Oxford Democrat., 1921-11-29
Wat Paris.

collie and Indigestion followed Dy neart
failure. Mr.. Brown was the son Of John
and Huldsh (Gardner) Brown and was
born In Plymouth, Me-, Dec. IS, 1899.
OF the family Of seven children to whom
be belonged only one, Maria Z. Brown
Of Massachusetts,, survives. Mr.. Brown
Was united In marriage with Miss Mary
Parlin of Paris May %, 1858. Mrs.
Brown survives him. Three children
were born to them, two Of whom are
living, Edwin b. Brown OF Rumford and
Jennie NJ, wife Of VIII r. Durham Of
East Saugus, Mass., and one grandson,
Charles L. Brown of Rumford.
Mr.. Brown was one OF the pioneers Of
West Paris and II 10 pleasant to the old
residents to recall events OF many years
ago, and perhaps these "reminiscences
may DO interesting to others even
though they did not live In those carly
days at or near West Paris. Among the
founders of this village Mr.. Brown has
been 90 active and faithful az to deserve
more than passing notice. He was well
known and respected for his energetic
life and noble manhood, not only by peo-
pie living In this village but by many
dwelling In the county and others living
In the state.
In bis early boyhood days his privi-
leges for IN education were limited to
the winter schools, with the excep' lon
of two terms at South Paris under the
instruction of Prof. Kinds, at that time
principal of the school. He was On
earnest and devoted student. he stud
led surveying, and was q fine mathe
mstician. he was always great reader
Able with bis pen and fluent in speech,
he WAS always able to express publicly
bis opinions.
Radical in the cause of temperance
and moral reform of high ideals, he was
ut the front a. representative citizen.
Many times be was urged to accept o
nomination for senator or represent stive
in tho legislature, but az often declined
on account OF business engagements.
he served the town as selectman, and
was Justice Of the peace for many years.
He did considerable legal ,business and
has married many couples, and he had
often remarked that In not one instance
have the bonds been severed by divorce.
Mr.. Brown purchased farm at West
Paris years ago. he onoe owned all the
land on which the village Of West Paris
10 now situated. He laid out the village
and sold lots at low figure on condition
that houses soon should be built, and
thus laid the foundation Of our now
pretty and dourishing village. Mr..
Brown has seen West Paris grow from a
mill and one house and store to its pres.
ont splendid development and prosper.
ity.
In politics he was Roosevelt Rspub-
licsn, and was always in opposition
against wrong. At one time In the Andy
johnson administration, Mr.. Brown was
approached by two leading Democrats
and . johnson disciple with authority,
80 they claimed, to offer him q nomina.
tlon to congress to succeed the late Hon.
Sidney Perhsm. They assured him that
Q favorable reply would result in bis
nomination and election. II he did not
yield to their solicitations they said be
must expect to lose bis position 40 one
of the collectors OF internal revenue, q
position which be was holding under the
government at that time. He scorned
their offer and defled their power, and
the country knows what followed.
In 1852 he was appointed collector ei
internal revenue In Oxford County and
held the position with honor. BIS rul.
iugs always we're sustained by the
department at Washington during the
six years 10 which he held the position,
at the close of which he resigned to en-
gage In business.
Mr.. Brown always put force and energy
into all business In which he was en-.
gagged, and was very successful, although
unfortunate by way Of FIRE and other
losses. His influence in the cause OF
temperance and moral reforms, for
which he always stood, was far reaching.
his memorial address and eulogy on the
boys who wore the blue will ever be
remembered.
In religious preference he was q Uni.
versslist, and old residents remembe
when Mr.. and Mrs. Brown sang In the
church choir. His father was superin.
tendent of the Sunday School. A few
years later his son and daughter, follow.
Ing In the footsteps Of their forefathers,
were also superintendents OF the Sunday
School and deeply interested in the
work.
he was an early member of West Par.
10 Lodge OF Odd Fellows.
Services were held Ut 10 O'Clock
Thanksgiving Day in the Universalist
church conducted by the pastor, Mr..
Markley, and by the lodge Of Odd Eel.
lows Of which Mr.. Brown was q charter
member. A mixed qusrtette sang, one
of the numbers being an old favorits Of
Mr.. Brown and his wife. In his brief
word Mr.. Marklsy spoke Of Mr.. Brown
a. . representative of the noble men and
women who lived here In other days,
and by their toll, their friendliuess and
their worship laid the foundations for
our achievement and happiness to-day.
The proper tribute is not words of praise
but lives OF like virtue. Hannibal Brown
was refused . chance to serve in the
army Of the Union because of au Injured
foot. He was worker, busy to the end,
with care Of hts garden and his wood
pile, and OF the wife of bis youth. In
these days Of easy and frequent divorce
II 10 good to remember the marriages
that are permanent. This man took joy.
fully and seriously the pledge to "love,
honor and care for" bis wife, and in
these last months took the heavy task OF
caring for her through the night. He
waa too much of man for 1t to be said
OF him that be bad no enemies. sand
establish the work Of our hands upon us,
yes, the work Of our hands establish
thou It."