The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1886-02-04
Ex-eov. NEIL s. BROWN.
Death of this Eminent Patriot and States
man at Nashville.

man at Nashville.
Ex-Gov. Neil S. Brown died at
his home in East Nashville at 1:20
O'Clock last Saturday morning in
his seventy sixth year. Gov. Brown
had been confined to his home for
the past two years-not from dis
ease so much as q general giving
way of q once vigorous constitution.
He had been gradually growing
more feeble since last November,
though he complained Of no pain.
He retained his mental vigOr till
last Tuesday when he suddenly be
came unconscious and from that
moment his spirit began to prepare
for its fight to other realms. His
death was seemingly painless.
He was born in Giles county
April 18th, 1910. His parents were
descendants of Scotch Presbyte-
rians and were among the pioneers
of Giles county. At the age of sew
enteen the subject Of this sketch
was compelled TO begin che battle
of life in earnest. He taught school
for a while, saved money, went to
school and finally completed his
collegiate and his law course, be-
ing admitted to the bar soon after
ward.
After his return from the Semi
mole war in 1886, in which he serv-
ed as a soldier in the ranks, he was
elected to the legislature in 1887
from Giles county. He was elected
governor Of the state, as a whig, in
1847 and served with distinction
In 1850 he was appointed United
States minister to Russia and acted
in that capacity for three years. In
1855 he represented Davidson coun-
ty in the legislature and was elect
ed speaker of the house. Six years
later the civil war came on and ht
went south.
In 1870 he was elected a membel
of the state constitutional conven
ton. He held no Office other thar
this from the close of the war to the
time of his death, though he con
tinued to practice law up to three
years ago. In his prime he wal
considered one of the ablest law
yers in Tennessee. He was an cleo.
tor on the ticket of Judge White in
1885 and of Henry Clay in 1874
He was always an ardent friend Of
common schools and of education
His rapid rise from poverty to
renown by no other means than
those he could invent unaided pro
claim the great strength of charac-
ter and unyielding energy that
made the man. He is remembered
and loved in Giles by the older in
habitants, and the younger genera
tiens have been taught to honor his
name and emulate his deeds. Gov,
Brown. was not only q patriot, a
statesman, a lawyer, a citizen, q
neighbor-excelling in all these re-
lations-but he had strong religious
convictions and firm faith in Je-
sus Christ and his own salvation.
1t has been said otherwise of him,
but his pastor, DR.. Trenholm, and
his lifelong friend, DR.. McFerrin,
both bear testimony to his religious
protestations.
The bar and citizens of Nashville
paid unusual honors to the distin-
guished dead, recognizing and &C
cording him his place as the first
citizen of Tennessee. Some of the
richest encomiums that ever follow
ed q human soul into eternity were
pronounced over the bier of this
great man dead by many of the
most eminent men Of Tennessee.
PULASKI CITIZENS MEETING.
At 2 o'clock last Monday a meet
ing of the citizeps of Giles county
was held at the court house to take
suitable action to honor the memo
ry of her dead son. Hon. Jno. G.
Lester called the meeting to order
and named Hon. Thos. n. Jones
for chairman. Judge Jones briefly
announced that the meeting was
preliminary to q memorial meeting
of the people for future day.
Hon. Flournoy Rivers was made
secretary.
On motion by Mr.. Lester the
chair appointed a committee to ar
range for the memorial meeting as
follows: Hon. Scion E. Rose,
Messrs. Jas. McCallum, A. r. Rich
ardson, J. B. Stacy, A. H. Aberna-
thy, j. J.. Jones, P. II. Ezell, B. F.
Carter, Jesse Mayes, Joshua Nor
ris, r. G. P. White, E. Edmundson,
R. M. Bugg, John Gordon, Sam
Yokely, T. M. N. Jones, Miller
Bass, Jas. Scruggs, M. S. Waters,
Jos. B. Anthony, j. Mel Patteson,
Jno. c. Lester, q. W. Ewing, JnO.
T. Allen, W. F. Ballentine, Thos. B.
Harwell, r. H. Laird, S. G. Mitch
ell, G. W. McLaurine, G. II. Witt,
Jno. C. Walker, L. W. McCord, N.
Smithson, Thos. N. Jones.
Chairman Rose requested q meet
ing of the committee at his Office
tomorrow.
Col. A. H. Alternately paid q
glowing tribute to the deceased.
The memorial meeting will take
place at II m. next Saturday.