The Brown family, of which Henry H. Brown
is a representative, is an old and prominent one in Clay county, Indiana,
for its members have been identified with the business and public life of
this district throughout a long period. Henry H. Brown is a native son
of the county, his birth having occurred on a farm in Dick Johnson
township, March 17, 1873. His parents, Frutney and Nancy E. (Oard)
Brown, are still living, now making their home in Brazil. The father
was born in Kentucky but in early life made his way to Clay county,
Indiana, and was married in Dick Johnson township to Miss Nancy E.
Oard, whose birth occurred in that township. He is engaged in farming
and also drills for coal. He is a public-spirited citizen, being deeply inter-
ested in every movement that tends toward the advancement and upbuild-
ing of his community. His political allegiance is given to the Democracy,
on which ticket he was elected to the office of county treasurer, in which
position he served for one term, or two years. He is a Mason, belonging
to Brazil Lodge, No. 264. His family numbered two children, but the
subject of this sketch is now the only surviving member.
    Henry H. Brown was reared on the home farm, early becoming
familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the farmer boy, while his
education was pursued in the district schools to the age of seventeen
years. At that time he engaged in teaching school, following the pro-
fession for two years, subsequent to which time, ambitious to acquire a
thorough business knowledge, he pursued a course in the business college
at Terre Haute. After leaving college hc was engaged for two or three
years in drilling for coal and also in drilling wells. It was about this
time that the father had been called to the office of county treasurer and
the son then served as his deputy, discharging his duties in prompt and
able manner. After retiring from that public office he once more resumed
his business interests in drilling for coal and drilling wells, a business
which he has continued to the present time. He is meeting with grati—
fying success in his undertakings—a success which is well merited, for it
has come as a result of his honorable, straightforward methods and excel-
lent business ability.
    Mr. Brown was married December 14, 1898. the lady of his choice
being Miss Sophia Melbilie, who, like her husband, is a native of Clay
county, her birth having occurred in Knightsville, August 9, 1875. Her
parents, James and Euphemia (Lawson) Melbille, were both natives of
Scotland, where they were reared and married, subsequent to which time
they crossed the Atlantic and took up their abode near Knightsville, Clay
county, where the father engaged in mining operations, acting as super-
intendent of a mine there, in his native country, however, he followed
the sea, and after his arrival in this country was engaged for a number
of years as a hoisting engineer. His political allegiance was given to the
Republican party, while fraternally he was identified with the Masons,
having become a member of that body in Scotland. His family numbered
three children, of whom Sophia is the second in order of birth, the others
being David and Agnes Melbille.
    The home of Mr. and Mrs. Brown has been blessed with three inter-
esting little daughters, Euphemia, Thelma and Agnes Ellen. Following
in the political footsteps of his father, Mr. Brown gives his support to
the men and measures of Democracy, while fraternally he is connected
with Brazil Lodge, No. 30, K. P., and Brazil Lodge, No. 215, I. 0. 0. F.
Having spent their entire lives in Clay county, both Mr. and Mrs. Brown
have a wide and favorable acquaintance and the hospitality of their
pleasant home is enjoyed by their many friends.