The record-union., 1892-12-22
JOHN 0. BROWN.
Death of Sacramento's Former Mayor
in San Francisco.
Sudden Close of Long and Honorable
Career-A Man Loved and Re-
spected by All.

spected by All.
The many friends in this city of ex-
Mayor John q. Brown were startled yes
terday on learning Of his unexpected
death, which occurred in san Francisco
at 10 o'clock on Tuesday night, caused by
paralysis Of the heart. Mr.. Brown was at
his home, 5I7 Mason street, when the
fatal blow came, attended by his son,
John q. Brown, Jr., Mrs. Brown being
in the East.
The sad news of her husbands death
was telegraphed her, and she Will return
ss speedily as possible. The remains viii
then be brought to this city for interment
in the family plat in the cemetery here
Mr.. Brown, wife and son removed from
this city to san Francisco about five years
ago, and have since made their home
there, the deceased having been elected
Manager of the State Board Of Trade,
which position be filed until a couple Of
years ago, when he accepted the place or
Inspector of Gas Meters for the city OF
San Francisco, which office he filled at
the time of his death.
Deceased had been a resident of Sacra-
mento continuously from 1850 up to 1855,
and during that time held many positions
Of honor and trust in this city. For many
years he was superintendent of the local
gas company, and subsequently was
elected Mayor of the city for two terms.
He was a stanch Democrat, but pos
sessed such sterling worth that he was
twice chosen to preside over the munich
pal affairs of Sacramento, although his
party was in the minority by about a
thousand votes. His course while Mayor
gained for him an euviable reputation at
home and aboad, and his defeat lor third
term was made possible only by the fact
that the Republicans had as their candi-
date so popular, competent and honest a
man as Eugene J. Gregory.
Mr.. Brown was several times spoken
Of in connection with the Democratic
nomination for Governor, and there is
little doubt but that he could have Sc
cured that honor had he or his friends
made the least exertion in that direction.
He was not, however, much Of q poIIti-
clan, and never engaged in party in
trigues, although always an outspOken
ana ardent uphOlder Of Democratic prin-
ciples.
1t was Mr.. Browns intention to reslme
his residence in Sacramento at the expi-
ration OF his term OF once as Gas In
spector. lie had considerable property
interests here, including the Windsor
Hotel, at Eighth and j streets, and a line
residence ON ii street. He was one OF
the Trustees OF the Leland Stanford il.
University, being among the first per
sons named by Senator Stanford in that
connection.
BUSY LIFE.
The following detailed sketch of thelife
of deceased appeared in q special edition
of the Resources Of CuIlfOT7lid, in con-
nection with those Of the other Trustees
OF The Leland Stanford Jr. University:
John q. Brown was born in Brccken-
ridge County, Kentucky, on the 18th day
of june, lS-9. His father was "A farmer.
and at an early age he was initiated into
the mysteries of agriculture. lie received
his early education at Mount Marine
Seminary, q well-knOwn seat OF learning
being branch of Beardstown College
In lS44 the family removed to Lafayette
County, Missouri, and here the young
man continued his agricultural labors for
about three years.
The Flooding life of a farmer. how
ever, was too monotonous to comport
with his ambitious views, and in lS47,
having determined unOn mercantile Dur-
suits as his future vocation, he Went to
Lexington, Missouri, and obtained 20
sitiOn as clerk in a store. Here he re-
manned until the news OF the discovery OF
gold in California awakened within him
a desire to seek, on the shores OF the Pa
citc, a new tleld OF labor, and cast mis- lot
with the ambitious adventures who, in
cited by dreams Of golden treasure. were
destined 10 be the founders Of a new and
mighty State.
Early in 1850 he made the long. tedi-
Gus and wearisome journey across the
plains, arriving in 'HangtoWn' NOW
Placervillel, on the 9th day of July. Of
that year. He commenced mining on
what was then known as Georgia slide
in FL Dorado County, and continued the
search for gold with varying success I'M
til October, 1850, when he decided to aban-
don mining as a vocation and seek his
fortune III other business channels; and
accordingly repaired to Sacramento and
established himself in business in this
city.
''In May, 1852, he was appointed Dep
nty County Recorder of Sacramento
County, and in the fall Of that year was
nominated by The Wing party for the DO
sitlon of Public Administrator and
elected. and about the same time was an
pointed by the Governor a Notary Pub
lie. In the fall of 1893 he was nominated
for the position of County Recorder on
the Wing ticket, but political conditions
being adverse, was defeated. lie then
accepted an appointment as Deputy
Sheriff, which he retained until 1875,
when, from the KNOWN Othing uartv he
received the nomination for County Re
cOrder and was elected.
IN 1900 MI. Brown was nominated by
the Democratic party for the position Of
County Treasurer, but failed to secure
the election, and in 1867 took charge OF
the Sacramento Gas Company as Super
intendent and Manager, and was con-
nected and identified with the gas inter-
ests OF Sacramento up to his departure
nom this city few years ago
In 1872 he was nominated by the
Democratic party for the Office of Mayor.
but was not elected, and in 1879 he was
again nominated and again defeated. Mr..
Brown, however, was not one TO be dis
couraged by reverses; he aspired to be
Mayor of Sacramento, and in 1881 his
ambition was gratifed; the Democratic
party again nominated him and he was
Endorsed by committee OF business
men Of the city, who We're associated
politically under the title Of the indie
pendent Peoples Party The indorse-
ment secured his election, and in 1854 he
was reelected for a term of three wears
In April of that year he was appointed
one OF the Directors of the State Asylum
for the Insane, at Napa'
1t Is expected that Mr.. Browns remains