Santa Cruz County Biographies

JOHN B. BROWN

Submitted by Kathy Sedler

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


        This gentleman, who has a historic name, is a prominent and well-known 
citizen of the Pajaro Valley, where he has resided since 1858. He was born in 
Taswell County, Illinois, March 27, 1832. He obtained a district-school 
education, and in 1853 "whacked" an ox team across the plains. He and his party 
were one hundred and eighteen days on the road, and arrived in California 
without any adventure worthy of note.
        After five years of mining he came to the Pajaro Valley, and engaged in 
the lumber business with Messrs. Halstead and Sanborn. He took up a timber claim 
in Brown's Ca�on, a branch of Corralitos Creek. Later a consolidation of the 
lumber interests of two ca�ons was effected by the organization of a company 
composed of Charles Ford, L. Sanborn, Newman Sanborn, William Williamson, James 
L. Halstead, and Mr. Brown. Mr. Brown continued with this company until 1873, 
when the business was incorporated as the Watsonville Mill and Lumber Company, 
and J. L. Linscott was taken into the company. In 1868 Newman Sanborn died and 
Al Sanborn took his place. Mr. Williamson sold his interest in 1873. In 1882 
Halstead and Brown sold out to the company. Mr. Brown helped to organize the 
Loma Prieta Lumber Company.
        Mr. Brown has been twice married, the first time, January 2, 1871, to 
Clara Simmonds, who died September 16, 1880; the second time, in February, 1882, 
to Fannie B. Shell. He has four children: H. B., age nineteen; J. W., age 
sixteen; Clara, age eleven, and Fannie E., age eight. Two children died in 
infancy.
 
HISTORY OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.-  E. S. Harrison, 
Pacific Press Publ. Co., San Francisco, 1891