Walter E. Brown of the law firm at Waggener, Challis and Crane and the present city attorney of Atchison is a native son of Kansas. He was born at Whiting, Jackson County, Kan. Nov. 17, 1887 and is a son of William E. and Martha W. (GILMORE) Brown, natives of Penn. William E. Brown, the father, came to Kansas with his parents in 1872 at the age of sixteen. He is a son of Michael Brown, a native of Ireland. The Brown family settled in Brown County, Kan., where the parents spent their lives.
In 1879 William E. Brown removed to Jackson County and engaged in the lumber business at Holton, where he is still an extensive lumber dealer and one of the substantial business men. To William E. and Martha W. (Gilmore) Brown were born three children, as follows: Walter E., the subject of this sketch, Bernice and Harold.
Walter E. Brown was reared in Holton and educated in the public schools graduating from the high school there. He then entered Kansas University, Lawrence, Kan., and was graduated in the class of 1909 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He then came to Atchison and became associated with the law firm of which he is now a member. Some few changes have taken place in the personnel of the firm of Waggener, Challiss & Crane within the last few years, but it substantially remains the same.
Mr. Brown is a Republican and since coming to Atchison has taken an active part in Political matters. He was elected city attorney in 1913 and reelected to succeed himself in 1915. He is a Knights Templar and Royal Arch Mason and a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Loyal Order of Moose and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Mr. Brown is a very capable attorney and has a wide acquaintance in northeastern Kansas.
Taken from:
History of Atchison County, Kansas
by Sheffield Ingalls - 1916
Submitted by:
Clemi Higley Blackburn, September 2000