Stephen Brown, one of the leading citizens of Franklin, Johnson Co., Ind., and one worthy of mention in a work of this character, is a native of Wythe County, Va., where he was born on February 8, 1821. He is the son of John and Frances (Bridgman) Brown, both of whom were also natives of Virginia. The parents immigrated to Indiana in about 1835, and were among the pioneers of Johnson County. They located in what is now Pleasant Township, where a few years later they purchased a farm, and where they resided until their deaths. The father died in July, 1836, and the mother died in December, 1872. To this union eight children were born, seven of whom survive. Our subject was reared on the farm in Pleasant Township. He followed farming up to 1884, and then removed to Franklin, where he now lives a quiet and retired life, renting his farm of 305 acres. He owns and lives in a large comfortable brick residence, and is surrounded with all the comforts of life. Though he has never held nor sought public office, he has always taken an interest in public affairs, and is a democrat in politics. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and takes an interest in all church and school affairs, and is a man generally known and respected for his sterling traits of character. He was united in marriage in 1843, to Miss Dorotha Sharp, the daughter of Abraham Sharp, who was born, June 19, 1825. To this union nine children have been born, six of whom are living; the children are as follows: John S., born April 5, 1825; Abraham D., September 4, 1844, deceased; Catherine Jane, July 5, 1850; Mary Ann, April 24, 1853; William Martin, March 14, 1856; Isaac Edward, June 17, 1859, deceased; Francis Leonidas, March 1, 1863; Sarah M., October 25, 1867; Charley J., April 7, 1872, deceased. All of the children are married. The mother and three children are members of the Presbyterian Church, and one son of the Union Mission Church.