ASHTABULA COUNTY OHIO 
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Transcribed by Cherre Loftus Flynn.

THE HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY, OHIO
        WITH ILLUSTRATIONS AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
          OF ITS PIONEERS AND MOST PROMINENT MENT
           Published in Philadelphia by Williams Brothers in 1878


 JOHN BROWN.  "The subject of the present sketch, ( ), was born in Bethany,
 Genesee County, New York, on the 30th day of June, in the year 1815, and is the
 eldest child of Nathaniel and Lorana Keith Brown, who removed from the above
 place to Ohio, and located in Trumbull Township, to which point they arrived on
 May 24, 1828.  The place of their settlement was near the site now occupied by
 the residence of A.R. Eastman, at East Trumbull.  They resided in this little hamlet
 until their decease.

 The education of Mr. Brown was obtained at the district school, the greater part of
 it prior to his removal to Ohio.  Arriving in the wilderness, of course the first work
 was to subdue the giant forest trees then covering the lands comprising his
 father's purchase.  Steadily this vocation was pursued until the attaining of his
 majority, when he made his first purchase of real estate.  This consisted of thirty
 acres, and is now owned by Ira Slater.  In December, 1841, Mr. Brown
 purchased, in company with his father, the grist mill at East Trumbull originally built
 by Messrs. Clark and Wait, paying therefor four thousand dollars.  This mill was
 conducted under different managements until 1865, when Mr. Brown became the
 sole owner, and still continues as such.  He has, however, thoroughtly refitted the
 mill until now it does excellent work and commands a good custom.  Of the
 military record of Mr. Brown, we find that he entered the United States service in
 the fall of 1861, as a private, company K, Sixth Ohio volunteer Cavalry; went into
 rendezvous at Warren, Trumbull County; was elected lieutenant of his company,
 but deeming Mr. Freer as justly entitled to the position, declined in his favor, and
 was appointed sergeant; went to the front; was engaged in numerous fights and
 skirmishes while in the Army of Potomac; September 8, 1864, was discharged.
  Returned to Trumbull, and purchased the mill as above stated.

 He was united in marriage, on the 30th day of January, 1837, to Polly A., daughter
 of Henry and Lovina Cogswell, of Trumbull Township.  From this marriage were
 born the following children, viz.:  Ellen, born April 5, 1840; married Sam Evans;
 lives in Michigan.  Dann, born July 30, 1841; killed in action, at Enon Church, May
 28, 1864.  Henry, the next child, was born December 3, 1843; married Carrie
 Herrendine.  Wallace, born August 19, 1846; married Effie Hackett.  George,
 born March 16, 1849; died in infancy.  Jane born in 1852; married Clayton
 McArthur.  Olive, born April 12, 1855; died in 1863.  George, born February 5,
 1857; and Frank, the last, born October 25, 1861.  These children remain in their
 native township except as above stated.  The mother of these children died on
 September 11, 1864, and on August 3, 1867, Mr. Brown married his present wife,
 who was Miss Olive Brainard, of Trumbull.  

 The first township office to which (Mr. Brown) was elected was that of constable,
 when he was of age; served five years.  He has been trustee of the township for a
 term of years.  He early became a Christian, and joined the Free-Will Baptist
 Church.  On the organization of the Disicple Church at East Trumbull, he became
 a member of it, and has been foremost in promoting its interests.  He took the
 "lion's share" in the erection of the church edifice.  He is a Republican."