California Biographies, Kern County ANDREW BROWN History of Kern County, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present. Publisher: Los Angeles, Cal., Historic record company, 1914 History by Morgan, Wallace Melvin This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm ANDREW BROWN— A summary of the splendid life of the late An- drew Brown would be indeed lacking were the mention of his influence and close associations in Kern county omitted, for to him not less than to any other individual who has lived in that vicinity is due the advancement and improvement of commercial ci editions in the county. A self-made man in the l)est sense of the word, upon coming to Kern county he lent his aid toward its progress, his keen foresight, wonderful business acumen and strict honesty early winning for him respect and esteem from all with whom he had dealings. The son of Samuel Brown, a merchant and farmer in Fal- carragh County Donegal, Ireland, it was in that place that Andrew was born September 15, 1829. Fortune brought him when a youth to Philadel- phia, Pa., whence in 1852 he sailed around Cape Horn and landed in San Francisco. Like many of the early pioneers he rushed to the mines, but not finding the Eldorado dreamed of he began the mercantile business and conducted a store in Mariposa county. Later he became a farmer and stockman in Tulare county, but soon afterward made his way to Kernville to enter the employ of Judge Joseph W. Sumner, who later became his father-in-law, and had charge of operating the quartz mill of the latter. Purchasing the store in Kernville, which later assumed such large propor- tions, he successfully conducted it, and later seeing an opportunity opened to him whereby he could purchase the store and ranch at Weldon on the South Fork he became owner of them, continuing the mercantile business at Weldon in connection with his store in Kernville. At the same time he began farming operations on his Weldon ranch. As business increased he bought other farms on the South Fork and became engaged extensively in raising cattle, horses, sheep and hogs. Large quantities of wheat were raised on his land, and to achieve the best marketing results he built a flour mill at Weldon, where the wheat was ground into flour and prepared for the local trade. This saved the long haul over the mountains to the railroad. He next built a sawmill, where he manufactured lumber from his lands, much of his lumber being used in the building throughout that section. By additional purchases Mr. Brown became the owner of thousands of acres of land, among which were several thousands of acres of valuable farm lands on the South Fork, which have been brought under irrigation by ditches from the river. Grain and alfalfa are raised in abundance. He also acquired large holdings at Pampa, which are now being developed with a pumping plant fur irrigation, as the land lies in a thermal belt which bids fair to prove valuable citrus land. In 1901 Mr. Brown incorporated the North and South Fork interests as the A. Brown Company, of which he was president until his death, Octo- ber 12, 1909, since which time Mrs. Brown has filled that position in the company. He also had large real estate interests in Los Angeles which are still owned by Mrs. Brown and their children. In 1904, after many long, useful years of active participation in business, Mr. Brown retired and moved to Los Angeles, where he made his home until he passed away, leaving the imprint of his energetic and persevering career in the many im- provements he had accomplished in the county. Truly he was a benefactor to Kern county, and he was known throughout the county as one of its most prominent upbuilders, his unselfishness, dauntless courage and never- failing will power proving a splendid example for the young men of today to emulate. In fraternal affiliations he was a Master Mason, while his religious tendencies were with the Episcopalians. A Protectionist and a Republican, he was ever stanch in his allegiance to party principles. For many years Mr. Brown was a director in the bank of Bakersfield. The marriage of Mr. Brown to Miss Alice M. Sumner took place in Kernville June 18, 1873. She was born in Lubec, Me., the daughter of Judge Joseph W. Sumner, a native of Newburyport, Mass., and of old Colonial and Revolutionary stock. Judge Sumner was a merchant in Lubec, Me., for some time, in 1849, however, becoming excited over the gold discoveries and coming via Panama to San Francisco. He followed mining in different districts in California and even into British Columbia, and he was one of the early miners at Kernville, operating the Sumner mine and quartz mill until he bought his ranch on the North Fork. He spent his last days in Kernville, where he died in 1911, aged ninety-two years. Like so many of his comrades he had ever a deep interest in mining, which he retained to the last days of his existence. He served as justice of the peace for over thirty years and he was so well liked and esteemed in the community that there was not another person who held a higher place in their regard. His wife was Mary E. Dakin, a native of Digby, Nova Scotia. She passed away in Kernville two months after her husband's death, when she was eighty- five years -old. They were the parents of three children, of whom Mrs. Brown was the youngest. Her girlhood was spent in Maine and in the schools ff Saco she received her elementary education. later attending Saco Academy. Since her husband's death she has alternated her residence between Kernville and Los Angeles and continues to look after the large business interests which her husband left. She is a member of the Friday Morning Club as well as the Ebell Club, in Los Angeles, making her home at 949 South Hoover street, and she is a devout member of the Emanuel Presbyterian Church. Her two children are P. Sumner, in the real estate business in Los Angeles, and M. Elizabeth, who is the wife of Dr. Edward M. Pallette, of Los Angeles. Mrs. Brown is a woman much beloved, and numbers her friends bv her acquaintances. She is charitable and kind, but so unostentatious in her giving that none but those receiving the benefits are cognizant of it, and refinement, intelligence and strong will power are her marked characteristics.