My Genealogy Hound

W. J. Brown, farmer at Mount Vernon, Mo., is of English descent, and the son of W. M. Brown, who was born in Tennessee February 10, 1819. The father came to Lawrence County, Mo., in 1839, settled near Mount Vernon, and there worked at the saddler’s trade with George White. One year later, or in 1840, he married Miss Mary Frances Tolliver, daughter of John and Polly (Dick) Tolliver, of Tennessee, formerly from North Carolina on the border of Virginia, latter of whom was of German descent. Mr. and Mrs. Brown were married at the residence of William Orr, Salem, and to them were born these children: John, Alexander, Daniel, William J., Richard Jonathan (deceased) and George W. The father was an energetic, industrious man, and died of typhoid fever when but thirty-one years of age. He was a kind husband and father. The mother is still living, and is sixty-seven years of age. She is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. [For sketch of the parents of Mrs. Brown see sketch of J. A. Brown.] W. J. Brown, the subject of this sketch, was born on a farm in 1845, and has always lived on the old homestead. He was enrolled in the State Militia during the latter part of the late war. He received a limited education, and married Miss Martha Jennings, daughter of Robert and Sarah M. Jennings, who were among the early settlers. Six children were the result of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Brown: Emma A., Sarah F., Cora E., George A., Robert A. and William L. Mr. Brown took his wife to the old homestead, and there he has since resided. In political views Mr. Brown is a Democrat, and both himself and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. Brown takes an active interest in the good of the schools, and has been director and clerk for about six years, He is a man of excellent understanding, morality and industry, and is a descendant of a good stock of ancestors on both sides.