VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR FROM WALNUT, IA
ALBERT H. BROWN
“Albert H. Brown was born on June 18, 1830 in Salisbury, Connecticut. He was married to Caroline Saunders in Salisbury on January 18, 1853. In 1855 he moved with his family to Sheffield, Illinois, where they lived until coming to Iowa in 1871, settling at Walnut where he spent the remainder of his life.
To Mr. and Mrs. Brown were born three children, all living and present at the time of the father’s death. They are: Mrs. O. W. Brightman, of Green Bay, Wisconsin; C. A. Brown, of Cooksville, Illinois; and Mrs. L. L. Hanson, of Walnut.
Albert Brown was a veteran of the Civil War, a member of Co. G. 151, Illinois Inf. Vol., serving one year, receiving honorable discharge at the close of the war. He was a member of John A. Dix Post No. 408.
A kind and loving father, a good citizen and helpful neighbor, patient in affliction, ever solicitous for the good of others, we have lost a true friend. His going is mourned by his surviving children and a host of old friends and neighbors who will not soon forget his wholesome influence and helpful life. The floral tokens bespeak the high esteem in which our friend was held. I am glad for having known this good man—his words of council and advice have been helpful to me—my father was a soldier, loved the flag and the country of which it is an emblem. Father Brown was a true American citizen.
A. H. Brown departed this life from the home of his daughter, Mrs. L. L. Hanson in Walnut, March 11, 1917, aged 86 years, 8 months and 21 days.
Funeral services, conducted by Rev. Evan R. Stroud, pastor of the Casey M. E. church, and assisted by Rev. F. L. Shepherd of Grace M. E. church at Walnut, were held at the daughter’s home on Tuesday, March 13th, at one o’clock p.m., after which the remains were laid peacefully at rest in the family lot in the Walnut Cemetery.” (The Walnut Bureau, March 15, 1917)
“Caroline Saunders was born June 10, 1853 [Ed Note: Her gravestone says June 10, 1832, but if her age at death is correct, it should be January 10, 1831] at Salisbury, Connecticut, where she grew to womanhood and married in January 1853, at the age of twenty-one years, Albert H. Brown. Two years later they moved to Illinois, where they resided until 1871, when they “settled south of Walnut on the land now owned by Nick Petersen and the estate of Mrs. Sievers. This was their home for several years when they moved into town and have since made their home in Walnut.
Mrs. Brown passed from this life on Friday morning, September 1, after a sickness that had lasted for more than six months, most of which time she had been bed fast and slowly sank away until relieved of her suffering by death at the age of 73 years, 7 months and 21 days.
She leaves to mourn her departure her faithful and loving husband, and three children, C. A. Brown and Mrs. O. W. Brightman of Wausaukee, Wisconsin and Mrs. L. L. Hanson of this place, all of whom were present at the funeral, although the son and daughter were unable to get here from their Wisconsin home in time to see their mother before the end came.
Funeral services were conducted at the family residence by Rev. Walter A. Allen, of the Methodist church, which were attended by many true friends of the deceased who sorrowfully followed her body to its last resting place in the Walnut cemetery where with a short and impressive ceremony the mortal remains of the loving wife and mother was consigned to the care of the earth from which it came.” (The Walnut Bureau, September 8, 1905, p. 4)
Using our property records, we found many Walnut lots that were owned by A. H. and Caroline Brown. From 1880 to 1886, they owned 204 Antique City Drive, most recently Tony’s BBQ Bistro. I suspect that they lived at 410 Antique City Drive, which locals call “The Owl House,” owned by the Browns from 1890 until 1900. It is currently owned and being renovated by Richie Holtz of Walnut. The Browns also owned the properties at 405, 407 & 409 Walnut Street from 1894 until 1898 & 1899. In 1899, out lot 5 and part of lot 16 were listed as A. H. Brown’s.
Researching at familysearch.org found information on the children of Albert and Caroline Brown. Charles Albert Brown was born in Falls Village, Connecticut on May 23, 1854. His spouse’s name was Laura M. Brown when he died on July 8, 1927 in Hinsdale, DuPage County, Illinois. He was a lumberman living at Cooksville, Illinois. He is buried in the Collar Cemetery at Colfax, McLean County, Illinois.
Sadie Brown married Orris W. Brightman in Walnut in 1888. Sadie Brown and O. W. Brightman were listed as the parents of Albert Brightman when he married Elfa Pugh in Franklin, Ohio on January 23, 1915. He was 25 and born in Wausaukee, Wisconsin.
Jennie E. Brown married Louis L. Hanson in Walnut on November 25, 1896. He was born in Denmark and came to America at age 13; she was born in Illinois. Louis L. and Jennie E. are buried beside her parents in the Layton Township Cemetery at Walnut. According to their gravestones, Louis was born February 20, 1870 and died August 8, 1943. Jennie was born on May 10, 1861 and died on June 6, 1954. According to their obituaries, they lived in Walnut for many years before moving to Omaha. They were survived by their son, Clifford of Omaha.
KH