My Genealogy Hound

Francis D. Brown deserves much more than passing mention in the present volume, as one who has been intimately and worthily identified with the county's progress and advancement from an early period. He was born in Lauderdale County, Ala., March 27, 1837, a son of Frank and Cynthia (Butler) Brown, the former of whom died in 1852, and the latter when our subject was a child. The father was a successful farmer, and moved from Alabama to Illinois, thence to Clark County, Ark., in 1842, where both he and wife died. He was a Democrat politically. They were the parents of a large family of children, the subject of this sketch being among the younger, five of whom are still living. The subject of this sketch was reared in this county, remaining at home until his father's death, and then started out in life for himself, as a farmer. He continued to farm for some time, then entered the mercantile business in the employ of J. A. Smith, at Gurdon, with whom he was connected in business until Mr. Smith's death, and on the organization of the Smithton Lumber Company was elected vice-president of that concern. In 1859 he was elected justice of the peace, serving in that capacity until the outbreak of the war. When Smithton post-office was established, he was appointed postmaster, and served for about one year. When he started out in life he was without means, but by attending strictly to business, he soon gained a competency; the close of the war found him again without means, but by energy, industry and good management he is now the owner of a fine farm, well improved, bordering on the town of Gurdon, and is still stockholder in the Smithton Lumber Company. In 1861 he enlisted in Company E, Thirty third Arkansas (Confederate) Infantry, serving as lieutenant until the close of the war, and participating in the following battles: Prairie Grove, Jenkins' Ferry, Pleasant Hill, and in battles of lesser note. In 1853 he married Miss Lourena Neel, daughter of Robert and Mary B. Neel, born May 22, 1838, by whom he has five children living, viz.: Martha C. (wife of M. A. Culp, a farmer of this county), Fannie E. (married J. F. Harris, a farmer of this county, now deceased; she is living with her father), Louisa T. (married B. Culp, a farmer of this county), Thomas C. and John (are living at home). Three are dead, namely, Mary, Arminda E. and Melissa, Mrs. Brown is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Brown is a Mason, and is one of the prominent and substantial men of the county.