Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers.  "An
Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam,
Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties")  Spokane, WA: Western Historical
Publishing Co., 1905.  p. 629.
 
JOHN J. BROWN

     deceased. Although the gentleman, whose name appears above, has ceased to
move in our midst, still his labors are everywhere evident to the dweller in
Gilliam county and he is to be classed as one of the builders of the county. As
a pioneer, he was brave and hardy and never quailed at the hardships of the
frontier. He was a loving and wise father and a devoted husband. In the walks of
life he so conducted himself that he won the unstinted praise and esteem of his
fellows and his wise counsels were of much benefit to assist in the opening and
starting of this county and its progress.
     John J. Brown was born in Missouri, on March 7, 1848, the son of Silas and
Jane A. (Blair) Brown, natives of Missouri and Kentucky, respectively. In 1852,
the father brought his family across the plains and settled on a donation claim
in Lane county, this state. He was an industrious and progressive man and
labored faithfully in his day for the opening of the country and its
advancement. Our subject was reared and educated in Lane county and there
remained until 1874, when he came east of the mountains to try his fortune in
the new country where Indians were about the sole inhabitants. They settled on
Rock creek and he and his wife started to make a home in the country where the
wild animals roamed at will and the Indians were many and the white neighbors
were but few. They erected rude improvements to start with and gathered some
cattle about them. As the time wore on, they builded better and the stock
increased. The Dalles, one hundred miles distant, was the nearest trading point
and they had much to contend with in establishing themselves here and in
continuing. Mr. Brown labored on faithfully, meeting with the success that
sagacity and thrift deserve, until 1890, when he sickened and later was called
hence by death.
     In 1870, Mr. Brown married Miss Mary Sparks, who was born in Wells county,
Indiana, on April 16, 1851. Her parents, Abel and Elizabeth (Douglas) Sparks who
were born in Kentucky and Pennsylvania, respectively, crossed the plains in
1852. The father died en route and the mother came on to the Willamette valley
which was her home until 1870, when she came to this vicinity. To our subject
and his wife the following named children have been born: Frank M., Charles A.,
Herbert G. W. Campbell, Elsie A., and John J. They are all engaged in stock
raising and are among the prosperous people of this section. They have
considerable land and other property and have carried on the business which the
father left to them. Mrs. Brown with her family is to be commended on the
success attained since the death of Mr. Brown in the business affairs. She and
her children are highly respected people and are among the leading citizens of
this part of the county.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in January 2011 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.