Bio: Brown, Bernard J. (History -1841)

Contact: Janet Schwarze

Surnames: BROWN FOLSOME LETSON JACKSON

----Source: 1891 History of Clark Jackson Co., WI, pg. 198-299

BERNARD J. BROWN, of section 9, township 28, range 3 west, town of Withee, and also a pioneer of the town, was born near Rutland, Vermont, October 16, 1841, a son of Peris Brown, a native of the same place, and now of Augusta, Eau Claire County, Wisconsin. He emigrated to McHenry County, Illinois, in 1842, settling in Coral Township, five miles west of Huntley Grove. In 1856 they removed to Black River Falls, this State, where the father engaged in the hardware business until 1871, when they removed to Augusta, where they now reside. Our subject's mother was formerly Achasah Parks, a native of Vermont. The parents had seven children, namely: Helen, now Mrs. Harrison Marshall, of Neillsville Edna, now Mrs. Peter Gwin, of Loyal, this county Bernard, our subject Benjamin F., of Minneapolis Emeline, now Mrs. A. S. Eaton, of St. Paul Mary, who married C. F. Stone, of West Superior, Wisconsin and Edward P., of West Superior also.

The subject of this sketch received his education in Huntley and Black River Falls, where he also followed carpentering. He enlisted in the late war, in Company G, Fifth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, serving nine months. He was in the battles of Hatcher's Run, February 6, 1865 Petersburg, Virginia, March 25, 1865 Petersburg again, April 2, 1865 Sailor's Creek, April 6, 1865, and many others. He came out without having received a wound, and after the war returned to Black River Falls, where he resumed his trade. In the fall of 1871 he came to this county and took a homestead of 160 acres, his present home, and in January, 1872, brought his family to this place. He built a round-log cabin, with shake roof, which he occupied several years, or until he erected a hewed-log house, where he lived until 1883. He then built his present large frame residence, 20 x 30 feet, with additions 12 x 18 feet, and one and a half story high, with a cellar under the latter part. He owns 120 acres of land, of which forty acres are cleared. Mr. Brown was the first Postmaster of Winnieoka, having been appointed in 1874. The post office was at his house, and was also the first post office west of Longwood. He also added a stock of general merchandise to this office, and traded with the settlers and Indians. The wild animals were numerous, and Mr. Brown established a deer lick, where he killed many animals, which afforded him plenty of venison. He once shot a deer from the window of a neighbor's house, while sitting in a rocking chair, and often shot them through the cracks of his barn.

He has been a member of the Town Board two terms, School Clerk several years, and Town Treasurer one year. He is a member of the G. A. R., and was Commander one year of Asbra Welcome Post, No. 163, of Thorp. Mrs. Brown is a member of the W. R. C. Of Mr. Brown's early experiences in this county, one is especially worthy of mention: There were no roads here except logging roads, and those were cut through by settlers. He started to Greenwood with his mule team for supplies, and upon reaching Black River found it very high, with a jam of logs across the ford. He left the wagon and harness, went up the river a short distance, and after much hard work succeeded in pushing one mule into the river. He jumped upon his back, the other mule following, and in this way swam across. He secured his supplies, carried them across on the jam, and swam the mules across to this side.

Mr. Brown was married in Buffalo, New York, November 15, 1865, to Arvilla, daughter of Elijah and Judith Folsom. The parents had four children, three of whom still survive: Dexter, Erie County, New York Jeanette, now Mrs. A. LeClaire, of Black River Falls, Wisconsin and Rosett, no Mrs. T. W. Letson, of Buffalo, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have three children: Nettie A., born May 25, 1868 Roy B., April 18, 1873 and Winnie E., October 13, 1877.  Nettie married Irvin A. Jackson, of Eau Claire County, and they have one child named Vilas H., and born July 18, 1890.

Brown, B. J. (Birthday - 16 Oct 1926)

Brown, B. J. (Clip - Oct 1901)