My Genealogy Hound

HON. HARRY G. BROWN, mayor of Carlisle, was born in that city Sept. 14, 1859, a son of Samuel R. and Elizabeth (Keck) Brown.

William Brown, grandfather of Harry G., spent his early life in Lancaster county, living for a time at Lititz, and about 1840 or 1842 came to Cumberland county, settling at Shepherdstown, in the lower part of the county. For a short time he conducted a hotel, and prior to 1845 came to Carlisle and continued in the same business, locating on the present site of the “Wellington Hotel,” and erecting a hotel. His death occurred in the town where he was so familiar a figure.

Samuel R. Brown, the father of Harry G., was born in Lancaster county, and was about eighteen when the family came to Carlisle, and the remainder of his life was spent here. Having learned the trade of a cooper he pursued it until he took charge of Lewis’s lime kilns, which he operated for a few years, but later he opened a restaurant on East High street, where Bixler & Sons hardware store is now located. This he conducted successfully for several years and then moved his establishment further east on East High street, continuing in the same line for fifteen or eighteen years. This establishment was always a high-class one, and his patronage very large. Ten children were born to himself and wife, all of whom died in childhood but three: Samuel K., a resident of Columbus, Ohio, and operator of planing-mills; Harry G.; and Florence, wife of Jacob Mushier, of Carlisle. The father died March 13, 1893, aged seventy-four years, while the mother died May 22, 1894, aged sixty-eight.

Harry G. Brown was educated in the public schools of Carlisle and in 1878 began to learn the trade of a carpenter. His work was upon the Carlisle market house, the building in which his present office is now located. He learned his trade with Capt. J. P. Brindle, and after serving his apprenticeship went into the planing-mills and worked until he was thirty-one years of age, or in 1890, at which time he was appointed letter carrier and served four years, resigning to go into business as a contractor and builder with H. G. Rinehart, under the firm name of Brown & Rinehart; this partnership lasted over seven years. Mr. Brown then embarked in business for himself and has erected some of the leading residences in the city and vicinity; he does all kinds of building. Without any doubt he stands at the head of his calling in Carlisle, and he also does slate roofing, a distinctive branch of his occupation.

In public affairs, Mr. Brown has always been very active as a stanch Republican and has served a number of times as delegate to county and State conventions, wielding a strong influence in his party. He has served most efficiently as borough auditor of Carlisle, and March 16, 1901, was appointed to fill an unexpired term as burgess of Carlisle, in the spring of 1903 being elected on the Republican ticket to succeed himself in the same office, by a majority of 480 votes in a borough which is recognized as Democratic. He is a member of the Goodwill Fire Co., in which he has also been trustee for the past twenty years; he has also held many other offices of trust and responsibility in the county. Fraternally, he has been a member of the I. O. O. F. for twenty-two years, belonging to Carlisle Lodge, No. 91, and has for twelve years been secretary of same; is a member of the Encampment, No. 183, of which he has been treasurer for the past fifteen years; was one of the organizers of the K. of G. E., of which society he has served as first treasurer, filling that office for nine years (he has represented the lodge for fifteen years); and is also a member of the A. F. & A. M., St. John Lodge. No. 260, St. John Chapter, No. 171, and St. John Commandery, No. 8. His home is most pleasant, located at No. 115 East High street.