"Portrait & Biographical Record of the Willamette Valley Oregon."  Chapman 
Publishing Company, 1903. p. 578.
 
JAMES H. BROWN

     No more enterprising farmer is maintaining the excellent standard
established by a pioneer father than James H. Brown, one of the three sons
occupying the original donation claim of their father, the elder James H. Brown.
The latter was born in Virginia November 10, 1796, his remote ancestors having
pursued their various occupations in the German empire. From Virginia Mr. Brown
removed to Illinois, where he engaged in farming, and where he married Sophia
Hussey, a native of that state. He was an ambitious man and readily absorbed the
glowing accounts of superior chance in the west, and finally sold his Illinois
farm and outfitted for the transportation of his wife and children to the coast.
The journey was accomplished with three wagons and six yoke of oxen, a team of
horses and a spring wagon for the family, and the train moved along leisurely
and without incident until after the Missouri river was crossed. About that time
cholera broke out in the hopeful little party, and Mr. Brown was sorely
afflicted, barely coming through the ordeal alive.  Their misfortunes were
further added to by one of their children, James H., having both legs broken,
but as far as the Indians were concerned there was no particular trouble from
them.
     For a short time Mr. Brown lived in Gopher valley, but the first winter in
the state was spent with Nathan Hussey, one of the very early settlers in the
west.  In the spring Mr. Brown bought the donation claim upon which he spent the
remainder of his life, and which consists of six hundred and forty acres along
the Yamhill river. So successful was he that in time his interests demanded more
property, and by frequent purchases he increased his possessions to seventeen
hundred acres. His death. May 30, 1875, removed a useful and capable citizen,
one devoted to the Methodist Church and to the Republican party. Originally a
Whig, he naturally stepped into Republican ranks and among the offices held by
him with distinct credit was that of county commissioner, which he held for two
years. He is buried in the little cemetery in Willamina, as is also his wife,
who died November 8, 1894.
     Coming to Yamhill at the age of eight, James H. Brown remembers but little
of his father's farm in Illinois, where he was born, near Springfield, Sangamon
county, June 14, 1842. He early evinced habits of industry and thrift, and as
opportunity offered he attended the district schools. November 30, 1865, he was
united in marriage with Evelyn Yocom, daughter of Franklin Yocom, and soon after
came into his share of the family claim, which has since been his home. In
addition to the one hundred and forty-five acres of the home place he has
seventy-five acres adjoining, besides eight hundred acres in another place, and
enough more land to make up fifteen hundred acres.  The entire donation claim is
owned by the three brothers, all of whom are enterprising and prosperous members
of the community. Mr. Brown has extensive interests both as to general farming
and stock-raising, and in the latter capacity has Cotswold sheep, Hereford
cattle and horses. The farm is located three miles west of Sheridan, and the
improvements thereon are of the most modern kind, both as to buildings and
implements. For many years the owner has derived a substantial income from the
purchase and sale of all kinds of stock, and is one of the best judges and
experienced men in the business in Yamhill county.
     A chief avenue of interest to Mr. Brown has been the promoting of the
educational opportunities of his district, and in this capacity he has been a
member of the school board for twenty years. Like his father and brothers he is
a Republican. His family consists of his wife and the following children:
Wilbur N., Minnie, Henry H., Franklin Y., Dudley (deceased), Althea, Bertha,
Lloyd L., and Pearl. Lloyd L. and Pearl were twins, but the latter died in
infancy.

     
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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in February 2009 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.