Caleb O. Brown

CALEB O. BROWN, a thriving young farmer and stock raiser of Jefferson township, Boone county, Ind., was born in Montgomery county, Ind., May 28, 1860, and is a son of John S. and Eliza A. (Osborn) Brown, also natives of the Hoosier state and of English descent. They were the parents of four children, viz: Sara J., wife of William B. Denny; Dicey 0., wife of Parson B. Chambers; Caleb 0., and George E., the latter of whom died in January, 1886. The mother of these children died in 1886, and the father in June, 1890. The family settled in Boone county in the year in which Caleb O. was born (1860), and here the latter was reared on his father's farm, receiving a good education in the schools of his neighborhood. He is now the proprietor of a fine farm, and makes, a specialty of feeding stock for market, and in this industry is regarded as the most enterprising man of his age in Boone county. His marriage took place February 5, 1885, to Miss Rebecca Todd, daughter of Joseph and Ann R. (Pinkerton) Todd, natives of New Jersey and of English descent. It is said that "Death loveth a shining mark," and mythology informs us that "whom the gods love die young." It was so in this case. After giving her young husband a pledge of her blissful love -- whom they named Hazel -- she was stricken by the "insatiate archer" April 20, 1887, her mortal remains being now in repose in the cemetery, near Dover, a village of Boone county. But time cures all, and Mr. Brown married Miss Clara B. Edwards March 13, 1889, daughter of David and Elizabeth (Dice) Edwards, both the parents being of English descent and natives, respectively, of Ohio and Virginia. To this second marriage of Mr. Brown have been born two children, Helen and Ruby. The parents are both members of the Presbyterian church, and their standing in social circles is as desirable as it is deserving. In politics Mr. Brown is a republican, and in his fraternal relations is a member of the Masonic lodge at Thorntown -- its charter number being 113.

Transcribed and contributed by: Chris Brown
Source: "A Portrait And Biographical Record of Boone and Clinton Counties, Ind.," page 236,
published in 1895 by A. W. Bowen & CO. Chicago.
 

CALEB O. BROWN - Within the past decade the farms of Indiana have advanced from two hundred to three hundred percent in selling value, and this in spite of the fact that every year the opinion has been more or less current that the top price has been reached, yet the tendency of the values continue steadily upward. What applies to one county of our great commonwealth, relates to the other divisions in this splendid corn belt as well as the changes that have come in the period of time mentioned have had no little effect upon the general tendency of farm values. The improvement of the country roads, the use of the auto, the equipment of farm homes, with their efficient heating, lighting and watering systems, the installation of power for operating pumps, washing machines, separators, churns and sewing machines, to say nothing of the larger power plants for shelling, grinding and cutting, have each contributed to the convenience, independence and profit of the farm.

One of the most progressive farmers and enterprising citizens is Caleb O. Brown, who was born in Montgomery county, Indiana, May 28, 1860. He is a son of John S. and Eliza A. (Osborn) Brown, the father a native of Hancock county, and the mother a native of Boone county, Indiana. The paternal grandparents, Lucius and Alsey Brown, were natives of New Jersey and Indiana, respectively. The maternal grandparents, Caleb and Dicy (Gohst) Osborn, were both natives of Virginia. The father of the subject of this sketch was born in 1828, and the mother's birth occurred in 1832. The grandparents on both sides were very early settlers in Indiana. Grandfather Brown came to Boone county from Hancock county. After their marriage the parents of our subject settled in Montgomery county, just over the line from Boone county. On January 1, 1861, they sold out and bought one hundred and sixty acres, our subject's present farm in Jefferson township. Only a small clearing had been made on the place, and much of the place was a swamp. The elder Brown started to clear and improve the place, doing extensive ditching. He added forty acres later and here he made a success as a general farmer. His death occurred June 1, 1890, his wife having preceded him to the grave December 2, 1886. The following children were born to them: Josephine, who married W. D. Denny, of Jefferson township; George E. died in Kansas in 1887; Caleb O., of this review; Dicy is the wife of Parson B. Chambers, of Indianapolis.

Caleb O. Brown grew up on the home farm and received his education in the common schools. On September 5, 1885, he married Rebecca Todd, who was born in Franklin county, Indiana, and is a daughter of Joseph and Ann (Rockafeller) Todd, natives of New Jersey. To this union one child was born, Hazel, now the wife of Harry Sumpter, of Jefferson township. The wife and mother passed to her rest in the Silent Land in April, 1887. On March 15, 1889, Mr. Brown married Clara B. Edwards, a native of Montgomery county, born December 8, 1865, a daughter of David and Elizabeth (Dice) Edwards. Two children were born by this marriage, Helen, born April 26, 1890, and Ruby, born August 15, 1894, who married Charles E. Johnson and lives on Mr. Brown's farm.

After his marriage, Mr. Brown moved to forty acres his father had given him, and on which stood a log cabin. Here he lived, constantly improving the place, until 1900. He had prospered by good management and hard work, and had added to his original holdings until he had one hundred and thirty acres. He bought out the heirs of the homestead in 1900. He has remodeled the house and built barns and made other up-to-date improvements. The home place consists of two hundred and twenty acres, and one-half mile north lies his one hundred and forty acres, also well improved. He has been very successful as a general farmer and stockman, carrying on both on an extensive scale. He raises registered stock, horses, cattle and hogs and owns and handles more registered Percheron horses than any one man in the county. He has handled all the land himself most successfully, too, and is regarded as one of the leading agriculturists of Boone county, and is one of the financially strong men of Jefferson township. He organized the Hazelrigg Telephone Company and made it a pronounced success, also helped organize all the other local co-operative telephone companies in the county. He was the first president of the former company and was a director in the same many years. He is also a director in the Union Trust Company of Lebanon. He is regarded by all who know him as a business man of exceptional ability, sound of judgment and keen discernment, and honorable in all his dealings with his fellowmen, so that he has ever enjoyed their confidence and esteem.

Politically, Mr. Brown is a Republican, and has been active and influential in public affairs for many years. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic Order, No. 113, and the Knights of Pythias, No. 124, both at Thorntown; also under the former belongs to the Chapter, Council and Commandery at Lebanon; and to the Scottish Rite and Mystic Shrine of Indianapolis. Personally, Mr. Brown is a genial, courteous and companionable gentleman whom it is a pleasure to meet.

Submitted by: Amy K. Davis
Source: "History of Boone County, Indiana," by Hon. L. M. Crist, 1914