Biography - George Brown
George W. BROWN, Jr., grain dealer, Butler, was born in Montgomery County, Ill., May 30, 1843; son of George W. and Sarah A. (JENKINS) BROWN, he born in Ohio July 9, 1819, a farmer by occupation, and coming to Illinois in 1836; she, a native of South Carolina, born June 30, 1819. They were the parents of six children. Our subject received his education in Hillsboro Academy. He came to Butler in 1865, and was employed as salesman by Joe Baum & Co. for two years, and in April, 1867, commenced business as a grocer, in the building known as Haywood's old stand. In a few months he and his brother, Charles O. BROWN, entered into partnership, constituting the firm of Brown & Bro. In the early part of the year 1869, they purchased the Haywood Building, and continued to do business in it until 1873. In 1871, they added to their stock dry goods and boots and shoes. In May, 1873, they purchased the McReynolds property, and moved their goods to this building, adding to their stock ready-made clothing, where they continued until April, 1881, when they sold their stock of goods to Hoes & Bro. In July, 1879, they commenced buying grain, to which business they now devote their entire attention. They have increased in business, and prospered greatly since their small beginning, until they now own 280 acres of excellent land, besides houses and lots in Butler, and an elevator at Hillsboro. They do a very extensive business, having handled in 1880-81 over 120,000 bushels of grain. January 4, 1865, Mr. BROWN was married to Miss Henrietta M. JUDSON, born in Newark, N. J., November 15, 1844, daughter of James P. and Elizabeth F. (GALE) JUDSON, natives of New Jersey. Six children have been born to Mr. BROWN - James Park, Winnie Pauline, Charles Judson, Frank Harold, Louis Sylvester and Roland Otis.
Extracted 20 Nov 2016 by Norma Hass from 1882 History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois, Part 2 Biographical Department, page 200.
