Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1919-11-19

CHARLES G. BROWN
After all, what is the acid test of
a life? When the hand of death
writes fms across the record, where
can we find the Judgment more accu-
rately expressed than in the number
of hearts that mourn! And taking
this as the measure of life's worth,
we know, indeed, that no common
soul passed on when, at two o'clock
Sunday morning, the spirit of Charlie
Brown slipped over the great divide
into that country from whose borne
no traveller returns" His was a char
acter so sturdy, a humor so quaint, a
friendship so all-embracing that no
man of this locality could claim so
much of sincere affection from every
age and station of life. He was be-
loved of little children and the aged.
The weight of seventy-eight winters
upon his white head could not make
old the kindly heart nor dull the fash
ing wit that gathered adoring friends
to his side like a magic tombstone.
And now he is gone, and this COM
munity bows as one in a grief sim
cere and pathetic.
Charles c. Brown was born in Oak
field. Perry county, Ohio, February
"a, 1871, one of a family of eleven
children, all of whom have preceded
him in death. His father, James
Brown came to Viroqua in 1856, Char
les following a year later For time
they resided on farm in Greenwood.
On January z, 1S63,he became a mem
Der of LaBelle lodge, and for 81 years
has been a Masonic brother in the
VirOoua fraternity
The turbulent days of the Civil
war found him ready to answer to the
call, and he enlisted in Company b,
50th Wis. Infantry, serving as first
sergeant, under Captain G. +. Rogers
and Lieutenants Newell and Allen.
Returning TO Viroqua after the close
of the great conflict in 1867, he en-
barked in the furniture business. His
first shop was the small wing Of the
beehive, which was torn down last
year. Later, a frame building was
erected on the present site. This was
swept away in that disastrous Christ
mas day fire of 1892, when the big
Lindemann department store went
down in ashes. Nothing daunted, he
planned the erection of a more sub
stantial structure, and Jointly with
block, which now stands as a monu-
ment to his memory. For many years,
Mr.. Brown continued in the furniture
and undertaking profession, tenderly
preparing and laying away for their
last rest the old pioneers of the local
ity. He was most accomplished
musician, an especially fine perform
er on the cornet, leader of the local
band for many years, and it was a
most natural sequence that the bust
ness should evolve into an exclusive
musical store. He was master crafts
man, and his home is filled with
articles of furniture made by himself
which reflect marvellous degree Of
excellencen. He most excelled in the
rebuilding of violins, and there is no
more exacting branch of the wood
workers art. Homes without number
throughout the county cherish articles
of furniture handmade by him.
Mr.. Browns love for Gods great
out-of doors made of him an ardent
sportsman and it was in this connec-
ton that many of his frmest friend
ships we're formed, especially among
the younger hunters OF the city, who
now view in grateful memory the long,
long tramps afield in days gone by.
For several years, Charlie had grad
ually relinquished active control of
the business to bic Sung, devoting his
time to the nome and his numerous
small gar ien-farms about the city--a
sturdy, tireless worker, loving the
soil with the expert gardeners passion,
and caring for his horses, cows and
chickens with tender hands. And
when the autumn leaves turned to
crimson and gold, so surely turned
his heart to the country scenes he
loved so well, and it was hallowed
sight to see his old white head NOV
ing amid the dying splendor of the
Indian summer woods.
On October 4th, 1867, the subject Of
this tribute was united in marriage
to D0rah 6. Croft, who came to this
country from Viola, Illinois, with her
grandfather, Moses Decker, being the
first white child in VirOgua To this
union were born two sons, Otto G..
and Benjamin c., who, with the wild
ow, survive TO mourn the passing of
a talented and well-belOved husband
and father. Yiroqua's pioneer citizen
and business man.
During the past few weeks, Mr..
Brown has gradually failed physical
ly, and two weeks ago was stricken
with stroke Of apoplexy which even
his vigorous physique and tenacious
power Of viii could not shake off. The
tender care Of family and close friends
could not avert the end, which came
on Sunday morning.
The last rites for this our late and
longtime neighbor were held in the
Methodist church this Wednesday af-
ternoon, gathering there an unusual
assemblage of fearful women and
men to bid a last farewell and join
with the bereft relatives in their sor-
rowful laying away to eternal rest.
The stars and stripes in Old Glory,
.he pr0fusion Of banked beautiful for
al offerings typicalof the life and char
lcter of him to whom we say farewell.
The old soldier comrades and the Ma
sonic brethren were out in large num-
Ders. Rev. Emmanuel Harris con-
iucted the service at the church, as
listed BY Rev F. A. Stephens and the
Masonic honcrs were given at the /
Touching selections were
by the male quartet
The pail bearers were John Wake,
n = 4