BROWN, John A.
Portrait & Biographical Record Winnebago & Boone Cos., IL. Chicago: Biographical Pub. Co., 1892, pp 588-589

During the 1850's there was an immense emigration to the U. S. by residents of Sweden.   Among those who sought out new homes for themselves in this country was John A. BROWN, who made his first appearance in Rockford [Winnebago County, IL] in May 1856.   He came here a poor man, and what he has accumulated in the way of this world's goods has been the fruits of his own exertions.

A native of Smoland [Smaland] Province, born 05 Oct 1829, Mr. BROWN became inured to hard labor at [p 589] an early age, and after reaching mature years, he determined to try his fortune in the States.  He took passage in Gottenburg, and after spending the first winter in NY State, subsequently went to CT, and thence to Rockford, IL, where his parents and a sister were then residing.  The father, Andrew Anderson BROWN, after spending a number of years in this country, longed for one more glimpse of his native soil, and returning, died there when 80 years of age.  His father bore the name of BROWN, which was the real family name, and our subject had it transferred to himself.  The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Sarah JOHNSON, quietly passed away in Rockford at the advanced age of 82.  Like very many of the Swedish people, they were members of the Lutheran Church.  Three of their daughters are living, and two, Mrs. SPHERF and Mrs. LILLEBLAD, are much esteemed citizens of Rockford.  The other daughter, Mrs. John JOHNSON, is a resident, it is thought, of WI or MN.

Before leaving his native country, Mr. BROWN selected as his companion in life Miss Emily LILLEBLAD, a lady of much culture and refinement, who was born in Jonkoping Lan, Smoland [Smaland] Province, Sweden, on 14 Aug 1830.  She was the only child born to her parents, and her father, John LILLEBLAD, died when she was very young.  The mother died a number of years later, while on her way to the United States.

Mr. BROWN's political affiliations are with the Republican party, and he takes an active interest in local and county politics.  He is public spirited and enterprising, and is prominently identified with all movements of a laudable nature.  He and his wife are very devoted Christian people, in the true sense of that word, and active working members of the Swedish Lutheran Church, of which both are old and prominent members.   Of the six children born to their union, only three are now living:  Ida M., wife of L. F. JOHNSON, a successful merchant at Crystal Falls [County], MI, is the mother of six children; Huldah C., widow of Albert LARSON, resides with her parents, and has one son, Harold H. C.; and Frank H., a watchmaker by trade, and a commercial traveler for the Star Furniture Factory of Rockford, makes that city his home, and resides with his parents.  The children deceased were named as follows:  Frank G., Henry, and George.  Mr. BROWN is now engaged in the machine shops of the Utter Manufacturing Company, and has a comfortable and commodious home at No. 1203 Third Avenue.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly.