J. W. Brown Obituary

J. W. Brown

COLLINS PLOW COMPANY HEAD PASSES AWAY
J. W. Brown Died Sunday Morning at His Home at the Ripe Age of 79 J. W. BROWN. Late Head of the Collins Plow Company, Who Died Sunday Morning.
     Death Sunday morning ended the long and honorable career of J. W. Brown, for 46 years a resident of this city and for 38 years actively identified with the growth and prosperity of the Collins Plow company. Seventy-nine years old at the time of his death, up to a short year ago he was active in the management of the great plant which has grown up under his careful guidance, from a small beginning to one of the largest manufacturers of farm implements in this section of the country. Some twelve months ago the natural decline of age began to tell on him, and he decided to retire from active pursuits, although up to the first of January of the present year he remained as treasurer of the company, of which he had been the secretary – treasurer and general manager for the last 30 years. At the time of his death he was president of the Quincy Humane Society, in which he had always taken a great interest, succeeding the late Henry P. Walton on the latter's death. The funeral is to take place Wednesday afternoon from the First Christian church.
     Born on Farm
     Mr. Brown was born on a farm some four or five miles northeast of Palmyra, January 20, 1840, being the son of William P. and Martha Brown. He was educated in the common schools of that period and later took a course at the Palmyra Academy, which was conducted by the late Dr. William Corbyn, later and for many years rector of the Church of the Good Shepherd and principal of the High School here. Among his papers this morning was found a certificate showing he taught school in 1864, Before teaching school, however, he worked on the farm and was orphaned at an early age, his father passing away when the son was only 13 years of age. His early struggles, therefore to obtain an education, were such as to require the true grit, which showed itself all through his life.
   Was Married in 1861.
     Mr. Brown was married in 1861, on Oct. 31, to Charity Lovelace, three children being born to this union, all of whom survive. They are John M., of Columbus, Ohio; Mrs. Mary Farrar of Quincy and William, also of this city. There are also four grandchildren, besides two sisters and two half-brothers.
     Since his residence in Quincy he has been a member of the First Christian church, for many years past being the chairman of the board of trustees. He had always taken a deep interest in religious matters, and was one of the staunch pillars of this church.
     Long Career In Quincy.
     Mr. Brown came to this city in 1873, his first employment being with H. Burtner & Co., who conducted the large implement business in the building now razed, which stood in the rear of The Journal office. Later, while 'making his home in Quincy, he traveled for Hearst, Dunn & Co. of Peoria, manufacturers of corn planters.
     In 1881 he went with Battell & Collins, who conducted the “plow shop,” as it was known, at Twelfth and Hampshire. The company was reorganized at the time and known as the Collins Plow company, and he became the secretary.
     In 1880 the company was reorganized, it having grown to large proportions under his management, and he was made the general manager as well as the secretary – treasurer. He remained in this capacity until his health failed him a year ago last April, when he retired from the active management, retaining only the treasurership. This he turned over to his son, William, last January.
[The Quincy Daily Journal, May 19, 1919, Transcribed by Debbie Gibson]