Death of J. A. Brown.

Joseph A. Brown died at his home on south Pearl street, Paola, Kansas, Saturday, January 1, 1916, at about 1 o’clock p. m. after an illness of two weeks with pneumonia. He had been a chronic sufferer with diabetes and had failed much the past three months, but was not considered to be dangerously ill until he was attacked by pneumonia.

Joseph Augustus Brown was born in Ashland co., Ohio, July 16, 1844, and would have been 72 years old next July. He was reared in that county and August 4, 1867, was united in marriage to Miss Mary J. Smith, to whom six children were born, two of whom died in infancy. Their son, James W. died in Paola August 19, 1904. The surviving children are Mrs. W. P. Gillam of Bacyrus, Ohio, Mrs. A. W. Rainey of Independence, Kansas, and Mrs. E. C. Haysler of Kansas City, Mo., all of whom were present when their father died. His wife died July 30, 1906. November 14, 1908, he was united in marriage to Miss Dyma Reed at Nevada, Ohio, who survives him.

Mr. Brown enlisted in the union army at Ashland, Ohio, June 11, 1861, in Co. G, 23d Ohio veteran volunteer infantry, Major William McKinley’s regiment. Hw was promoted to corporal, then to second sergeant. He was twice wounded in the battle of Antietam and was in the hospital at Washington six months on account of his wounds. He veteranized at Charleston, West Virginia, October 1, 1863, was detained at Charleston on special duty two years, from January, 1863, was captured at Kernstown, West Virginia, October 4, 1864, was held at Winchester two days and escaped by shooting three rebel guards and liberated three other union prisoners. He was mustered out at Cumberland, Maryland, July 26, 1865. Mr. Brown was a brave soldier and shirked no duty. He participated in thirty-three battles and had a remarkable army record, surpassed by few of the brave boys who enlisted for their country’s cause. He took great and considerable pride in the part he took to save the union and always had a deep interest since the war in all that concerned his comrades. He never failed to attend a Grand Army reunion or encampment when able to be present and took conspicuous part, singing patriotic songs and reciting patriotic poems and addresses, having a good voice and excellent delivery. He was commander of Leith Post, Grand Army of the Republic of Nevada, Ohio, and also McCaslin Post of Paola, holding other offices in the latter post and was always active in the meetings of the post and on Memorial Sunday and Decoration day and in all services in which the old soldiers took part. He seldom failed to attend the reunions of his old regiment and had a special veneration for his commander, Major, afterward President, William McKinley, and with his other comrades of that regiment was a member of the honor guard that escorted the body of their beloved President McKinley to its last resting place. He will be widely missed in this community and more especially by the rapidly diminishing body of veterans of the civil war.

Mr. Brown worked a short time in Kansas City at his trade as tinner, and having a vacation one day he came to Paola on an excursion that was run here in June 1885, to see the big gas well drilled in on the Westfall farm in Middle Creek-twp. While in Paola Mr. Brown went to the hardware store of S. D. Condon & Co., told Mr. Condon he was a tinner and a few days after his return to Kansas City Mr. Condon sent for him and he entered their employ. He was an expert mechanic, one of the very best who ever worked in this county, and did work almost everywhere in the county. Mr. Condon’s successors continued him in their employ until about two years ago, when he opened a shop for himself, in which he was kept busily employed until his recent illness. Several years ago he was severely injured by a fall from the roof on which he was working, which permanently injured his heath and shortened his life. He was a useful man in the community and his death is sincerely mourned. He was an Odd Fellow for many years, also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and for several other orders. The funeral was held Tuesday afternoon from the Methodist church, conducted by the pastor, Rev. Geo. W. Braden, A very large congregation was present, his old comrades especially being in evidence. The Odd Fellows had charge of the services at the grave. Taps have been sounded for Comrade Brown-the brave, patriotic soldier and citizen has gone to his long rest.

His sister, Mrs. Bell Fasig, of Dodge City, Kansas, was in attendance at the funeral. His brother, Jefferson Brown of Toledo, Ohio, was ill in bed and was unable to be here. Others from abroad who were here were A. W. Rainey and daughter, Miss Mary Rainey of Independence, Kans., his son, Gus Rainey of Kansas City, E. C. Haysler, Mrs. Philena Rainey and Mrs. J. A. Liggett of Kansas City, and Mrs. Brown’s sister and husband. Nathan Baum and wife of Bucyrus, Ohio.