William Baker Brown
William Baker Brown was born March 21, 1824, in Wayne Township. His father was James Brown, who came from Pennsylvania, as well as his grandfather of the same name. The latter was the second person interred in the Cherry Fork U. P. Cemetery. Our subject had two brothers and one sister. Jacob N. Brown was his brother. His other brother, James Reed Brown, died in Illinois at the age of thirty. His sister, Jane, married Samuel McClanahan, a nephew of the Judge. Our subject's mother's maiden name was Baker. Her father, Frederick Baker, came from Germany.
Mr. Brown obtained his education in the Public schools. As a boy, he was apprenticed to Samuel Clark to learn the tannery trade, and he worked at it for three years. He completed his apprenticeship and worked four years at the trade, between West Union and Unity, on the Samuel Clark place.
He was married on the twelfth of April, 1848, to Ellen Ralston, the adopted daughter of Thomas Huston. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have had seven children, of which six grew to maturity. Hermas C, the youngest, died in infancy. His children are as follows: James W. Brown, hardware merchant, residing at Washington C. H.; Henry H., a traveling salesman of the same place; Louis R., who resides in Starkville, Miss.; Newton Monroe, who resides at Unity; Margaret, who resides with her father, and Carey H., who resides in Kansas City, Mo. Mrs. Ellen Brown died January 29, 1883.
Mr. Brown went to Unity and started a store in 1850, also operated a grist and saw mill. In 1870, he left the store to his sons, James and Henry. He operated the mill till 1880, when he removed to West Union. His son, Carey H., is interested in a gold mine in New Mexico, but resides in Kansas City, Mo. Mr. Brown was elected Treasurer of Adams County in 1879, defeating Lily Robbins. In 1881, he was elected to the same office, defeating John Cluxton. In 1887, he was elected to the same office, defeating Stewart Alexander. He was renominated in 1889, but withdrew and P. N. Wickerham was elected. Mr. Wickerham, though of opposite politics, had Mr. Brown appointed Deputy Treasurer and he served as such under him from 1890 to 1894. From 1894 to 1897, he served as Deputy Treasurer under John Fristoe. In 1898, he was employed in the Auditor's office, and in September, 1899. he became Deputy Treasurer under H. B. Gaffin. He was Treasurer of Oliver Township from 1853 to 1876, continuously. He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church at Unity from 1850 and was made an elder in 1880. He has always been a Democrat. Mr. Brown is a man of the very highest integrity and enjoys the confidence, esteem and respect of all who know him.
From History of Adams County, Ohio from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time - by Nelson W. Evans and Emmons B. Stivers - West Union, Ohio - Published by E. B. Stivers - 1900