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Below is a family biography included in the book, Portrait and Biographical Record of Johnson and Pettis County Missouri published by Chapman Publishing Company in 1895.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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WILLIAM H. BROWN, the owner of a valuable farm located on section 28, township 46, range 28, Johnson County, comes of a good old pioneer family in this section, his father, Isaiah J. Brown, having emigrated hither from Tennessee in the fall of 1848. He had made a visit to Missouri two years prior to his settlement, and, being pleased with the outlook, determined to make it his future home. As soon as he could dispose of his land in his native state, he started for this county with his family, the journey being made in a two-horse wagon, in which the household goods were packed.

Isaiah Brown first entered one hundred and eighty acres of land from the Government, and, as the years passed by and he prospered in his farming ventures, he purchased more real estate, until he was the owner of some three hundred and twenty acres. This he improved, erecting thereon good buildings, and here he lived until he entered the service of his country as a soldier in the Mexican War. When that conflict was over, he returned home and busied himself in looking after his property until 1862, when he enlisted in the Union army, becoming a member of Company A, Thirty-third Missouri Infantry. He was a very enthusiastic soldier, but after being on the field of battle for eleven months his services were cut short by illness. Being unfit for further duty, he was sent to the hospital at St. Louis, where he died July 12, 1863, when in the fortieth year of his age.

At the time the father of our subject came to Missouri the state was mostly in its primitive condition, its inhabitants were few and scattering, and the now beautiful farms, in Johnson County particularly, were dense timber-lands and vast prairies. Game was plentiful, and the redman had not entirely disappeared from the locality. As one of the early pioneers, the father was called upon to show his bravery in many ways, as was also his devoted wife. But they were strong, courageous and persevering, and to their labor and untiring energies are due the beautiful fields, cozy home and fine orchards which are found on the farm of our subject.

Isaiah and Susannah (Hornsby) Brown were married in 1848, the latter also being a native of Tennessee. Her father passed away when eighty-two years old, while her mother was about fifty years of age at the time of her decease. The parents of Mrs. Brown had born to them seven children. Richard is deceased; James resides at Athens, Tenn.; Susannah is the mother of our subject; Elizabeth A makes her home at Pin Hook Landing; Benjamin M. is a resident of Kingston, Tenn.; William Jackson makes his home in Knoxville, that state; and Phebe Emeline is the wife of Thomas J. Hornsby, and lives in California. The parental family of our subject included seven children. Sarah Emeline passed away in 1869; Rachel E. married Riley M. Rose; Mary M. is the wife of William M. Hamilton; James H. died in infancy; William H. is the subject of this sketch; and Benjamin J. and Susannah are deceased.

When ready to establish a home of his own, our subject was married to Miss Lillian Kintzley, who was born in Boonesboro, Boone County, Iowa, in 1862. She is a lady of refinement, and is well educated. They have become the parents of three children: Curtis A., Edna M. and Susannah L. The father of Mrs. Brown, James S. Kintzley, was born in Bowling Green, Clay County, Ind., November 9, 1837, and moved with his parents to Boone County, Iowa, in 1855. There he continued to reside until his death, October 7, 1882, in his forty-fourth year. In 1861 he married Sarah F. P. Soule, who was born in Albany, N. Y., July 29, 1844, and moved with her mother to Boone County, Iowa, in 1856. They were the parents of ten children, namely: Lillian, wife of our subject; William H., who resides in Kingfisher, Okla.; Luella May, who died in 1886; Caroline S., wife of John O. Shaw, of El Reno, Okla.; Joseph, James C. and Eugene S., who reside in Boone County, Iowa; Therlow W., who died in 1877; Luticia, who lives in Holden, Mo.; and an infant son who died July 12, 1880.

William H., of this sketch, makes his home on the old homestead, on which he has been engaged in general farming since the death of his honored father. He was born February 11, 1856, and has done much since reaching man’s estate to develop and improve his immediate vicinity. His father in early life was a Whig, but later became a Republican, with which party our subject is identified. Although not a politician, yet he takes an active interest in the success of this party, and is willing at all times to contribute of his means toward the support of all good measures in his neighborhood.

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This family biography is one of the numerous biographies included in the Johnson County, Missouri portion of the book,  Portrait and Biographical Record of Johnson and Pettis County Missouri published in 1895 by Chapman Publishing Co.  For the complete description, click here: Johnson County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Johnson County, Missouri family biographies here: Johnson County, Missouri Biographies

View a map of 1904 Johnson County, Missouri here: Johnson County, Missouri Map

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