BROWN, Thomas
Portrait & Biographical Record Winnebago & Boone Cos., IL. Chicago: Biographical Pub. Co., 1892, pp 1223-1224

Thomas BROWN, deceased, was born in Campbleton, Scotland, 28 Feb 1807, and died on his farm in Caledonia Township, Boone County [IL], 04 Oct 1889, respected by all who knew him.   In his native land he remained until 25 years of age, when he crossed the Atlantic and joined his brothers and sisters who had previously come to this country, and located in near Cincinnati, OH.  He there made his home for 14 years, after which he came to IL, and purchased an unbroken tract of land in Caledonia Township, where he began the development of a farm.  He then returned to OH for his parents, who has also located in this country, and the family finally became residents of Boone County, where the father and mother of our subject spent their last days.  The former, however, died just three weeks after reaching his new home.  His wife survived him some years, and died at an advanced age in Boone County.  They were active members of the Presbyterian Church, and highly respected people.  They had quite a large family.

After coming to IL, Thomas BROWN met and married Miss Margaret RALSTON, their wedding being celebrated in Harlem Township, Winnebago County.  She was born in MA, 11 Sep 1834, and is a daughter of William and Ella (GREENLEE) RALSTON, natives of Scotland.   After the birth of four of their children, they emigrated to America in 1834, crossing the Atlantic in a sailing vessel.  After some time spent in MA, they removed to Hamilton County, OH, and in 1848 came to IL, where he purchased [p 1224] a tract of wild land in Harlem Township, making a fine farm, upon which he and his wife spent their remaining days.  His death occurred in 1870, at the age of 76 years, and Mrs. RALSTON died four years later, at the age of 67.  They led busy and useful lives, and when quite young, united with the Presbyterian Church.  They became prominent workers of the Willow Creek Presbyterian Church, which they helped to organize.  Their family numbered three sons and six daughters, of whom two sons and three daughters are yet living.

Mr. and Mrs. BROWN were quite prominent people of Boone County, and he was very successful in his business affairs, but aftereward lost a great many thousand dollars in a bank failure of Rockford.  This materially diminished his fortune, yet he left considerable property to his widow.  In politics he was a Democrat, and was honored with most of the township offices.  He was an earnest worker and faithful member of the Willow Creek Presbyterian Church, which he served as Elder, and Mrs. BROWN is a faithful member of the same congregation.  Since her husband's death, Mrs. BROWN has come to Rockford, and built a fine home at No. 603 North First Street, where she is now living quietly.  This worthy couple reared two adopted children:  Edward Blowers, who maried Mary BAMASQUA, and is now carrying on a cheese factory in Capron, Boone County [IL]; and Eliza Blowers, now the wife of Henry FARMERS, a machinist residing in Belvidere [Boone County], IL.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly.