Barber County Kansas

The Barber County Index, August 2, 1916.

Wm. Brown Dead

Wm. Brown, one of the pioneers of the Sharon Valley, passed away at his home near Sharon, Monday morning. We were unable to secure an obituary for this week's publication. The funeral was held yesterday afternoon. Interment was made in the Sharon cemetery.

"Uncle Billy," as he was affectionately known in Barber county for a third of a century, was one of the best men we ever knew. He came to the new and unsettled country when it was in great need of aggressive citizens. He built up one of the best farms in the famous Sharon Valley and in his time was one of Barber county's wealthiest men. He assisted many of his neighbors in getting a start and was always in the front ranks in the developments of the county. Kindness, congeniality and friendship seemed to be inseparable elements in his makeup. During his long and useful life he practiced Christianity in his dealings with men and was the embodiment of honestly and integrity. He suffered many wrongs at the hands of unscrupulous people who had designs on his money and property, in his declining years, but he bore them, with his bodily affliction, patiently and uncomplainingly, and died as he had lived, with a conscience as clear as the sun's rays and passed into his eternal; heritage with the praise of mankind and the blessed benediction of his Master.

In the deep sense of reverence and saddened hearts, "Uncle Billie's" friends bow at his tomb but find comfort in the knowledge that he lived to great purposes and passed triumphantly into the unexplored land of Glory that awaits the Just.


Barber County Index, August 9, 1916

WILLIAM BROWN

William Brown was born in North Carolina, September 15, 1834, and died in Barber County, Kansas, July 31, 1916, aged 81 years, 10 months and 16 days.

When a child he removed with his parents to Golmer County, Georgia, where he grew to manhood.

He professed faith in Christ at an early age and united with the Baptist church. He lived a good upright christian life and was for years a teacher in the Sunday school and a loyal supporter of the church.

His early life was spent on a farm, except just prior to the Civil War when for four years he was employed on the railroad as a locomotive engineer.

He enlisted in the southern army and received a wound, but luckily one which did not penetrate the skull. He served in the army for three years and was made a captain before the close of the war.

After the war he returned to the farm and in July, 1865, was married to Elizabeth Tatum. To this union were born four children, three of whom survive. One died in infancy. His wife preceded him to the Glory World, she having died May 31, 1902.

Uncle Billie Brown as he was familiarly known throughout Barber county was for years prominent in church work and in very good cause, helping the poor and befriend in the needy.

In disposition he was always kind and cheerful, never speaking unkindly of anyone, but always seeing the good in others. He loved little children and they all loved him.

For the last few years of his life he made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Florence Lichlyter.

In October, 1915, he suffered a bad stroke of paralysis, since which time he has endured great suffering. He often prayed to be taken out of his suffering and he talked to the Lord constantly toward the last. He is survived by three children, Mrs. Florence Lichlyter, Dawson Brown, and James Brown, and eight grandchildren, besides a host of relatives and friends. Thus passeth a noble soul on to its reward.

The funeral services were held on Tuesday at 2:30 P.M. at the Enon Baptist church, with Rev. J. W. DeVault of Cherokee, Oklahoma, a former pastor, officiating, assisted by Rev. G. W. Robinson, an old friend of the family. His body was laid to rest beside that of his wife, Elizabeth, in the Sharon cemetery. A multitude of friends tender the bereaved family their deepest sympathy in this their hour of bereavement.


According to Confederate Burials in Kansas, William Brown was a Captain in the Army of Tennessee; he was born 15 September 1834 and died 31 July 1916.

 


Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!



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