Hull, Lindley M., compiler and editor.  "A History of Central Washington,
Including the Famous Wenatchee, Entiat, Chelan and the Columbia Valleys."
Spokane: Press of Shaw & Borden Co., 1929.  p. 322.
 
REUBEN AUSTIN BROWN

     but generally known to his friends as "Deak" --- probably a contraction of
Deacon --- is a native of Indiana, but while a mere stripling of a boy, removed
with his parents to Clark County, Washington Territory, in 1877. Six years later
we find him a full-grown man on his way to the Wenatchee country. As an evidence
of grim purpose, he was making the journey on foot. On his back he carried a
pack, consisting of flour, frying pan, coffee pot, small amount of tin-ware, the
indispensable blankets and a trusty gun. Also there may have been a dog. He
traveled via Goldendale, Yakima, and Ellensburg, and was accompanied some of the
way by a man, Tom Owens by name. It may well be believed that the trip was a
strenuous one; but this young man whose legs were long was undismayed by any
such trifles as time and distance. He appeared to have the definite purpose in
view of finding land and location to his liking. This desire was apparently met
in Wenatchee Valley, or more particularly near what is now the town of Monitor.
Mr. Brown has not said that he had much money with him, probably less than much,
but whatever amount of cash that he did possess may have been accepted as the
surplus wealth of his section, for there wasn't anything else there of cash
value.
     Having made selection of his claim under the squatter right, Mr. Brown fell
to work with a will, the building of the log house being one of the things first
to receive his attention.  He spent the winter of 1884-5 with Alex Brender of
Brender Canyon, above what is now Cashmere. The following spring he went back to
Clarke County, and on April 8, 1885, he married Miss Lucy Cole, a native of
Minnesota, but who with her parents had emigrated to Clarke County in 1883.
From The Dalles, Oregon, they traveled with J. L. Weythman who was coming to
Wenatchee with team and wagon. Young Deak Brown should have been congratulated,
for he had secured a worthy helpmate. Mrs. Brown was strong and capable and
filled with the pioneer spirit. It is well that this wedded pair had courage and
determination for many years of struggle lay before them, each particular year
to be filled with hardship, a fact of which they were doubtless conscious, but
they were not dismayed thereby. After all there is nothing in fiction that
equals the romance of real life.  This young couple began their housekeeping
operations with portable property that could have been carried on a horse, while
today they have a highly productive ranch, a fine commodious residence situated
but a short distance from the railroad tracks over which daily roars the traffic
of a continental system, including the fast mail, and the finest equipped
passenger trains in America.
     Mr. Brown was among the first to develop irrigation by means of the
water-wheel.  In the early days Mr. Brown would sometimes go to outside points
for employment, and for about one year he operated a wayside inn for the
accommodation of freight and passenger travel in the Colocken country. He was a
good shot with a rifle and keen hunter of mountain game, and many a deer fell
before his accurate gunfire. It should be remarked in passing that Mr. and Mrs.
Brown were the first white couple to start housekeeping in Wenatchee Valley
proper; also their son Samuel was the first white child born in Wenatchee
Valley. Eleven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Brown, whose names
follow: Samuel L., birthday Jan. 30, 1886.  Noble., Aug. 7, 1887. Ora 0.,
December 4, 1888. Maude A., August 25, 1890.   Alice E., November 19, 1891.
Lutie M., September 12, 1893. Melvina W., July 25, 1895 M. Abigal, May 30, 1898.
Grace E., June 18, 1900. Robert N., December 2, 1902. Erne E., March 10, 1906.
Ora, Alice, M. Abigal, and Grace are not living.

     
*******************

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