Mrs. Mary M. Brown, widow of the late Isaac S. Brown, of Pleasant township, was born in Union township, this county, September 15, 1834. She was the daughter of Andrew and Nancy (Banta) Carnine, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. Her father was the son of Andrew and Lydia (Bice) Carnine. Her mother was the daughter of Abram and Mary (Demaree) Banta. She grew to womanhood in her native township,and was married there, to Isaac S. Brown, April 8, 1856. He was born in Wythe County, Va., January 18, 1829, and was the son of Aaron and Margaret (Smith) Brown, who emigrated to this county, and settled in Franklin Township, when he was ten years old. There Isaac S. Brown spent his youth upon a farm. He was married March 14, 1850, to Cynthia E. Sorter. She was born in Pleasant Township, this county, May 8, 1832, and was the daughter of Garrett and Charity (Smock) Sorter, who were natives of Kentucky. Shortly after his marriage, Mr. Brown settled on a farm in Pleasant Township, where he resided until his death. His first wife died July 30, 1855, leaving the following two children: John B., born September 3, 1851, deceased; and David M., May 27, 1855. He is now a resident of Newton, Kan. The marriage of Mr. Brown to the subject of this sketch, resulted in the birth of six children: Robert A., born November 27, 1858; Charles A., April 17, 1859; Edward S., March 15, 1865, (deceased); Isaac N., September 28, 1867; Andrew C., July 25, 1868, (deceased), and Mary L., September 5, 1872. Mr. Brown was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics he was a republican. He became a member of the Presbyterian Church, November 23, 1850, and held the position of elder in that church for over thirty-five years. He died October 17, 1887. His widow still occupies the old home. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church, having joined the same when she was but fifteen years old. Her four children are members of the Presbyterian Church. The old home farm upon which she and two of her children now live, contains 240 acres of good land. It is equipped with a beautiful slate-roofed frame residence, and is in other respects well improved. Mrs. Brown is very highly respected by all who know her. Her eldest son, R. A. Brown, is a graduate of Franklin College, and is at present local editor of the Logansport Daily Journal. The third son, Edward S. Brown, graduated in the common schools, and was a student at college at the time of his death. Isaac N. Brown and Mary L. Brown have also graduated in the common schools.

Transcribed by Cheryl Zufall Parker

Banta, D. D. History of Johnson County, Indiana. Chicago, IL: Brant & Fuller, 1888, page 775.