John Herrin Brown
In Memory
of
OUR FATHER
JOHN H. BROWN
(Probably written by Charles Sells Brown)
John H. Brown, eldest son of John and
Sarah (Herrin) Brown, was born near Harrison, Hamilton county, Ohio, on March 13, 1829. He
attended the schools of the community and spent one year in college at College Hill, near Cincinnati, in this study
he acquired a thirst for knowledge, which he sought to satisfy by a long life of study and reading. He worked upon
the farm for his father after he was of age until he married Sarah J. Ellis on February
20, 1851. To this union six children were born, a precious daughter, Lucy, the wife of
Carey C. Cotton,
died in August, 1883. The other children are James L.,
Kate Linville, Fanny Walker, Charles S. and Mollie Brown, all of whom are living and sought
to make the last days of their father as comfortable as possible. While rearing this family, all of whom were born
in Ohio, he pursued the business of truck farming and thus made the money with which he bought the farm in Shelby
county, Indiana, and to which he moved in 1867. He now engaged in general farming and stock raising with success
until he retired because of mother's health. He was passionately fond of his business and was in the lead of his
employees work.
He was a man of deep convictions and believed any cause
he espoused to be right. He scorned to take any unfair advantage of his fellowman and suffered loss rather than
defile his conscience. His employees rise up and call him blessed for he paid more rather than less in money and
appreciation for the work done.
In politics he was a third party prohibitionist and
by vote, by his means and by his influence, aided that cause. He hoped for the abolition of the saloon and the
beverage liquor traffic.
In early life he was converted in a revival in the
Presbyterian church at Harrison and joined that church, he felt the call to preach and answered it in the diligent
service as a layman, never refusing any labor the church imposed. After coming to Indiana, he placed his church
letter with the M. E. church at Manilla and was at home in its fellowship. Afterward he was
affiliated with Pleasant
Hill and West Street, Shelbyville, because of convenience, but when he removed to Manilla he again became a member
there. He served in many of the offices of the church and was happy and diligent in all of them. He had given much
time and prayer to the study of the Bible, and his knowledge of Scripture was rare for a layman.
He was deeply
spiritual and allowed no pastor to go deeper than he could follow, he enjoyed spiritual things. In practice the
religion of Jesus meant righteousness. He was clean of life and of lip, his children never heard a profane
or vulgar word from his lips in all their youth, and no man ever heard him use a profane word. He was honest
in his purposes and in his dealings. In July 1904, almost as sudden as the lightning flash his companion for fifty-three
years was sticken by death. The shock was too great for his nervous system and his health began to decline.
His
mental faculties remained bright, he could plan but he no longer pushed the battle but became dependent upon others.
He wanted to live for his children's sake, but he was homesick for heaven and mother. He left a goodly heritage
in worldly property, but best he left a righteous character and a good name. His children and grand children are
by it instructed how to live . He stayed with us till January 5, 1912, when nearing
his 83rd year, then peacefully passed over to be with Jesus and the others in paradise.
Our memories hold him, his kindly face and word, his
solicitude for our good, his ever-ready help in our need, his visits to our homes, and though he is gone, he is
t home there with them he so loved and some day we will go to him.
Haply of much that perplexes now:
One of these days in the Lord's good season
light of His peace shall adorn the brow.
Blest, though out of tribulation,
Lifted to dwell in His sun bright smile,
Happy to share in the great salvation
Well may we tarry a little while"
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