The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1889-08-09
DEATH OF JUDGE JAMES BROWN
A Prominent Citizen passes.Away-
Details of An Eventful Life.

| One of Mankato's most prominent and hon.
| ored citizens has started to explore that
death of Judge James Brown Saturday even
/ ing was not unexpected, but nevertheless cast
u shade OF sorrow over the city when an
nounced Sunday morning. Death occurred
| at 1905 O'clock, and resulted from the effects
| of paralysis of the throat. While II was known
| to the members Of the family that the worst
must ensue within u few days, II was not sup
posed even by the doctors Andrews and War
ner, that IL would occur 30 soon as 1t did. One
| OF the physicians left the bedside shortly be-
| fore ten O'Clock Saturday night, and stated
| that he thought the patient would live through
| the night. But, few moments later, Judge
Brown passed away peacefully. His brother,
David Brown, OF Forest Hill, Ind, was ut the
bedside at the time. The disease which car
ried the sufferer away, paralysis, first made Its
appearance about two years ago, and has slow
| ly and steadily made its advance since that
time. year ago last March the deceased lost
his voice TO sucn degree that few outside of
| the family could understand his speech. He
| then gave up his law office. Since then he has
| failed steadily, but during all the time up To
his death his mind was unaffected, and was rs
bright and active as IL was wont to be In lis
Younger days. To within two daysof his death,
and transacted all his private business, unas-
sisted His sutferings were often great, but
were borne with the greatest patience and
cheerfulness. The Unconstitutional no stroke
Of paralysis, IL simply coming upon and carry
ing on its dread ravages almost imperceptibIy.
For the past twenty-four years Judge Brown
has been u prominent figure ON our streets.
and though not 30 often seen or taking 80 act
i've part In business affairs during the past two
years, he will be greatly missed by his &c
quaintances and former business associates.
He was born In Milford township, Butler coun-
ty, Ohio, on March 18th, 1921. His parents
were worthy people, but poor In this worlds
goods, aud could afford him but few advanta-
yes. They emigrated tr. IN Belfast, Ireland, in
1910, and settled in the almost unbroken for
est. James, when little boy, attended the
old-fashioned ''deestrict school, with which
fnft flsrs vlnflh Au on frnu
the East are familiar. The building Was Of
logs, and the instruction not OF the best. In
October, 1910, Mr.. Brown entered Miami Uni.
versity, and graduated with honor III 1915. II
was by only the greatest seifdeniai that he
was enabled TO attend The university, and even
then he was obliged to leave In order to teach
school at Sli month and board himself, in Or
der 10 raise money 10 go back the next term.
W lille in the university he chose the legal pro-
fession Tor his life work, and after leaving the
college he entered the law Office Of .. B. With
erby, at Hamilton. On March 10Th, 1876, ne
was admitted To practice In the circuit court
of Union county, Ind. He then located at
of his profession, starting in with plenty Of
pluck and enterprise, small library, xS0 In
money and single suit OF clothes as his only
capital I'm trade. On Sept. l4th, 1916, he mar
ried Miss Caroline Irwin, the eldest daughter
of Rev. Robert Irwin, of Monroe, Ind.
From now on Mr.. Brown took great inter-
cat in politics, and rapidly rose from one posi-.
Democrat, and always afterwards remained
true to that party and its principles. In 1919
he was chosen TO represent randolph county
in the state legislature. In 1854 ne was APP
pointed by Gov. Wright to the Office of judge
of the court of common pleas OF his district.
II was here that he acquired his title of judge,
which has always chung to his name. He
served i'm this position one term. He took AN |
active interest in the educational matters ut
his county, and served as county examiner OF
teachers. He was also secretary Of the board Of |
trustees OF the academy. His other interests |
did not prevent the judge from taking prom |
inent part in the affairs Of the Presbyterian |
church of his town. From that time until his |
death he was u member OF the Presbyterian |
church, and his interestin Sunday school work |
has been OF great service wherever he has re- /
sided In 1913 he was ordained an elder in the /
Presbyterian church ut Winchester, and after |
wards served as u commissioner to the general |
assembly that met at Columbus, in 1862.
1t is not generally known that Judge Brown /
received u commission during the war as /
Lieut.. Colonel of the Saith Ohio infantry. The /
commission is still among his papers at his /
residence. He never served, however, but did
good service i'm assisting to organize COM
pany. II was almost exclusively through his /
efforts that GO. L, saith Ohio volunteers, was /
raised This company was raised mainly |
among the Democrats Of the county, s6 Of the /
members being Of that political faith.
At the Democratic state convention held III
1864, Judge Brown was chosen presidential
elector for the Fifth congressional district
About the same time he was nominated by /
the Democrats of his district for member of
Congress- The district was several thousand
Julian, was elected by about the usual MAORI
ty. During the campaign, Judge Brown was
often threatened by mob violence and the de-
struction of his residence. About this time
his wife's health became rather poor and he
was Obliged To move. He came to Mankato on
Aug 10Th. 1865. While in Indiana, he was a
colleague and personal friend of Voorhees,,
Vallandingham and Hendricks, all since fa-
nous.
Since coming to Mankato, Judge Brown has
devoted his time lime mainly to the practice OF law.
with Mr.. j. A. Wisweli. That gentleman died
a few years ago, and a partnership Was form
ed with W. =. Young, the present city at
the Judges son. Judge Brown was city at
torney for two terms. He also served in the
lower house of the legislature in 1888, repre-
senting this city. In both positions he left a
good record He also held the position of re.
sident director of the Normal school for four
or five years, holding that office while the
building was being erected and paying out all
the money expended in Its construction. 1t
was he that chose the fine site for the building
He was also member of the city school board
that time. He took a prominent interes' In
church mtaters and '-ss an excellent Lible
student. He conducted Y. NJ. G. A. bible class
very successful Sunday school classes, COM ,
prising some OF our prominent citizen.
Five children survive the Judge: Mrs. M.
Henry W., and Robt H. Brown. His first wife |
lied two years ago, and he married a second |
lime, both unions being very happy. Two !
brothers, David and Thomas Brown, OF Forest
Hill Ind, also survive him.
Judge Brown will be long remembered and [
held in esteem for his many kindly qualities.
During his long residence in the city he gath .
,red about him many friends and his acquaint- :
ince is large one. be was good lawyer
md during his health enjoyed large and 1
lucrative practice. His tastes were refined :
md his home on Jackson street is one of the
,leasantest in the city. Always gentlemanly
md affable. he won the respect Of strangers {
Ind the regard OF acqualntances. Throughout I
lis active career his integrity has been I'M ,
Questioned and not an occurrence has happen
ID to cast q shadow upon his character or re- {
,utation. The family has the sincerest SYM {
,athy of the entire community in their great =
orrow.
The funeral was not held until D. m, !
Wednesday, as relatives, including Mr.. A. p. I
dan, of Florida and Chas. /. Brown, of St. {
Iouis, are expected to be present. The serv-I
ces will be held at the Presbyterian church, /.
rev. Jno. Barbour assisted by Rev. 4. G. Hud I
on, conducting them.