W. H. D. Brown

W. H. D. BROWN, who has been a resident of Galena since 1877, has been identified with the mining business for many years and has attained considerable success. He is a native of New York City, where he was born July 7, 1830, and is a son of Thomas and Annie (Golden) Brown. His father was born in France and died in New York City in 1851. His mother was born in New York City and died there in 1853. They were parents of six sons and four daughters, of whom W. H. D. Brown was the third in order of birth.

W. H. D. Brown was educated in the public schools of New York City, and at the age of 18 years learned the trade of a machinist, which he followed for four years. He then ran as engineer on the old New York & Erie Railroad, which was equipped with the old six-foot gauge[sic]. He took up the study of medicine and was graduated from the St. Louis Medical College in 1857, after which he engaged in the drug business in St. Louis. In 1861 he enlisted as steward in the hospital service of the regular army and served for three years, a part of the time as surgeon. At the close of the war, he engaged in the oil business in Pennsylvania, then returned to Missouri, where he practiced medicine and served as postmaster of the town where he lived during the administration of President Grant, the mail at that time being carried on horseback. Joplin, was at that time known as Blytheville. Upon the expiration of his term in office, he farmed near Harrisonville for a year, then went to Oronogo, Missouri, where he held a position as stationary engineer. He came to Galena, Kansas, during the great lead excitement in 1877, and has worked at mining ever since. He has been identified with the South Side Mining Company since 1888, and is now secretary of the company.

Mr. Brown was married in St. Louis to Margaret Russell, a native of Scotland, and they are the parents of the following children: William, who married Mamie Boden and lives at Galena: Margaret, wife of W. A. Potter, of Joplin, Missouri; George, who is unmarried; and Ora, wife of George F. Braun, of Galena. Mr. Brown served 16 years on the School Board and in the Council one year and has also worked for the good of the city. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and of the Elks. He resides with his family at No. 110 Galena avenue.

History of Cherokee County Kansas and its representative citizens, ed. & comp. by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, 1904, transcribed by Carolyn Ward, instructor from USD 508, Baxter Springs Middle School, Baxter Springs, Kansas, 3/11/97.