Bio: Brown, Ariel Spencer (History - 1820)

Contact: Janet Schwarze

Surnames: BROWN WARD NOBLE BENNETT

----Source: 1891 History of Clark Jackson Co., WI, pg. 265-266

ARIEL SPENCER BROWN, one of the old and respected citizens of Jackson County, was born February 5, 1820, a son of Ariel D. and Betsey (Ward) Brown. His father was a native of New York, and his mother of Vermont. Paternal grandfather John Brown was an old soldier of the Revolutionary war, having enlisted when a boy sixteen years of age. Jonathan Ward served in the war of 1812, his commanding officer being general Brown. Ariel is of English descent, born in New York and when a boy his parents moved to Ohio in which State he was brought up. His father was one of the old pioneers of Ashtabula County, Ohio. In 1848 he married Miss Sarah Ann Noble. In 1856 he, in company with his faithful wife, came to Wisconsin, buying a farm of 160 acres on sections 6 and 7, township 22, Jackson County. He began cultivating and improving his farm, which he still owns, and it is now one of the best farms in the county. The country here when he first came was thinly settled. Black River Falls was a mere hamlet. The Shanghai House was the only hotel, and Mr. Brown sold butter, eggs, etc., to the landlord of that then noted hostelry.

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Brown was blessed with four children. The oldest daughter, Marian, is the wife of Edward Noble, in Sauk County the next, Sarah Ann, is married to George Bennett, of Barron County, this State the third and youngest daughter, Maria, died in 1891. The only son, Ariel D., lives with his father. Mr. Brown and his noble wife can truly be called pioneers of Jackson County. For forty-two years they walked hand in hand down the pathway of life, each being a joy and comfort to the other but she grew weary, and on February 22, 1890, rested by the wayside and left him to journey alone. This devoted wife and loving mother was a member of the Methodist Church, and died as she had lived, a true and faithful follower of the Lamb, her last words being, Jesus is most precious.

Mr. Brown and all his children are members of the Methodist Church, and the children are following closely in the footsteps of their Christian parents. Mr. Brown has passed the seventieth mile-post of life, and awaits the Master's call to join his faithful wife in the beautiful home beyond the pearly gates.