JAMES W. BROWN.-In an account of the events which form the history of Sullivan county the name of this family appears frequently on its pages. Samuel Brown, the paternal great-grandfather of James W., was a native of Scotland, but during his early life he came to the United States and in time became a resident of Ohio, where with the assistance of his son Samuel he opened a farm.


Samuel, the son, was also a native of Scotland, and coming with his father to America eventually became a resident of Washington county, Indiana, but after a residence there of about sixteen or eighteen years he came to Sullivan county and died here in 1859. He became very prominent in the public life of this community, and at one time represented Sullivan county in the legislature. His politics were Democratic until the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, when he joined the Republicans. Samuel Brown married Nancy Duff, of Irish descent, and they became the parents of five children: Stephen, John K., Mary, James and William, all now deceased.


John K. Brown was born in Washington county, Indiana, in 1819, and he was but a lad of eleven when he came with his parents to Sullivan county and was reared and educated here. He entered land here in 1854, and became the owner of an estate of three hundred acres, being a lifelong and successful farmer. After the Civil war he joined the Republican party, and both he and his wife were members of the old-school Presbyterian church. He married Mary McClary, who was born in Tennessee, and came with her parents to Terre Haute, Indiana. Her father, John McClary, was a native of Virginia. Seven children were born to John K. and Mary Brown, as follows: Margaret E., deceased; Samuel U., of Farmersburg; John C., of Jackson township; Mary J. Burton, whose home is in Farmersburg; Nancy E. Ford, also of that place; James W., the subject of this review; and William H., of Jackson township. Mr. Brown, the father, died in 1895, but his widow yet survives and is living with her son James. She was born on the 16th of April, 1829.


James W. Brown remained at home with his parents until his marriage, and his father then gave him one hundred and fifty-four acres, the nucleus of his present homestead, which lies four and a half miles east of Farmersburg and contains one hundred and sixty-six acres. Mr. Brown is both a grain and stock farmer, and in 1905 he erected a feed mill and threshing machine. He is also a director and the treasurer of the Delora Oil and Gas Company, and is a prominent factor in the business life of Sullivan county.


On the 30th of October, 1894, he was married to Mary M. Caton, who was born in Owen county, Indiana, February 29, 1876, a daughter of Hugh B. and Toliver (Candace) Caton, both of whom were also born in Owen county. They subsequently came to Sullivan county and located at Hymera, where Mr. Caton followed the blacksmith's trade. His wife died in 1904, and in 1907 he went to Texas, where he now follows farming and blacksmithing. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Brown: John B., born January 25, 1896; Roy S., March 2, 1897; Nellie M., April 16, 1899; and Daisy M., October 28, 1903. The three eldest children are attending school. Mr. Brown gives his political allegience to the Republican party. As a member of the well known Bartlett Quartet he toured Indiana and Illinois for four years and won fame and prominence in musical circles. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church.