David
Brown, a gentleman on the sunny side of forty, and one of the leading merchants
of Davis, is distinguished by energy of character, and integrity in his business
affairs, which qualities have secured him the patronage of a large portion of
the most reliable people of this thriving little city and its environs.
He carries a large and well-selected stock, and commands a trader which is steadily
increasing. Socially, he ranks with the refined and cultivated people of
Davis, and is an especial advocate of temperance and good order. Our
subject first drew breath in Logansville, Clinton Co., Pa., Nov. 23, 1854.
His father, Henry Brown, also a native of the Keystone State, was the son of John
Brown, whose ancestors settled in Pennsylvania several generations back.
John Brown at one time visited Wayne County, Ind., but later returned to his native
heath, which remained his home thereafter until his death, which occurred after
he had passed his eighty-first birthday. His wife was a Miss Dinges, who
was of German ancestry, but a native of Pennsylvania, and died in Clinton County
when eighty-six years old. Grandmother Brown was noted far and wide for
her strength of character and remarkable intelligence. She retained her
physical powers in a marked degree. Upon the day of her death she walked
one and one-half miles. It was in June, one of the hottest days of the season.
Becoming over-heated, she sank down lifeless before reaching her home. The
father of our subject, Henry Brown, married Miss Catherine Stamm, a resident of
Clinton County. She was of German parentage and continued with her husband
a resident of Hublesburg until her death, which occurred April 16, 1886, when
she was fifty-eight years of age. She was a consistent member of the German
Reformed Church, and a lady highly esteemed for her many estimable qualities.
The father of our subjected after his marriage, engaged in general merchandising
at Logansville for three years, when he moved to the above-named place, of which
he is still a resident. He is now sixty-five years of age, and employs himself
about his store, active and energetic as of old. David
Brown was the second born on his parents, whose family consisted of tow sons,
and two daughters: Sarah J. died in infancy; John married Miss IIerveta Morris,
and a is a resident of Clinton County, Pa., where he operates the Rockville Mills;
Mary E. continues with her father; David of our sketch, was three years of age
when his father removed to Hublersburg, Center County, where was reached to manhood,
and obtained a good education, studying for a time in Penn Hall, and completing
his education in the Iron City Commercial College at Pittsburgh. He commenced
teaching when twenty-one years old, which he followed for five years in his native
State. he then came to this county and took up his profession in the public
schools of Davis, in which he was Assistant one year, and the following two years
was Principal. He also taught in district schools for some time. The
marriage of David Brown and Miss Sevilla Wenzel was celebrated at the home of
the bride in Davis, Il., March 30, 1882. Mrs. Brown was born in Lycoming
County, Pa., Dec. 2, 1860, and came with her parents to Davis when a child four
years of age. Her parents Daniel and Margaret (Bond) Wenzel, were natives
of Lycoming County, Pa., and her father was a carpenter by trade. Mrs. Brown
like her husband, also followed teaching in her younger years. This union
resulted in the birth of one child, Lyell E., who is now past three years.
Mr. Brown and his wife are members in good standing of the Evangical Lutheran
Church. He is a straight Prohibitionist, with which each party he uniformly
votes. His attractive home indicates the fine taste of its inmates, and
is the resort of the cultivated people of Davis. |
