George W. Brown

Regions: Schoharie Co., NY; Walworth Co., WI

From History of Walworth County Wisconsin by Albert Clayton Beckwith, Vol. II, publ. 1912, Page 1308-1310 GEORGE W. BROWN. The life of an honest, industrious and fair-minded man is always an example worthy of imitation by the younger generation for it cannot but contain many valuable lessons which, if studied rightly, will save others many a pitfall and many a heart-break as they go through this cold, indifferent, battle-arrayed world, where one must indeed be a fighter to win. Thus the career of George W. BROWN is most commendable. Mr. BROWN was born in Carlisle, Schoharie county, New York, November 24, 1824. He is the son of Charles and Nancy (VANDRESSER) BROWN, the father probably a native of Rhode Island, and was the son of George and Susan BROWN, who came from England. Nancy VANDRESSER was born in Cobalskill township, Schoharie county, New York, and was the daughter of John and Annie (FERGUSON) VANDRESSER, her ancestors having been Hollanders, Scotch, English and French. George W. BROWN's parents came to Michigan in 1836 and on to Walworth county, Wisconsin in 1841, and settled in Walworth township, in section 3, which land he entered from the government, and there the subject's parents spent the rest of their lives. The father had been a blacksmith in New York, but later in life he followed farming. His father consisted of seven children: George W., of this sketch; Henry lived all his life in Walworth township engaged in farming, married and reared his family here; Rial BROWN died when thirteen years old; Charles K. lived in Chippewa City, Wisconsin, until his death in 1908, at the age of seventy-seven years; Joseph I., who is now about sixty-eight years old, lives in Colorado; Lucy married Reuben WESSEL and first lived in Elkhorn, then Walworth, later in Sharon, where her death occurred; Helen Marr, the youngest of the children, married Lewis GETTY, now deceased, and she lives in British Columbia, being now seventy-six years old. George W. BROWN grew up in section 3, Walworth township, and assisted with the general work on the home farm. He married Cornelia A. CONANT, daughter of Caleb H. and Deborah (CLUTE) CONANT. She was born at or near Syracuse, New York, and came here with her parents about 1840, locating in Walworth township. George W. BROWN got an excellent helpmate in his marriage and his later success in life was due in no small measure to her counsel and sympathy. He bought a farm adjoining his father's and made his home there, on the west half of section 3, Walworth township, and he lived in the same section practically all his life up to about 1905, and he followed farming from the time he was old enough to drive an ox. He was very successful as a general farmer. To George W. BROWN and wife the following children were born: Adelaide died in infancy; Francis E., born December 8, 1847, lives in Williams Bay, formerly followed farming; he married Lillian MINK; Ella M. BROWN, born March 17 1851, married Marshall MINK and they live at Darien; Lydia Ann, born January 21, 1854, married Stephen Carl GOFF and they live in Darien; Edwin BROWN lives in Williams Bay and is engaged in the plumbing business; he was born October 19, 1857, and he married Matie LACKEY, November 6, 1888; Jane BROWN was born May 3, 1860, and died August 5, 1868. The death of George W. BROWN's wife occurred on February 6, 1886. George W. BROWN remained on the farm until the fall of 1905 when he moved to Williams Bay, where he now resides with his son Edwin, being now eighty-seven years old. He has a remarkable memory of early days and recalls many interesting incidents of pioneer times. He still takes quite an interest in historical lore and public questions. Submitted by Carol