Mower County transcript., 1891-07-01

Hosmer A. Brown.
We give today sketch of another of
the founders of the village of Browns
dale after whom and his brother Andrew
that village was named. Hosmer A.
Brown was born in North Stonington,
Conn.,, Sept. 16. 1882. being the youngest
Son of Matthew and Lucy (Dennison)
Brown. His father was successful far.
mer on the old ancestral homestead. His
grandfather and great grandfather were
both eminent Baptist ministers, the for
mer Elder Simeon Brown preaching fo1
forty years to the church over which he
was ordained. His mother was a direct
descendant Of Capt. George Denison, a
man of emlnence and wealth in early
colonial days, an officer in CORVALLIS
army and very successful in expeditions
against the Indians He commanded the
one in 1876, in which the brave Nara
gansett chieftain Canonchet was taken
prisoner and shot. Mrs. Den1son was
Lady Anne Borodll
Mr.. Browns early life was devoted to
farming IN summer and to study in the
public schools in winter. At the age of
16 he left home, teaching one term of
school in Rhode Island. At its close he
spent three years in Westerly, R. I.
learning the carpenter trade and then
went into partnership with an architect
and went to New York city and was
engaged IN. finishing off several fine
residences there. In August, 1851, he
left New York for SanFrancisco by way
of Panama, ARRIVING there after trip of
Al days. About two years were spent IN
that city and about TWO years. in mining
on the north Yuba River. His mining
experiences were exciting and varied
and quite successful financially. He tells
of one time in winter camp when the little
mining cabin, containing five, was almost
buried by snow and they were reduced to
short rations. Communication with the
outside world was entirely cut off. The
company put themselves on one quarter
rations and, being young and hearty men,
they commenced to suffer terribly from
the pangs of hunger. After days of
hoping and watching there came large
pelican and alighted near the camp. Il
pelican's meat is about as good as crow
meat. Mr.. Brown was selected to bag
the game. Crawling through the snow
about 20 rods, protected by some willows,
he succeeded in killing the bird with the
first shot. The rest Of the boys, who
were watching with breathless interest,
were wild with delight and the bird was
dressed and cooked in less time than il
takes to write about it. Never did fooC
seem more delicious. After this the
larder was supplied with ducks anc
pigeons until relief and provisions came
After leaving the mines Mr. Brown
went to SanFrancisco and went into
company with Mr.. Bordell, contracting
and building, employing from 35 to 10(
men. They built the government bar
racks at the mouth Of the harbor there
under the supervision of General Wool
In the spring Of 1855 Mr.. Brown lef
| California, expecting to return in few
| weeks, but when about $50 miles up tn.
| coast from Panama the steamer, *'Th'
Golden Age" struck a reef of sunkel
rock anu sank. Mr.. Browns experience
in the mines was valuable to him here a.
he was engaged by the captain to help t
get the vessel afoat. This was done OF
the ninth day and the steamship com
pany gave him $500 for his services
He had the offer of a splendid position
in the Pacific Mail Steamship Compan,
| if he would return to SanFrancisco an,
has always since regretted that he di'
not accept it. After remaining there TO
| about month he crossed the isthmu
and returned to Connecticut. Here b
remained during the summer and in tn
fall started for Kansas but meeting
number returning from there. who CAV
very dlscouraging account of tha
country, he came instead to Minnesota
spending the winter in Spring Valley
In the spring of 1856 his brother, Andre1
D., Joined him and they together came t.
Mower county. They had but one hors
and took turns at walking. This wa
the only horse IN the Brownsville settle
ment for some time after. They locate
in the town of Red Rock en- the land nov
occupied by Brownsdale, giving in par
payment a land warrant which thci
father had received for services in tn
war of 1912. Other settlers commence
to come in the spring. The Brow