History of Langlade County, Wisconsin, 
from U. S. Gov't Survey to Present Time, with Biographical Sketches
Dessureau. Antigo, WI: Berner Brothers, 1922, p 285
Submitted by Cathy Kubly

John W. BROWN, president and manager of the Langlade County Abstract Company, with which he has been identified since coming to Antigo in 1905, was born on Long Island, New York, 01 January 1851, the son of John J. and Hester E. (TOWNSEND) BROWN.  In October 1857 with his parents, he moved to Wisconsin, locating at Kilbourn, Columbia County [now Wisconsin Dells], where his father later became postmaster and still later was there occupied as express and insurance agent.  In 1876 the father moved to Chicago [Cook County], Illinois, there continuing until death claimed him in 1891, the mother passing away the same year.

John W. BROWN was for the most part reared in Kilbourn, Wisconsin, and there he attended the public school and the Methodist Institute.  In 1861 he went to work for the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company, his work being that of billing clerk at Kilbourn.  From that position he stepped into the employ of the bank of Kilbourn and the law office conducted by Jonathan BOWMAN.  For seventeen years he was employed in that bank, advancing from clerk to bookkeeper, and in 1876 becoming Cashier, in which capacity he served until 1886, when he was elected Register of Deeds for Columbia County [Wisconsin].  He held that office for four years, and then moved to Berlin [Green Lake County], Wisconsin, to take a position as cashier of the Berlin National Bank, continuing there from 1891 to 1904.  In 1905 he came to Antigo [Langlade County], Wisconsin, to take charge of the business he is now conducting.

Mr. [John W.] BROWN was married in 1877 at Kilbourn [Columbia County], Wisconsin, to Miss Lucia PEDELUPE, daughter of the Rev. J. B. PEDELUPE, who was a native of Marseilles, France, and whose wife, Adeline CRETEIL, was born in Paris.  The father was a minister of the Episcopal church.  Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. BROWN [John W. and Lucia (PEDELUPE) BROWN]:  (1)  Adeline, the eldest, was the wife of the late Harry Hendall BASSETT, Professor of English at the University of Wisconsin, to which union four children were born; (2)  Robert P., now deceased, survived by his wife, Emildida Baensch BROWN, a daughter of Judge Emil BAENSCH of Manitowoc County [Wisconsin], and two children; and (3)  John Townsend BROWN, engaged in business in Antigo.

Mr. BROWN is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a Past Grand Master of Wisconsin, and Past Grand Representative of the State.  He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.  John W. BROWN was a member of the Board of Supervisors in Columbia County [Wisconsin] for five years, is a Republican in politics, and has appeared as a delegate to many state conventions.  He was chosen census supervisor for the Ninth Census District of Wisconsin in 1910.  Mr. BROWN is a member of the Wisconsin Historical Society.  The BROWN residence is at 911 Clermont Street, Antigo, Wisconsin.