"Early History of Thurston County, Washington; Together with Biographies and
Reminiscences of those Identified with Pioneer Days." Compiled and Edited by
Mrs. George E. (Georgiana) Blankenship.  Published in Olympia, Washington, 1914.
p. 116.
 
THE B. F. BROWN FAMILY

     That this compilation of reminiscences should have been started 25 years
ago was never more forcibly impressed than when the compiler undertook to gather
the chief and most thrilling experiences of those delate pioneers, Benjamin F.
Brown and his wife, Mary Olney Brown.   Of the eleven children born to this
couple, only the second to the last child, Oscar Brown, could be located. Oscar
has been away from Olympia so much of his eventful life, that, perforce, his
recollections of the early Olympia days are overshadowed by more exciting events
in his life. Twice around the world, mining in Alaska, hunting and trapping
along the Natehes Pass and still wilder spots, taking adventurous cruises all
alone in his trusty sail boat, ranger and guide in the Olympic reserve, Oscar's
life history alone would fill a good-sized volume.
     But had the writer only been inspired to start this work during the life of
that noblest Roman of them all. Theodore L. Brown, what a rich field of tale and
anecdote could have been opened up. He was full to the brim of stories of his
early experiences, and as he was older than the remaining son, could remember
farther back along in the days when his family lived on the old donation claim,
a couple of miles down on the west side of the bay.
     Benjamin P. Brown was born in South Orange, New Jersey, but removed to Iowa
while still a young man. Here he met and married Miss Mary Olney and after a few
years of married life, the young couple decided to try their fortunes in
the Golden West that was then beginning to attract the adventurous with its fair
promises and glittering prospects.
     The long trip was filled with more than the usual hardships and sorrow, for
cholera and scurvy broke out in their train and many deaths among the emigrants
were caused by these dread diseases. The Browns laid two of their little
children away in lonely graves beside the muddy Platte River.  The grass on the
plains was so dried up and the traveling so hard that all the horses that the
couple started out with died along the way, the oxen began to give out, everyone
who possibly could had to walk to save the animals' strength and finally the
cows, which were being driven along to supply milk to the emigrants and for a
start of stock in the new country were yoked up with the oxen. Mrs. Brown told
her children many a time, in happier times, about their finding a lone woman,
crying beside the road one hot, dreary day. Her family, horsed, all had died,
leaving her there on the plains absolutely alone.  The Browns picked her up and
brought her along to Oregon with them, sharing with the unfortunate woman their
scanty store. Another of the many incidents of true nobleness and generosity
that stand out a white mile stone along the dark path of these early pioneers.
     This trip was made in 1846, and the first stop for any length of time was
made at Portland. A few years were spent at this place, and in the Spring of
1852 Mr. Brown, Washington French and John French came on up to Puget Sound. The
country was then quite well known and attracting considerable attention. Mr.
Brown's family was left in Portland, while he located on a donation claim that
was for many years to be the homestead. The Prenchs also took up donation claims
and became among the best known and respected of the early settlers. Washington
French married a sister of Mrs. Brown.
    When Brown returned for his family, he found that all his cattle, which he
had left on the ranges near The Dalles, had perished, the previous winter. All
the live stock he, had remaining was one poor, lone black cow. At this time an
uncle of Mrs. Brown's, Cyrus Olney, had started a fruit nursery near Portland,
the first one this side the Rockies. He raised his trees from apple seeds
brought over the old Oregon Trail in ox wagons, and as the trees grew rapidly
and thrived exceedingly well in the rich soil, there was enough stock on hand to
furnish Mr. Brown with a supply to bring to Puget Sound and sell among the
settlers. These young trees were peddled clear to Steilacoom, over what is now
Chehalis and Thurston and Lewis Counties. One dollar a graft was readily paid by
the settlers. This was the first start towards the fine orchards which have
since made Thurston County known for excellent fruit.
    Mr. Brown's nest business, venture was to build the historic wharf on the
Westside in partnership with John French. At this wharf were unloaded all the
freight that came to Olympia from San Francisco for years, until Capt. Percival
built the dock which is in use at the present time. Here steamers loaded wood,
which Mr. Brown had cut and hauled by the hundreds of cords from the timber in
the immediate vicinity of the wharf. Later Brown sold the timber on his donation
claim to the veteran logger, I. C. Ellis, for 50 cents per thousand.
     Oscar Brown is still able to recall tales his mother used to tell her
children about the exchange of courtesies between herself and the officers of
the naval ships which would come into the harbor. Among the army officers she
knew was U. S. Grant, then a stripling of a lieutenant, stationed at Fort
Vancouver. The story runs that Grant was then as wild and dare devil as any.
     The mother's stories of their escapes from the Indians and the siege of
terror in which the family lived for weeks, expecting an attack any night from
the savages, are among the children's most vivid recollections. For several
nights the whole Brown family slept out behind a big log, not daring to stay in
their house for fear of a night raid. Finally the danger menaced so strongly
that the family came to town and took up their quarters in the block house.
During this time their son Theodore was born.
      In the year of 1866 the Browns took up a homestead on White River and
loading all their effects on a three-ton sailboat, made Johnson's Point the
first night, and then by easy stages the rest of their water trip. An Indian
trail was followed when the boat was abandoned, and so on to the new home.
      Later, Mrs. Brown took the children to Seattle and put them in school, the
Territorial University being the place where the younger of the children
received the greater part of their education. Theodore and his sister Harriet,
who afterwards became Mrs. Murphy, developed very pleasing voices and whenever
an entertainment of home talent was put on in the historic Yesler Hall they
shone as bright particular stars.
    Mrs. Brown was a woman of remarkable energy and possessed of considerable
literary talent. Her poems and writings for the local papers were much admired
by her friends. Mrs. "Coldwater" Brown the lady was called in later years when
the family returned to Olympia to live. She earned this title from the many
cures she effected among children ill with fevers and other ailments. Her cures
with applications of first hot. then cold water, were said to have been quite
remarkable.  Far and wide, in the country as well as in town, Mrs. Brown was
sent for, night or day. She always responded to an appeal for help with
unfailing zeal and kind heartedness. Her memory
is still cherished by the descendants of the pioneers.
     In searching over an old scrap book compiled by her son Theodore, was found
the poem written by his mother, which is appended. It possesses true literary
merit and is a fitting testimonial to the lady's ability in this line.
     Mrs. Brown died in Olympia in 1884 and was survived by her husband by about
ten years.
     In 1891 the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Brown carried the first flag to
the top of Mount Rainier that was left there. Some years previously one of the
Longmires had carried a United States flag to the top, but had brought it away
with him. Brown and party carried a flag staff with them and with
great difficulty reached the summit. The staff was securely kept in an upright
position with a pile of large rocks heaped around its base. The colors were
hoisted and waved out in the fierce wind which was blowing. Scarcely had the
flag straightened out than the wind snapped the staff off clean and blew
staff, flag and all beyond their reach down the mountain side. Two years later
the flag was recovered and pieces of the banner sold on the street of Seattle as
souvenirs, a piece a few inches across selling for one dollar.
     A sister, Mrs. Seth Murphy, died a number of years ago in Olympia. Theodore
Lee Brown had always had a love for the old homestead, which had long since
passed into strangers' hands. So in the later years of his life and after many
adventures and wanderings, he purchased part of the land and began to build up a
home. "The Firs," one of the best known of summer cottages on the Olympia water
front, was built by him, much of the work around the place in the shape of
rustic seats, the artistic name over the door and other more practical things
being the work of his own hands. And here it came to pass his life ended where
his life had practically begun after a pleasant and useful life of 56 years. In
1886 Theodore married Miss Martha Strange, of Menasha, Wisconsin, and his widow
makes her home during all the summer months at the place he held so dear, The
Firs. 
 

                     MOUNT RAINIER
   (Poem written by Mary Olney Brown, a pioneer woman)

Beautiful mountain, grand and sublime,
Thou standest alone in thy pride;
Thy base firmly fixed on the adamant rock,
Thy head in the clouds thou dost hide.

Say, tell me, how long since thou first was upheaved,
From the bosom of earth thou didst rise;
Since the white snows have crested thy breast
And thy head thou hast hid in the skies?

Was it when the earth in its primeveal state
First came from the hand of its God?
Ere the trees of the forest had spread forth their leaves,
And the grass and the flowers decked the sod?

How oft have I gazed on thy snow covered peak,
With rapture no language can tell;
And thought couldst thou once be permitted to speak,
Of strange things thou surely would tell.

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Submitted to the Washington Bios. Project in May 2007 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.