John Q. Brown, a prominent farmer and stockman of Northern Kansas, is a native of Illinois. He was born in Pike county, October 13, 1848; and is a son of Henry R. and Elizabeth J. (Chapman) Brown, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of South Carolina. The father was extensively engaged in farming and stock raising in Illinois, until the time of his death in 1903. Henry R. Brown was of English descent, his father, William Brown, being a native of London and immigrated to America at the age of twenty. John Q. Brown was reared to manhood in Pike county, Ill., and was educated in the public schools, graduating from the high school. He then acted in the capacity of foreman on his father's ranch for some time, and also engaged in farming on his own account. In 1873, he engaged in general farming for himself in Illinois, remaining there until 1886, when he came to Kansas, locating in Jackson county, and purchased a farm adjoining the town of Whiting. He had purchased 160 acres before coming to Kansas and when he came here purchased an additional 104 upon which his residence is located. Mr. Brown is one of the successful farmers and stockmen of Jackson county, and in the conduct of his farming and stock raising, follows scientific methods, modified by the practical experience of a life-time in that line of work. He makes a specialty of short horn cattle and feeds a large number for market, shipping several carloads annually. He also raises a large number of Poland China hogs, and is also extensively interested in imported Percheron horses, and, perhaps, has done more towards introducing and promoting this high grade breed of draft horses in this section of the State than any other man. Mr. Brown was united in marriage November 26, 1873, to Miss Ella E. Eastman, daughter of Lycurgus and Rebecca L. (Humphries) Eastman, the father a native of New Hampshire and the mother of Massachusetts. Lycurgus Eastman was a wheel-wright in early life in his native State, and in 1834, went to Illinois where he followed his trade for a time. Later he engaged in farming and stock raising in which he was successful, and in later life retired and removed to Griggsville, Ill., where he died. He was an unright[sic] citizen, and lived a consistent Christian life. He was a member of the Baptist church for sixty-two years, twenty-five years of which he was a deacon, and superintendent of Sunday school. He died November 18, 1898, aged ninety-one years, and his wife died in January, 1901. Mrs. Brown was born in Pike county, Illinois, and was educated in the district schools and the Ringsville High School, and taught school for a time before her marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Brown have been born six children: Alice E., born April 28, 1875, married R. C. Jackman, farmer, Strawn, Kans., and they have one child, Elsie Elizabeth; Richard Eastman, born November 3, 1877, farmer in Jackson county, married Anna May Edds; Jane Rebecca, born June 1, 1881, married Jesse E. Higby, who conducts a garage at Whiting, and they have one child, Marjorie Alice; Mary Elsie, born March 2, 1883, married James W. Martin, traveling salesman, Topeka, Kans., and they have two children, Dorothy Virginia and Mary Lucile; Edith Ella, born April 8, 1885, resides at home, and Elizabeth Jane, born April 25, 1887, married Dr. Raymond S. Love, who is connected with the People's Hospital, Chicago, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are members of the First Baptist Church, of Whiting, with which they have been identified since coming to Kansas. In 1900, Mr. Brown was elected Sunday school superintendent, and has served in that capacity to the present time. He has also been a trustee of the church for twenty-five years, and is a member of the choir, and for a number of years has been choir leader. He takes a deep interest in church affairs, and has always given liberally to the support of the church, and it has been said, that he is the largest contributor to the church of which he is a member. He is a close student of the Bible and a faithful follower of its teaching. Mr. Brown is a strong advocate of good schools and for over twenty-four years has been a member of the school board. He was one of the organizers of the Farmer's State Bank of Whiting, and has served as vice-president of that institution since its organization. He is a Republican and has always consistently supported the policies and principles of that party, and takes a prominent part in local policies. His fraternal affiliations are with the time honored Masonic lodge.