Eli W. Brown

    Eli W. Brown is a native of Stark County, Ohio, where his birth occurred in September, 1836. His early educational advantages were limited, although after he had reached Columbia City, in 1852, he continued to prosecute his studies under the tutelage of Rev. A. J. Douglas, a man of fine ability and unquestionable purity of heart. At the age of seventeen, Mr. Brown began teaching school, in the meantime continued his self-imposed mental culture. In 1858 he had become so well known as to be elected, and twice re-elected, County Surveyor by the Democracy. In 1864, he resigned the position, and two years later purchased a half-interest in the Fort Wayne Daily Sentinel. After a few months, he sold his interest in the Sentinel, but during November of the same year, bought the Columbia City Post, which he edited and published until 1881.

     In 1870, he was elected County Clerk, and for the past eighteen years has been Chairman of the County Democratic Central Committee, and also for six years a member of the State Democratic Central Committee. There is scarcely another man in the county who has been more active in political work than Mr. Brown. Always a 'stalwart Democrat", he has, with signal fidelity, upheld the standard of his party, and persistently maintained Democratic principles. He has done a great deal for the county -to build up its institution -to disseminate truth -to advance public interests -and to encourage the progress of enlightenment and justice.

    In 1858, Mr. Brown was united in marriage with Miss Nancy, sister of Rev. A. J. Douglas, and has by her three children -Florence, Edith and Carlotta.

Source: Counties of Whitley and Noble, Indiana, Historical and Biographical. Weston A. Goodspeed, Charles Blanchard, 1882. Page 241.