Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 644 - 645

MILLARD F. BROWN. The salient points in the life of this intelligent and enterprising farmer of Grant Township, who is extensively engaged in raising stock on his farm on section 7, are as follows: He came to Kansas in the spring of 1873, and having purchased 160 acres of railroad land, then raw prairie, where he now lives, built a house, which is the main part of his present residence. He brought out his family in the fall of the same year and made a permanent settlement, and at once commenced improving his farm, which is excellent arable land, and which he has brought to a high state of cultivation. The property is well improved at the present and thoroughly stocked with good grade Norman horses, thoroughbred Short-horn and Holstein-Friesian cattle, and full-blood Poland-China hogs.

            The subject of our sketch was the second child in a family ot three born to his parents, David K. and Mary M. (Fuller) Brown, and is a native of St. Lawrence County, N. Y. His birth took place Jan. 13, 1850. His parents were also natives of the same county, an uncle of our subject having been the first child born in Parishville, in that section of the Empire State. The paternal grandparents of him of whom we write were Luke and Anna (Lockwood) Brown, natives of Vermont, who had come from their native State to New York at an early day, among the pioneers of St. Lawrence County. His maternal grandparents, Levi and Nancy Fuller, were also natives of the Green Mountain State, and settled in New York in pioneer days.

            The father of our subject was engaged in farming for some years, and then moving to Potsdam, in the same State, entered into the mercantile business, in which he is at present engaged. Both he and his estimable wife are still residents of the last-named city. Millard F. Brown was reared to the occupation of a farmer, and received his education in the district schools of his native county. After an apprenticeship on his father's farm, he commenced life for himself by engaging in agricultural pursuits in the Empire State. May 16, 1871, he was united in marriage at Potsdam, with Miss Wealtha B. Hicks, who was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., March 23, 1849. The bride was the second in a family of three children born to her parents, Jackson and Sophronia (Bannister) Hicks, both of whom were natives of the Empire State. Her paternal grandparents were John and Sallie (Rugg) Hicks, natives of Vermont, the former of whom was a soldier during the War of 1812-15, and in his latter years was the recipient of a pension from the Government. Her grandparents on her mother's side were Stewart and Patience Bannister, the latter of whom was the second wife of her husband. Stewart Bannister was also a pensioner of the War of 1812, having served his time during that contest. Mrs. Brown's mother died in 1874, but her father is still a resident of Potsdam, N. Y.

            After his marriage, the subject of our sketch entered a flouring-mill at Potsdam, where he spent some two years in learning the trade of a miller, but at the expiration of that time returned to farm pursuits. He came to Kansas in the spring of 1873, as mentioned above, and has since made this his home. A Republican in politics, he gives but little attention to the party work, simply availing himself of his elective franchise. The only public offices for which he has any aspirations are those connected with the educational system of the township. He has been very instrumental in the organization of some of the school districts, and has held the position of member of the School Board for some nine or ten years. To him and his wife have been born a family of five children, viz: Fred M., Mary S., Robert L.; Edith C., who died at the age of two years and eight months, on the 13th of February, 1875; and Jean J., who died Oct. 14, 1874, at the age of three months. The children living are all at home, and in attendance upon the school of their home district.

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