nickname, which he,
like almost every body else that ever
lived in Somerset, received here, and re-
tanned ever afterwards.
In person Mr.. Brown was tall, and
powerful. His presence was imposing,
stately, and at the same time attractive.
His manner was most genial, and he
possessed the elements of personal pop
ularity in a degree that would have in
sured success, had his ambition been
higher, for his talents were such as fitted
him for any position to which the peo-
pie of the county might have called him.
But his convivial habits, and his high
disdain of demagoguery, and its low arts
of shame, and sneakery, kept him, in a
great measure, out of the politi-
cal areua.-The only office he ever asked
or held was that of County Surveyor,
and that was not of any polieial signifi-
canoe, or importance.
He was fond of music, though uncul-
tured in the science; yet he attained
such proficiency on the violin, that his
fiddle, figures as conspicuously in the
traditions of the country, as his compass,
and the legends of his skill with the lat
ter, are quite as marvellous, as the tales
we all read in our boyhood, and still
love to read of Boon's and Wetzel's skill
with the rifle.
For many years he resided at Oak
field in this county, a town of which, we
believe, he was the first protector. Ger
tain it is that he was the Surveyor ofthe
town, and named it. While a resident
there he frequently spent week or two
in Somerset, surveying in the neighbor-
hood, making his head quarters at the
hotel in this place. And then from ear
ly evening till late at night, he was the
central figure of jovil crowd. The
music of his fiddle flowed out into the
streets, gay and inviting and the crowd
gathered in from all quarters. Not the
loafers and boys, but the men of culture
and talent, the educated and accomplish
ed, were his chief auditors, for his splen-
did colloquie powers, his rich and ex-
haustless humor, his overfowing gener-
osity, brilliant imagination and rare ex-
cellence as story teller, never failed to
gather around him on the occasion of
every visit, the choicest spirits of the
place, to enjoy his music, and laugh in
high hilarious glee over his inimitable
tales of grotesque adventure and his
huge store of original fun.
Sadly we chronicle his death. He
was one of natures noble men. Not
without faults, for he was as true a
piece of human stuff as ever trod the
earth; yet his short comings hurt only
himself The world was no worse for
him having been in it; but some better
some, at any rate, if not much, as many
of who knew him best can testify. Many
times weak, but never wicked, failing al
times, but never falling into oaime, OF
dishonorable practices; erratic, wilful
and unambitious, but gifted with high
intellect, and ennobled by. all generous
human impulses, he led use.
full, if not brilliant cateer, admired by
many, loved by all, and has gone dowr
to the grave in ripe fullness of year
sincerely lamented by all who ever knew
him. Requiesedt IN peace.
: p HI r.