The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-02-24
SAMUEL p. BROWN DEAD.
A Distinguished Citizen of Washington
Identified with All Its Public Improve
Washington Post. Feb. 20. }

| Washington Post Feb. 20.)
Samuel Peters Brown, founder of
Mount Pleasant, member of the former
Municipal Board of Public Works, and
the promoter and first president OF the
Metropolitan Street Railway, died last
night at his home, 1920 N street north
west. While coming from New York IN
1885 Mr.. Brown sustained an accident
which led to paralysis of the lower limbs,
and he has been comparatively helpless
from that time. His death yesterday
came as peaceful end to the SUFFERING
endured INCREASINGLY since the day OF thai
happening.
For quarter of century during the
most critical period of the history OF
Washington his name was identified with
nearly every important public movement.
He instigated the campaign for improved
sewerage and paved streets, afterward
carried to successful conclusion by Gov.
Alexander r. Shepherd, and he con-
tributed much to make that movement
SUCCESS. He. was largely instrumental In
the creation of the Board OF PUBLIC
Works, and he assisted actively in the es-
tablishment Of improved public schools
at the Capital.
DR.. Browns life began ut Blue Hill,
Me-, December g. 1916. His father was
Ian extensive lumberman, and in this CO.
cupation young Brown engaged, after
teaching school for a while and spendin
some months in surveying timberlands.
He operated largely in Maine at first, but
subsequently purchased tracts of timber
land near Pensacola, Fla, and along the
eastern shore Of Maryland. Many oil
these contracts had to do with govern
ties of yellow pine, and what were.knoWn
J as ships knees. He was engaged in ful-
, filling these obligations when the war
broke out.
But even his earlier life was not given
over altogether to private interests. lie
was member of the House of Represen-
tatives at Augusta for four terms, having
been elected in 1876, 1886, 1858, and 1859
For three years he was a member OF the
| Republican State Committee In 1860 Mr..
Brown wasa candidate for nomination to
Congress, but was defeated by Hon. H..
A. Pike. While serving as member OF
the State Legislature he formed intimate
, friendship with Blaine Hamlin, and Lot
H. Morrill,, that continued until their
deaths.
Vice President Hannibal Hamlin in
duced Mr.. Brown to come to Washington.
His frequent dealings with the Navy De-
partment. had made him familiar with
business methods here, and the vice
President desired him to accept the posi-
n ton of naval agent, a post since com lned
with that of paymaster of the navy. Mt
Brown consented and held the office dur
ing the .ensire period of the war, disburs.
ing in that:time' more than $50, O00, 00o OF
) government funds.
: Shortly after taking up his residence
this cityHMr. Brown began an agitation
for better sewers. His Office was then at
$50 E street, place directly opposite the
present site of the Ebbitt House. Meet
ings of prominent citizens were called TO
assemble there, petitions were prepared,
: and plans agreed upon for the practical
lfulfilment Of the improvements desired.
He was also much interested in having
, Tiber Creek bridged over, and, when the
. work was finally authorized, personally
superintended it. The paving OF u street
then occupied his attention. Blaine hac
by this time become an important factor
in political life, and his friendship fol
Mr.. Brown was!the secret OF the support
!, given those projects in Congress.
!, During the second year of the war Mr.
Brown purchased what was known as the
: Seldom farm, sub-divided considerable
+ portion Of the property and erected or
part of what remained handsome hous'
3 for his own use. The earlier residents
4 proposed to call the suburb Brownsville
=, In his honor, but he preferred THAT il
= should take its name after his residence
I It was accordingly christened Moua'
y Pleasant About this time, while still
:, naval agent, he was engaged in erecting
. several fine dwelling houses about thu
: CITY. The four residences now forming
), Cham berlin's Hotel were built under his
supervision, and were among the mos
fashionable residences in the city at tina
time.
i The bill creating the Board of Public
Works was drawn up in one OF these, th'
third, then occupied by the owner. INT
Q Browns neighbors on the north Wef'
4 Gov. Swami, of Maryland, and hon
: Fernando Wood, member Of the House
L and at one time chairman of the commit
Q tee on ways and means. A third house ii
), this row WAS tenanted by Gov. Bucklng
ham, of Connecticut, then Representing
= his state in the Senate Mr.. Brown
: residence later. became. the property OF AM
, was occupied by James G. Blaine. 1t l
q related that the Plumed Knight made.a
- offer for the house one evening at recep
~ ton, and the deal was closed the follow
: ing day. -,
y creation of a new governments for the Di
trict of columbia, took form largei
g through the agency Of Mr.. Brown !
10 conference of leading citizens was Gale
If at his house and the proposition discussed
The result was the act Of Congress G
1871. establishing q territorial form G
|: government here; and with the inaugura
/; tion Of Henry D. Cooke as the first Gov
ernor under this new form Of government tha mem
/, began Mr.. Browns service on .the boaI
/, of Public Works. He had prev1ousl
;; taken part in. the administration Of 1oca
). affairs, however. efrom 1860 to 1870, a
3, Judge of the Levy Court Of the country
s. having been appointed to this poslelon D.
i. President Lincoln.
s. Mrs. sBrown, who was a Miss Grindal
n of Blue Hill, Me, is a direct december
a of that Bishop Grindal who was Queel
!; Elizabeths spiritual adviser. She has DC
voted her whole time since MI. Brown,
Of accident to taking care of her husband
!. and has been constantly near him.
Mr.. Brown was the father of fourtee
~ children. By his first wife, who died i
IA 1858, there were four sons and tire