Obit: Brown, Benjamin J. (1893 - 1940)

Contact:  Crystal Wendt
Email: crystal@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Brown, Devos, White, Smith, Tufts, Haugen, Kintzele, Musil, Epding, Griffiths

----Sources: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) Thurs., 4 Jan. 1940

Brown, Benjamin J. (11 Oct. 1893 - 1940)

Funeral services for Benjamin J. Brown, 46, former Neillsville postmaster and commanding officer of the local Service Company since 1926, will be held from the Masonic Temple at 2 p.m. today.

The Masonic service will be spoken by A. L. Devos, Lt. Eyvgen, chaplain of the 128th Infantry, Wisconsin national guard, and the Rev. White of Portage, both long friends of Captain Brown, will assist.

Pallbearers will be Herbert Smith, William B. Tufts, Arthur J. Haugen, Harland Kintzele, James Musil and Arthur Epding. Burial will be in the Neillsville Cemetery.

Captain Brown’s death came suddenly at 6 p.m. Monday at the home of his mother, Mrs. Peter Brown, in Neillsville, Wis. A second heart attack apparently was the cause, his physician said.

Captain Brown was believed recovering at his mother’s home from a serious heart attack suffered about three weeks ago. Although he had contracted pneumonia while ill, he had recovered from this complication, the physician said.

During the afternoon Captain Brown had felt particularly well, and spent considerable time listening to the many New Year "bowl" football games.

A native of Clark County, Captain Brown was born Oct. 11, 1893, to Peter and Lucy Brown on a farm in the town of Grant. The family moved to Neillsville in 1907.

Following his graduation from the Neillsville High Scholl in 1912, Mr. Brown attended university in La Crosse for a year, and then gained employed with a La Crosse furniture manufacturer.

In 1914 he returned to Neillsville and was employed by the Oatman Condensed Milk Co., predecessors of the American Stores Dairy Co. He remained with the Oatman Co., with the exception of slightly more than a year during the World War, until 1927. For several years he was foreman of the plant.

On April 13, 1916, Mr. Brown and Laura Griffiths were married. But two weeks later, on May 1, 1916 he enlisted in the motor transport corps, and after a short training period, was sent to France.

After his discharge, July 16, 1919, Captain Brown returned to Neillsville and secured the position he had held at the condensery.

Mr. Brown joined the local National Guard unit when it was reorganized in 1920 as a Service Company. In 1926 he was promoted to the rank of Captain, and commanded the company from that time until his death. The death of Captain Brown leaves First Lt. W. B. Tufts ranking officer of the company. In addition to his activities with the Service Company, Captain Brown also was a charter member of the Otto A. Haugen post of American Legion, and served as one of the early post commanders.

Captain Brown was appointed postmaster of Neillsville in 1929, during the administration of the Herbert Hoover, and held the position until 1934, when he was succeeded by the present postmaster. Since that time he has served as an auxiliary postal clerk.

Captain Brown bought a farm in the town of York, about four miles north and east of the city, in March of last year. From that time until his recent illness he carried on the task of running the farm in addition to his duties in the

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