Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1898-03-08
.PIRIT 0F JEFFERSON.
TUESDAY MORNING. MARCH s. ls9s.
Death Of x.Mayor Gustav Brown

Ex-Mayor Gustav Brown, one OF the most
highly esteemed citizens of this city, died at
his residence here Thursday afternoon,
March Sd, 1898, at 2:32, after an illness COW
ering period of some months, though the
decease assumed not serious or threatening
phase until few weeks ago. Mr.. Brown
was born in Biedenkopt, Hesse Darmstadt
Germany. Sept. 1st, 1887, and hence was in
his 61st year. He came to America in 1888,
when youth of16, and by business tact and
pluck earned comfortable fortune. He
was man of sterling integrity and great
purity of character and life, and in the
thirty years of his citizenship in Charles
Town, was ever one of its most progressive
citizens and in hearty sympathy and CO.
operation withits development and prosperi-
ty. For six successive terms he was Mayor
of this city, and only resigned the office be-
cause of failing health. His administrations
were marked by singular honesty, and public
spiritedness and his official record was as
clean as his personal life and character. A
prominent and distinguished Mason, the
charity and benevolence of the order had in
him worthy example of the brotherhood of
man; emphasized in his righteous conviction
of the fatkerhood of God and that charity,
which breathed not word of reproach or
unkindness against any living soul was the
inspiration of heart controlled by the most
kindly impulses. He had been grand high
priest of the Grand Chapter, deputy grand
commander OF knights TempIar, grand mas
ter of the Grand Lodge and was at the time
of his death the high priest of the chapter
here. He was several times emineut com
1nander of Potomac Commandery No. s. and
high priest of Jefferson Chapter No. 3, and
worshipful master of Malta Lodge No. So
In his death his family mourns the loss of a
devoted husband and a thoughtful and in
dulgent father; the community one of its
most worthy and most highly esteemed citi-
zens and the Masonic fraternity !. most pro
ficient and beloved brother The whole
city feels personal bereavement, and a
whole community's sympathy goes out, in
swelling volume of tears and signs, eIo-
quent messengers of coincidence most
touching in its voicelessness. In token ofre-
spect the Independent Fire Company has its
flag at half mast. Mr.. Brown was thrice
marriedan is survived by his last wife
and four sons by former marriages
advocate.
Funeral services were held Sunday af-
ternoou, in the Presbyterian church, Rev.
Dr.. a. c. Hopkins delivering an able and
impressive discourse. The Masonic
lodges of this and surrounding towns at
tended in body, together with the
mayor, common council and town officers,
and Independent and Citizen fire compa-
MES. The attendance was immense, and
many were unable to obtain admittance
to the church. The floral offerings were
numerous and costly, and embraced
among them exquisite pieces from the
Mayor midtown Council, Potomac Com
inandery Knights Tenplar, Malta Lodge,
Mrs. Brown, Mr.. Browns sons, and
friends here and in Baltimore, Richmond
and other places. The pallbearers We're
Forrest ". Brown, c. NJ. Hough, Albert
Diehl, R. W. Morrow, B. d. Gibson,
John Porterield and c. Frank Gallaher.
At the grave the services were conducted
under the auspices of the Masonic Grand
Lodge of the State by Grand Master. S.
N. Myers, Of Martinsburg. Thus was
laid to restin shades of Edge Hill citi-
zen whom all delighted to honor, a beloved
husband, kind and affectionate father
and man whose memory will long re-
main green in the hearts of the people of
our town, county and State.