The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-11-29
Mr.. MILLS BROWN DEAD
ONE OF RALElGH'S OLDEST AND MOST
RESPECTED ClTIZtNS.
He Lived More than Half a Century in Raleigh
and was Busy Factor in its Com
mercial Life.

At T:30 o'clock yesterday morning
Mr.. Mills II. Brown passed quietly away
at his home in this city, aged T6 years.
The sudden death of this venerable and
highl yesteemed citizen, while not wholly
unexpected. was shock to his family
and his numerous friends He had not
been physically strong for several years
and had ON several occasions suffered
intensely from the effects of wounds re-
ceived from prisoners attempting to es-
cape jail wniie ne was deputy sheriff of
Wake county. For several days, how
ever, he had been brighter and more
cheerful and seemingly in better health
than formerly. He walked up the
street on Friday last, sat up nearly all
day Sunday and conversed with his
family and friends He rested remark
ably well Sunday night and slept sound
~. but before arising yesterday morning
complained of being very tired Getting
on the side of the bed, his wife standing
by him, he suddenly remarked to her
that he was dying. She tenderly layed
his head back on the pillow, aroused the
household. sent for physician and
other members of the family, but before
the physician arrived he had passed
away. His death was so sudden so quiet
and so peaceable that for several min
utes his devoted wife and other loved
ones could scarcely realize it.
Mr.. Brown was native of Wake
county and was the last survivor of SIX
brothers. all of whom grew to manhood
and were prominent and valuable clti-
zeas of the communities in which they
resided. He had two sisters. only one
of whom. NIrs. Marshall, is living. He
came to Raleigh in 1872 and had therefore
spent fifty-six years of his life in this
city. During nearly all these years he
has been a busy factor in the mercan-
tile and other affairs of the city and the
county. He was n leading and success
full merchant for many years. lie was a
member of the board of county com
missioners for many years; was deputy
sheriff of the county and held other
responsible and important positions.
In business affairs and IN official position
he was strictly honest. dealt with his
felow-citizens and served them i'll pub.
lie position. with the ability and fidelity
of a thoroughly trained business man
and an upright Christian gentleman.
Mr.. Brown was thrice married, his
first wife was the sister of Captain Nj.
w. Page. of Morrisville. BY this
union he had four children, three of
whom, Mrs. NJ. a. Parker, Mr.. Sidney
Brown and Mills II. Brown, Jr., are
still living. His second wife was Mrs.
Tomlinson, the mother of Mrs. Mamie
Tomlinson Lee, wife of c. Il. Lee,
Esq. BY this marriage he had two
daughters. Mrs L. L. Fleming, of Raj
eigh, and Mrs. r. A. Cooper, of States
Vile. His last wife, who survives him,
was Miss Hattie Sweeney, a sister of
his second wife.
Mr.. Brown was one of the most anna
BILE of men. He was of kindly, cheerful
disposition. generous friend and
valuable citizen. At home he was
kind husband and loving and indulgent
father. To Mrs. Lee, his step-daughter,
he was especially kind and seemed to
feel towards her as though she was his
own child. He had no enemies. During
the half century and more that he had
lived among our people he had so con-
Quoted himself that everybody was his
friend, and with his Borrowing family
the entire community is in sincere SYM
pathy.
The funeral services will be conducted
from Edenton Street church, of which
Mr.. Brown was consistent member
thi safternoon at 3 o'clock. He will be
buried with the honors of the /. .. .. f.,
by his brethren of Manteo Lodge.