John W. Brown

     John W. Brown was born in Montgomery County, Indiana, March 13, 1838, and is a son of Annaas and Dorcas (Gibson) Brown. The father of our subject being in limited circumstances, Mr. Brown's education was that derived from the district school, excepting, however, two years at a select school. At the age of eighteen, he became an apprentice to the carpentering trade.

    Previous to coming to this county, he was married. October 2, 1858 to Miss Martha Beck, a native of Indiana, daughter of Anthony and Elizabeth Beck, both natives of South Carolina. This union was blessed with six children -Viola D., Alonzo F. C., Laura V., Lula May, Nellie and Nova L., of whom Viola D. and Laura V. are deceased. After coming to West Lebanon, Mr. Brown followed carpentering for sixteen years, and was town officer for fourteen years.

    On May 4, 1878, he became Postmaster, succeeding Dr. A. C. Walker, He also then commenced the grocery business. Mr. Brown is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and he and wife are members of the M. E. Church. He is an uncompromising Republican, and gave his first vote for President Lincoln. He is also a member of La Fayette Commandery, No. 3, having been made such in 1883.

Source: Counties of Warren, Benton, Jasper and Newton, Indiana. Historical and Biographical. F.A. Battey & Co., 1883.