The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1875-09-30
BISHOP BROWN.
Interesting Sketch of the Bishop Elect
of the Fond du Lac Diocese.
His Nativity and Labors---An Able and
Jealous Churchman---He Will
Accept.


Accept.
What Is Thought of Him in the Diocese
Of Albany.
CoHoEs, N. Y. Sept 23.-Although
the election of DIR. Brown, the rector of
St. Johns Church III this city, to the
Episcopate of Fond du Lac, WAS with
out his knowledge or consent, and con-
sequently a complete surprise to him, it
is thought by his friends that sense of
duty to the Church will compel him to
accept the honorable but onerous posi-
ton. SO the new diocese may congratu-
late itself on securing so untiring, able
and Jealous churchman as the Bishop
elect has proved to be at all times dur
ing his connection with the church. He
was born III the city of New York, Dec.
L, 1881, graduated from the General
Theological Seminary, i'll that city, IN
1854, and is a classmate of DR.. Dekoven,
Seymour, and Locke, all Of whom are
well known in your State, as was the
late Bishop John Henry Hobart, of
New York, who was instrumental III the
removal of the Oneida Indians from
Western New York to Wisconsin where
to the Episcopal order. At the time
the transfer was made, Bishop Hobart
had the whole of the State the
diocese over which he presided,
and the father of the Bishop-elect, an
intimate friend and admirer, named his
son after him.
| REV. JOHN HENRY HOBART BROWN, S. T. D.
was advanced to the priesthood by the
| bishop, Dec. l, 1855, and passed por-
| ton of his deaconate as assistant to Rev.
| DR.. Francis Vinten, rector of Grace
| Church, Brooklyn Heights. He soon
! founded free church in Brooklyn, now
known as Emmanuel Church, and his
success under circumstances that called
for those qualities that among others he
is noted for, attracted attention to the
| young and earnest clergyman. He was
urged to the charge of Old st. Georges
| Church, Beekman street, New York,
and as rector of that venerable parish
spent four years among the poorest
classes of that city. DR.. Brown became
1868, and devoted himself at once to the
building up of this important parish, as
we'll as to securing division of the
| diocese of New York
HIS SUCCESS
can be measured by the facts that, when
he entered upon his duties in this city,
the Episcopal Church was a low, square
frame building, painted white, with
green blinds, that had undergone no
improvement within the memory of the
Oldest inhabitant, and during his past
! crate handsome stone church edltice,
in the gothic stvle of architecture, has
been erected at a cost of $40, 900; thathis
parish is now one of the largest in the
diocese, having more than 500 communi-
cants, and this in a city of about $4,000
Inhabitants; that the diocese of New
York, which is about the size, territoIi-
ally, of that Of Fond du Lac, came near
having him for bishop, as he, without
seeking 1T received a strong vote.
HIS PRESENT POSITION.
Dr. Brown, being deeply interested in
the diocese of Albany, has performed a
large share of the diocesan work, and his
departure to the new field will leave a
void that will require probably three adj
d1tlonal ciergymen; for at present he is
archdeacon of the cOnvocatiOn of Albany,
| a delegate to the general convention,
| secretary OF the standing committee,
chairman of the committee on constitu-
| ton and canons and member of many
| important organizations, and, besides
| having executive talent of high order,
! he has had the advantage of growing
up with the diocese since its oundation,
and these several duties devolved upon
| him so gradually that he was enabled to
attend to them. 1t is also proper to
state that the clergy and laity of the
! diocese seemed to look upon him as best
| calculated to fill these positions. Indeed
| DIR. Browns name has several times been
brought forward in connection with vac
ant Episcopates, such as that of Albany,
| Wisconsin and New Jersey. He is well
known as a decided and outspoken
churchman, he has the thorough con
fidence of the clergy and laity of all
schools in the diocese, and is not only
respected, but is warmly esteemed.
IN APPEARANCE
he is the beautiful ideal Of an Episcopal
clergyman; in the prime of life-iust
twelve days older than the recently elect
ed Bishop of Illinois; dark hair and full
beard, both becoming1y trimmed,
of upright fgure-neither spare nor full
he is clerical, dignifed and gentle
manly. Like many others of his pro-
fessiop, he wears spectacles, which in
his case adds to the completeness of his
tout esealbte. AS an executive officer he
is a success as the foregoing shows, and
as pastor thousands can rise up and
testify as to his ministrations, while as
preacher he is fluent, cultivated and
with delivery full of earnestness, and
with a voice that is carefully trained in
its modulations, and which is as pleasant
as it is rarely met with. He frequently
breaches without notes or written
sermon, and always takes a leading part
in the choral service. In fact he is
live, as well as an accomplished, earnest
Christian, and this city will regret his
departure, as well as that of his family,
wife and two daughters, all of whom
have endeared themselves by their anna
BILE qualities, the former an accomplish
ed musician and vocalist. DR.. Brown
married the younger daughter of Richard
Upiohn. Esq, the distinguished arch
itect of Trinity Church, New York, and
president of the National Association of