Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 593 - 594 

HENRY H. DROWN engaged in the hardware business on East Oak street, Wichita, on the 27th of September, 1887. He had become a resident here in December previous, and the same month purchased a house and two lots at the intersection of North Market and Oak streets, and has since built a store between Market and Main streets. He now has under way two other stores on Oak street, and in addition to his hardware business has been largely engaged as a dealer in real estate.

            Mr. Drown, a native of Ohio, was born in Seneca County, Sept. 29, 1839, and is the son of Solomon and Fanny (Denis) Drown, natives of Maine. Solomon Drown left New England in 1835, and subsequently became one of the most extensive farmers of Seneca County, Ohio. He made a specialty of fine horses and attained an enviable reputation for his success as a trainer and breeder. He there spent the remainder of his days, his death taking place in 1857. The mother of our subject departed this life in Clyde, Ohio. Solomon Drown by a former marriage had become the father of six children, and his second wife, Fanny, was the mother of nine children. Of the fifteen children nine are living, Henry H. of our sketch being the youngest son.

            Mr. Drown of this history was reared at the farm in Seneca County, Ohio, and when twenty-three years of age was married and took up his residence in Green Springs, Ohio, where he was engaged as a real-estate dealer, and also purchased and sold largely both wool and stock. In 1869 he crossed the Mississippi into Marshall County, Iowa, where he was engaged in the hardware business two years. The results not being entirely satisfactory he returned to Green Springs and embarked in his old business, which he followed successfully until coming to Wichita.

            The wife of our subject was in her girlhood Miss B. H. Stephens, and their marriage was celebrated at the home of the bride in Erie County, Ohio, in 1863. Mrs. Drown is the daughter of Alexander and Jessie (Grant) Stephens, natives of Scotland. Mr. S. was a mechanic, and crossed the ocean when a young man, settling in Canada, but three years later returned, and was married upon his native soil in Dundee. Later he came with his young wife to America. They resided in New York City two years, and from there, in 1843, removed to Ohio. They became the parents of six children, and Mr. Stephens departed this life in 1869. The mother resides at Green Springs, Ohio. The other children are all deceased, Mrs. Drown being the only survivor of her family.

            Mr. and Mrs. Drown have three children living -- Minnie M., Jessie G. and Elmer L. One daughter died July 19, 1887, at the age of nineteen years, Myrtle F., the youngest. Minnie M. and Jessie are graduates of the Union School at Green Springs, Sandusky Co., Ohio, and also of the business department of Green Springs Academy, a branch of the Adelbert, of Cleveland. Myrtle also was a graduate of the Union School at Green Springs, and while living in Ohio was a member of the W. C. T. U. She was highly intelligent and accomplished, and commenced teaching when sixteen years of age. Minnie M. taught when eighteen years old, and Jessie G. whan seventeen. Mr. and Mrs. Drown are prominently connected with the Presbyterian Church, and Mr. B. belongs to the Masonic fraternity. He votes the straight Republican ticket.

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