September 20, 1866

BROWN, WILLIAM - The Last One of the First Settlers in Troy, Has Passed Away - Mr. William Brown, did Sept. 16th, 1866, after a painful illness of several weeks, having almost completed his eighty-second year. He was a native of Little York, Penn; born Sept. 23d, 1784. Mr. Brown came to Ohio and settled in Troy in 1807, and was among the few first families who became the permanent residents of this place, and for nearly sixty years, abode in the same house in which he died. He was a man of many excellent traits of character; his, indeed was "a good name"--industrious, temperate honest, social, patriotic, humane, he secured the respect and friendship of those who knew him. The ready testimony of those who knew him best, is that he was a good and true man, conscientiously devoted to the right. For thirty-one years he held an important office of trust in Miami County, and maintained throughout an inflexible integrity. In the home and with his friends, Mr. Brown was of remarkable affection and tenderness and happy must he have been who for a half century in the same community maintained an unblemished career, among his fellow citizens. Father Brown was also a man of decided religious principles and deportment--he was not so much a man of this world as to be indifferent to the world to come. He remembered his God in early life, and on the moral and religious basis he built up the edifice of character. He was a man of prayer, a student of the Bible, an observer of the Sabbath, an attendant upon the services of public worship, and ever ready to assist in promoting the cause of Christ and the enterprises of the Church, of which he was a member over thirty years. During the last months of his stay on earth, "as the weary wheels of life moved slower and slower," under the weight of disease and increasing infirmities, and when he often suffered much, he was calm, cheerful and hopeful--God's word was precise, to him--he spoke freely and clearly to his friends of spiritual things, of his faith in Jesus Christ, of his passage over the river of death, and of his earnest expectation of a home in "the house not made with hands," he often uttered exultant words in prospect of heaven.

No cloud dimmed his upward way;

At eve with him it was light.

Thus our venerable and honored friend descended to the grave. "He is gathered to his fathers like a ripe shock of corn in his season." His life long career is a beautiful record, and a rich legacy to his children and children's children, even to the fourth generation--and long may the remembrance of his virtues be cherished in the minds of those whom he has lift to sorrow "but not without hope."

September 22, 1866 

BROWN, MR. WILLIAM - Communicated - "Memoir." - The last of the first settlers in Troy, O., has passed away.  The life of Mr. William Brown commenced amid the scenes of a departed country; his history is a link between the past and present.  He was born in Little York, Penn., September 23d, 1784, and "died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years."  September 16th, 1866, having attained the age of four score and two years.  Mr. Brown came to Ohio in 1807, and settled in Troy, where he has lived nearly sixty years.  He was a pioneer man and took his place among the laborious, self-sacrificing men who turned the western forests into fruitful fields, and beautiful towns.  Mr. Brown was a man of noble traits; he was industrious, temperate, honest, social, patriotic, and humane, and secured the respect of all who knew him.  For thirty-one years he filled the office of Treasurer of Miami County, and then resigned having maintained a course of inflexible integrity.  In his domestic and social life our venerable friend was affectionate, genial and easy, and for even a half century he walked among his friends and fellow citizens with an unblemished character.--Father Brown was also a man of religious principle and deportment.  He remembered his duty toward God, and considered the interests of his soul, and on the moral and religious basis he built up the edifice of an excellent character.  He was a man of prayer, a student of the Bible, as observer of the Sabbath, an attendant upon the services of worship, ever ready to aid in the promotion of the cause of Christ, and the enterprises of the Church.  He was a member of the M. E. Church for more than thirty years.  During the last months of his stay on earth and as the weary wheels of life moved slower and slower under the weight of disease and increasing infirmities, and when he often suffered much, he was constantly resigned, and hopeful.  God's word was his great delight.  He spoke freely and full of interest to his friends of his faith in the Savior and his expected victory over death.  He rejoiced with joy unspeakable in the hope of immortality.

                                                                "No cloud dim'ed his upward way,"

                                                                "At eve with him it was light."

He is gathered to his fathers, like a ripe shock of corn in his season.  His life-long career is a bright record, and a rich legacy to his children, and children's children to the fourth generation.  Long may his many virtues be cherished in the minds of those whom he has left behind.

                                                  "For he is at rest, among the holy and the blest."                       T. C.  

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