EDWARD BROWN
Page 501

BROWN, EDWARD. The simple record of an honorable life is the best monument that can be reared to any citizen, and we therefore shall not attempt to enlarge upon the history of the gentleman above named, who is one of Havana's most reputable citizens; here he is carrying on a profitable trade as an ice dealer. Our subject was born in Sussex County, England, on the 8th of June, 1822, and is the son of Abraham Brown, also a native of that country, where he spent his entire life, dying in 1828. His wife, the mother of our subject, was Mary A. Steele prior to her marriage, and she too died in England, the year of that event being 1840. Edward spent the first twenty-eight years of his life in the Mother Country, and during his boyhood days was given a fair education in the common schools. Later he learned the trade of a butcher, in which business he was engaged until sailing for America in 1850. Landing in New York City after a tedious voyage, he came directly west to Havana, where he decided to make his future home, and after being variously occupied for a number of years, established a meat market of which he was the proprietor for some time. In 1869 Mr. Brown began dealing in ice, and that year built a large store house, which he fills during the winter season with the clearest and purest of ice, cut from the Illinois River. His storage house has a capacity of about two thousand tons of ice. The year prior to coming to the United States our subject was married to Miss Mary A. Ellis, also a native of England and a most intelligent and estimable lady. By her union with Mr. Brown she has become the mother of two sons, William, who is residing at the present time in Bond County this state, and George, engaged with his father in the ice business. Although over seventy-one years of age Mr. Brown is enjoying good health, which fact is due largely to his having been a very temperate man all his life. In politics he is a stanch Republican and was elected on that ticket Trustee of the village prior to its becoming a city. Himself and wife are valued members of the Episcopal Church and take an active part in its work. He has been industrious, prudent and thrifty and has acquired a goodly about of property, owning a comfortable home in the city.

1894 Biography Index

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