My Genealogy Hound

ORRIN BROWN, a successful and extensive horticulturist of Sodus Township, Berrien County, Mich., is a man of fine executive ability and business enterprise and has during his entire lifetime been associated with the growth and history of the State. Mr. Brown was born in Wayne County, Mich., in September, 1836. His father, Orrin Brown, Sr., was a native of New York State, where he was united in marriage with Miss Rhoda Weaver and with her soon after emigrated to the then wilds of Michigan. The young couple, making their home in the West in that early day, faced many privations, but with cheerful industry won their upward way, and had apparently a bright future before them when, prior to the birth of our subject, his father died. Orrin was only six months old when the bereaved widow with her three little sons and father removed, in 1837, to Will County, Ill. About six months after the family had located in their new home the young mother sickened and died, leaving her orphaned children to the care of relatives. Norman E. Brown, the eldest of the brothers, is now surviving and resides in St. Joseph, Mich.

Orrin, reared in Will County, Ill., attended the public schools and received a good common education. As soon as he was old enough he worked at the carpenter’s trade with his brothers until 1863, when he came to Sodus Township and settled in his present locality. He at once engaged in the lumber trade and milling business, and remained in this line of occupation for five years. He then bought land and went into the culture of fruit and, being prospered, has since continued in the same branch of agriculture. Mr. Brown has forty-five acres in cultivation, four acres in strawberries and raspberries, and he also raises enough grain for home consumption. Answering to the final call of the Government during the Civil War, our subject for a time forsook his peaceful occupation and enlisted in the service of his country, entering Company E, Fourteenth Michigan Infantry, in 1864, and remaining in constant military duty until the close of the war. Mr. Brown took part in the famous march of Sherman to the sea and was mustered out at New York City, in June 1865.

In 1858, Orrin Brown and Frances Hamilton were united in marriage. Mrs. Brown was the daughter of Adam and Maggie Hamilton, old-time residents of Kankakee County, Ill. Unto our subject and his estimable wife have been born the following children: Elroy O., the eldest-born, married Miss Lottie E. Dick and is making his home in Cass County, Mich. Rhoda E. is the wife of Perry G. Pugh, and resides in Bainbridge Township, Mich. Mr. Brown was a second time united in marriage, wedding Miss F. Maria Butler, a lady of worth and intelligence. Mr. Brown is a prominent member and officer of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a Class-leader and Trustee and has been Steward. With his wife he is active in the good work of that religious organization and liberally assists in the promotion and extension of its influence. Fraternally, our subject is a member of George H. Thomas Post No. 14, G. A. R., and much enjoys the reunions of the order. Politically, he is a stalwart Republican and has always voted that ticket. A true and loyal citizen and an excellent friend and neighbor, he commands the esteem and high regard of a wide circle of acquaintances. He has won his way unaided in life and may with pleasure reflect upon an industrious and useful career, guided by principle. Left an orphan in infancy, he attained to a self-respecting and self-reliant manhood and is in the highest sense of the word a representative American citizen.