Portrait & Biographical Records of Montgomery, Parke & Fountain Counties,
Indiana. Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1893, p.561-- Cyrus BROWN. The name of Brown has been
a familiar one in Fountain County from the first years of its settlement in that Simon
Brown, the father of the subject of the sketch, was one of its early pioneers, who was
prominent in the development of its agricultural resources, and was for many years a
valued citizen, who sought to promote the highest interests of his community, socially and
religiously. Simon Brown was born in Adams County, PA in 1840, and was of German
antecedents. He was married in his native county to Nancy Reed, whose father was a
prominent miller of that section of the country. After marriage Mr. Brown and his bride
established themselves in Ohio, near Cincinnati, in 1824. In November 1827, they came
from that point to Indiana and Mr. Brown entered the land upon which his son, Cyrus lives,
and made it his home until his death. He also purchased government land in Benton County.
He settled in the wilderness, his homestaed being covered with primeval forest trees and
deer, bears, wild turkeys and other game abounded, while the Indians still lingered in
their old haunts. With characteristic energy Mr. Brown set about clearning his land, and
in due time became one of the most prosperous of the pioneer farmers, accumulating a
valuable property, and at the time of his death he had over 1000 acres of fine land. He
was a man of strong, vigorous, keen intellect, and was very influential among his fellow
citizens. He assisted in the management of public affairs as Trustee of the Twp, and he
was well known as a Republican in politics. In early life he was a member of the united
Brethren Church in this township. He was one of the founders, giving the land upon which
it is built, and also land for a cemetery. He afterward abandoned that faith, becoming
more liberal in his religious views and he became on eof the leading members of the
Progressive Friends Church, helping to build its house of worship, the Van Buren Church in
which he preached until his death in 1874. His good wife, who shared with him the
hardships and trials of pioneer life survives him at the venerable age of 92 making her
home on the old homestead with her son. She was born Oct 12, 1800 in Adams County, PA and
is one of the oldest settlers in the county. When she came here with her husband not a
tere had been felled on the place, and their first habitation was a log shanty, in which
they lived until they could replace it with a log house. She is still strong and active
for one of her advanced years, as she has led a quiet, busy, healthful life, her intersets
centering in the home which she helped her husband to upbuild, and from which she has
never wanered far, never even taking a journey on the cars. The subject of this
biographical review wasborn Dec 5, 1845 on the old home farm, Sec 2, Shawnee Twp, where he
still lives. He is one of 8 children of whom 4 are living besides himself as follows:
Susanna, widow of Jeremiah Brown, and a resident of Jasper County; Esau and Sarah, twins,
the former a farmer of Shawnee Twp, and the latter the wife of WIlliam H. Marcus, a
farmer of Benton County. Josiah died in infancy; Isaiah died at the age of 9 and Levina
was 6 when she died. Our subject obtained his education in the district school and he was
well trained in all that pertains to farming under his father's instruction. Since he
began life on his own account he has devoted himself to agricultural pursuits, and 190
acres of the old farm has come into his possession. The land has an excellent natural
drainage, is well fenced into convenient fields, which are under the best of cultivation,
and a substantial and commodious set of buildings for every needed purpose add greatly to
the value and appearance of the place. Mr. Brown is a general farmer, and aims to keep a
good variety of stock, from which he derives a fruitful income. Mr. Brown is an
intelligent, thoughtful man, of quick discernment, a clear judgment and high principles,
and an honor to the citizenship of his native county. Politically, he is a strong
Republican, and has mingled somewhat in public life as Supervisor of the Township. He is
now an active member of the Progressive Friends' Church of which he is trustee. The
marriage of our subject with Miss Isabella Crook was solemined 26 Nov 1874 and he brought
his bride to his old home where they have lived ever since. Mrs. Brown was born Nov 12,
1857 a daughter of Bennett and Emily Crook. Her father is a prominent farmer of this
township. The wedded life of Mr. and Mrs. Brown has been hallowed to them by the birth of
4 children, of whom these three are living: Ella Gertrude who is 15; Atchie (sic -
Archie?) Earl, aged 9; and Charles Edwin 5 years of age. Nora Belle died at age 5 months.