Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1915-07-08
ELI BROWN
PASSES AWAY
Big Crowd Attends Funeral
of Well Known Postoffice
Employee Sunday
IN Ill HEALTH FOR OVER YEAR
Well Known And Beloved Mail Car
ier Lived Most Useful Life, Was A
Devoted Husband And Father

Following an illness OF nearly year
and several years of i'll health, Elihu
L. Brown, one of the most popular and
we'll liked men in the mail service, died
at his home two miles north of the
The end came unexpectedly, for until
the last few days previous to his death
Mr.. Brown seemed to be improving in
health and at one time three weeks
ago was able to drive his mail wagon
The cause of his death was Bright's
disease, aggravated by heart trouble
Mr.. Brown came to Alma twelve
years ago as an employee in the post
office department. Until four years
ago he worked in the Office but at that
time he was forced to give up his po-
sition because of the confining work
and was transferred to the rural
branch. He was always one of the
best liked men in the office where the
kind word, CHEEKY smile and an inf
mite amount of tact are such impor-
tant factors in the best work of the
department. Here he was in his ele-
ment. Popular in the city mail work
he was even more popular in the rur-
al service. He was beloved univers-
ally by the patrons on Route a and
his passing away caused wave OF
genuine sorrow which testified to the
high regard and respect in which he
was held and to the strong hold which
he had always maintained in the affec-
tions of his patrons.
Elihu L. Brown was born at Dobbs
Ferry, New York, March 16, 1855.
When he was one year old his mother
died. He moved with his father 10
Leslie, Michigan. His father was sup
erintendent of the schools in that city
for two years, going from there to St
Johns. At Williamson where his ia
ther moved some years later he at
tended the public schools. Following
this he taught schools for twenty
years. While there he was united in
marriage to Jane Ball. From this
union two sors were born, Wayne and
Erie. Six years after this marriage,
his wife died.
December oath, 1893 Mr.. Brown
was married to Mary Hale of Lake
City and to this union were born a
son Ivan and daughter Beulah.
Twelve years ago he accepted a po-
sition in the local postofice as a civil
service man. Though the direct cause
Of his death was Bright's disease, ov-
erwork had much to do with it, as at
no time during his years of work for
the department did he take real va
cation.
He was most devoted to his family
and subordinated every personal pleas
ure and thought to theirs. Undoubt-
edly more consideration of his own
needs would have done much to main
tain his health and offset the ravages
of the disease. His religion meant
nothing more than that the love Of
men is the love of God and service and
sacrifice rendered to his fellow men
the best expression of the soul.
The funeral was held at the Baptist
church, Sunday afternoon at three o.
clock though a very brief service was
held at the home out on Wright ave-
nue.. The church was well filled and
the coffin heaped with flowers of every
kind. The sermon was preached BY
Rev. j. w. Priest who had delivered
the prayer at the short home service.
Rev. Frank j. Jackson delivered a
most impressive prayer, appropriately
worded and beautifully expressed. The
clerks of the local postoffice to whom
he had been such a loyal friend, were
the pail bearers. The Baptist choir
furnished the choral music while the
Philaltha society and ladies aid society
furnished many flowers. John Chick
sang a beautiful solo.
Mr.. Brown leaves a wife, three sons
Wayne and Ivan of Alma and Erie of
Lansing, daughter Mrs. Edward Bal
ance of Lansing, four brothers, Char
les F. of Alma, George r. of Otsego,
Fred of Prairieville, Edwin of Mari
copa, California, and one sister Lou
Belle of Otsego and innumerable
friends to mourn their loss.
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