BROWNS PRECINCT

BROWNS PRECINCT

Transcribed by Laurie Selpien from Edwards County Sesquicentennial 1814 – 1864

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Browns as a precinct did not exist during the early history of Edwards County but was considered a part of the Albion Precinct. Few records of the early history are available because first books were destroyed by fire. However land grants for land now in Browns Precinct go back to 1818. in that year James Dewhirst received title to land in section 31, T1S, R14W. Just south of this in section 6 J. Woods and Morris Birkbeck entered land while in the next section south John Brisenden and J. Sherrington and T. or S. Brown purchased tract of land. John Brissenden built a brick residence on his property in 1840 which is now known as the Perry Hubert home. Mr. Brissenden was very active in civic affairs and was instrumental in organizing the Edwards County Fair in 1857. Richard Flower entered land in section 33 just north of the present site of Browns and with the town proprietors of Albion built a bridge across Bon Pas at a cost of $500.

On August 31, 1821 records indicate that Robert Frazier entered the east half of the Northeast one-forth of section Nine which area became known as Frazier Prairie. Frazier was the name applied to the settlement which grew up in Section 4 when the bridge was constructed across Bon Pas at that point. Recorded history of Browns begins in 1880 when John Henderson and his wife Emma had the present site surveyed into blocks, streets, lots, and alleys and named it Frazier. On May 7, twelve years later, a petition was filed asking that an election be held to incorporate the site as the village of Browns, apparently in honor of a prominent citizen of that name. The election was held on the 24^th of May of that year and carried narrowly 31 to 27. On June 21, 1892, Thomas Marriott was selected president of the first village board.

Construction of the Peoria, Decatur, and Evansville Railroad through here about 1880 and the junction with the Southern proved a most important impetus to the village and it grew in leaps and bounds. Since all merchandise was at that time moved by freight, the Union Station became an important freight transfer point for both local and car lot shipments. Both roads had two passenger trains each way daily – eight trains in all. The schedules were not fast but one could set his watch by their arrival at the station. The trains on both roads took on water at the two water towers which were kept filled with Bon Pas water by the pump operated by the late Al McLane. There was usually one train in Browns at any time of day and often more than one.

Browns, was also the eastern terminus of the Albion hack line operated for many, many years by “Corky” Dawson. All I. C. trains were met by this famous vehicle as corky carried the mail and furnished transportation for any citizen who was in one town and wished for any reason to be in the other. Because of its rail connections, Browns was an important stopping place for the large fraternity of traveling salesmen who sold goods that kept the railroads running. For many years the Browns Hotel, located just southwest of the railway station, was one of the most prosperous in the area. A livery barn in the south part of the town furnished a rig and a driver, if desired, to transport to outlying points.

In 1883 the following businesses and professions were being conducted in the town of Frazier (later Browns) St. Charles Hotel – Milton Westfall; physician J. H. Harris; physician, druggist, and pharmacist, A. W. Messick; Groceries and Queensware, E. Craig; Wagon and repair shop – W. Biggers; Grain Dealer, K. Marriott; Shoe shop-Nelson Jones; general Blacksmith – Charles A. Schwartz; Dressmaker and Milliner- Miss Mills; Postmaster K. Marriott.

1n 1883 the tile factory operated by Boren and Beloat east of the railroad station and south of Airline tracks made up to 8000 feet of tile per month and employed five men. Size of tile varied from three to eight inches with yearly production valued at $4,000.

A tomato canning plant was inaugurated in July 1889 and a report for August 24, 1898 stated that the factory was very busy, having filled 7,000 cans on Saturday. With nearly four carloads of filled cans on hand, additional storage space was under construction. In its best years the town boasted four general stores operated by John Schrader, Walter Marriott, Frederick Hortin and Wm. “Billy” Crackel. The late Doctor Motor began practice in browns about 1905. There were two grain elevators, owned by john Schrader and Kelsey Marriott, which furnished outlets for the farmer’s grain.

Two centers of social life were the restaurants, each of which had a special claim to fame. Miner’s operated by Arch Miner, made and wholesaled homemade ice cream which was conceded to be second to none. The other restaurant, run by Jack Weisenberger, was famous for its excellent food. Train crews patronized Weisenberger’s in those days as truck drivers now single out the best eating spots on the road.

The Browns of sixty years ago was robust, vigorous and perhaps a little rambunctious. She even had a saloon for a short time, which was voted out April 20, 1898. Today the economy of Browns is dependent largely on products of its surrounding farm area. Browns is justly proud of its volunteer fire department which takes a very active part of civic affairs.