An Illustrated History of the State of Washington, by Rev. H.K. Hines, D.D., The
Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL., 1893

AMOS BROWN, one of the successful pioneers of Puget Sound, was born in Bristol,
Grafton county, New Hampshire, July 29, 1833. His parents, Joseph and Relief
(Ordway) Brown, were natives of the same State, and of Scotch and English
ancestors, who were among the pioneer settlers of the country. Joseph Brown was
a prominent lumber  manufacturer, with extensive mills on the Merrimac river,
where he dealt in masts and spars and conducted a general milling business,
which he superintended until he was sixty years of age, when two of his sons
succeeded him in the business and are still carrying it forward. Amos Brown was
reared to habits of industry, and as work was placed before study at that early
period his opportunities for acquiring knowledge were exceedingly limited. He
began work in the lumber camp at the age of ten years, and in mature years
engaged in driving logs on the river, and being a fearless and daring youth he
soon excelled in this occupation and became an expert in the business, securing
the highest wages. He also worked in mills, until he became superintendent,
possessing a thorough knowledge of every department. Leaving home at the age of
twenty-one years, he followed lumbering up to 1858, when the Fraser river gold
excitement broke out and he acquired the "fever," sold his interests and started
for the new El Dorado of the Northwest. Going to New York, he secured steerage
passage, by the Panama route, to Victoria, British Columbia, paying $255 for
continuous passage. The voyage was uneventful, except the discomfort of
overcrowded steamboats, but suffering no accidents he duly arrived at Victoria,
then to find the golden bubble broken, the hopes of thousands blasted, and the
town overcrowded with suffering, starving humanity. Disappointed but not
disheartened, Mr. Brown began looking about for work, and with his knowledge of
lumbering interests at once sailed for Port Gamble, when he found ready
employment at $75 per month and expenses. He took charge of a logging camp for
the first year. He then bought an interest in logging teams, secured contracts
with the mill company, and conducted a very successful business for two years,
when he sold his interests and returned to the employ of the company under
salary, and filled positions of trust up to 1805, when he resigned to visit his
old home in New Hampshire. In 1859, without visiting Seattle, Mr. Brown was
induced to purchase property on Spring street, between Second street and the
water front, and in 1861 made his first visit to the town. In 1863, he and
Messrs. M.R. Maddocks and John Condon built the old "Occidental" hotel, on the
present site of the Occidental Block, and the hotel was conducted about two
years by Messrs. Maddocks & Brown. Our subject then sold his interest to John
Collins, who now owns the property. Mr. Brown returned to Seattle in the spring
of 1867, and then formed a partnership with I.C. Ellis of Olympia and resumed
the lumber business, which was continued very successfully for ten years. Mr.
Brown then operated alone up to 1882, when he sold out and retired from
business, except in looking after his private affairs, which, owing to the
increased values of lands, and his extensive operations in real estate,
represented a handsome fortune. He still owns valuable business property,
improved, and large tracts of timber lands in several of the counties adjoining
the Sound. Mr. Brown was married, in the fall of 1867, to Miss Annie M. Peebles,
native of New York, and the same fall, he erected his cottage home on the corner
of Front and Spring streets, where his family have since resided. He served the
city one term in its council, and the State for two years, as one of the
directors of Steilacoom Hospital for the Indians. He has five children: Ulson
L., Brownie, Ora, Anna and Helen. Mr. Brown is Republican in politics, and
formerly was an active partisan, though latterly he leaves the work to younger
men. He is genial and hospitable in his associations, possessing a kind and
generous nature and enjoying the respect of a large circle of friends and
acquaintances.

Submitted to the WA. Bios Project in January 2004 by Jeffrey L. Elmer

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Notice: These biographies were transcribed for the Washington Biographies
Project. Unless otherwise stated, no further information is available on the
individual featured in the biographies.