The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1912-10-17
DEATH CLAIMS JACOB
BROWN, OLDEST LAWYER
Had Been Member Ct the AIIegany
County Bar Since 1849.

county bar, publicist and author, died
Friday night at 1915 O'Clock at his
home, 81 Polk street, Cumberland,
after an illness of some weeks. Mr..
Brown would have been 80 years of age
on April next Death was due to old
age Until few weeks ago Mr.. Brown
continued the practice of his profession,
that of the law, but it was seen that he
was failing fast. He recovered sufici-
emily from nervous attack several
months ago to permit his being on the
streets. but the apparent GONZALES
cence was Of short duration.
The following history of Mr.. Brown
is taken from his own writings under
date Of Sept. "a, 1886, published in book
form:
81 have for a considerable length of
time contemplated writing a sketch, or
brief history of my race and kindred,
to be bound in small volume, which
may be of some service and interest to
those who follow the writer. An under
taking like this is never willingly COM
menced, at least such are my feelings.
It is to be hoped it may be read with
more pleasure by the few for whom it
is intended, than the author experiences,
in what in the beginning appears to be
reluctant labor. Still am anxious for
those dear to me to know as much of
my family matters, as | can in this way
communicate to them.
81 will commence the lineage with
Samuel Brown, my father who was
born November 18th, ITO. His mother s
name was Martha; he had three sisters
Betsey', Martha and Polly and
Henry Martin. his stepbrother. We
have no other eXtant account of the
family than this, which appears in a
family record in his handwriting, dated
the 28th of November, 1919 His life,
from his tirth to leaving home, was
not much known, only what he told his
family, and this was pretty much lost
to me, as | was only five years old when
he died. About the year 1900, he and
his friend John Bateman, started from
their homes on horseback for a six
weeks trip to the Glades, as Somerset
county, Pa, was then called but it is
remarkable that neither of them ever
saw his home afterwards. They both
became involved in love matters and
married sisters-Amy and Polly Penrod
daughters of John Penrod, who resid-
ed about three miles south of the site Of
Somerset. The exact date of these
dual marriages cannot now be ascer-
tanned, but they We're early after first
acquaintance. Bateman and his family
went West not many years after. West
mean, Ohio in those days.
Il was the Youngest and last Of the
eleven children; was born on the old
Brown farm" on the 7th of April,
1924; was small and delicate in health
for the first six or seven years; slow in
growth, but finally attained at least an
average in stature, and in later years
something over. In full manhood was
of strong physique, indeed so were all
the six brothers who attained man S
estate. This feature was inherited
from our mother, or her lineage; our
father being fraIl sickly man, and
whenever weakness or infrmlty appears
in any of the family, no doubt it decends
from him.
Il was put to work as early as fitness
came on, but was not forced, rather
Spared, as | was youngest and delicate
a the beginning However did my
share of work willingly, and sometimes
through ambition more than Twas really
fit. To do certain kinds of labor, such
as axe work and working with edged
tools, | would rather do than be idle.
Was not fond of labor that involved the
use of horses. George generally did
that; such was his taste, though he for
sock it for the family trade. In my
latter working years did full hand S
work-between l4-17 years of age-at
moving, cradeling grain, &c. | did not
draw over 80 pounds; was too spirited
to do less labor than my associates,
though they were men. Only recently
inspected the decayed stumps of large
trees which | chopped and made into
rails, 46 years ago; so | was a rail-
splitter in my day, and made worm and
line fence with them, and am proud of
it. Still was not satisfied with farm
life and labor thereon. had taste
for and desire to be carpenter, like
my father, and intended when | arrived
at Is years of age to go with my
brothers, Henry and George, as an APP
prentices to that calling. This was
then the ambition of my life and hope;
nothing higher or better was known or
even dreamed of. But all my plans for
practical manual for life was suddenly
destroyed by an accident, not so serious
in It's character, but became so unneces-
sarily.
Early in September, 1910, attempt
D Il 80 a1,, 30 hn &c 81