Henry Barnett Brownell
The gentleman whose name heads this paragraph is widely known as one of the honored citizens of Washington C. H., Ohio. He has lived here all his life and for a number of years has been identified with the commercial interests of this community.
Henry Barnett Brownell, member of the old and well-known firm of C. H. Brownell & Sons, was born in Wasliington C. H., Ohio, on September 3, 1869. His parents, Charles Henry and Ruth (Barnett) Brownell, were natives of New York state, and they were the parents of four children: Lucy Richmond Brownell; John D., who died in infancy; Henry B., the immediate subject of this sketch, and Charles Herbert, the business partner of the subject. Charles Henry Brownell was born in Chautauqua county. New York. but left there in young manhood. For a few years he engaged in teaching school and then settled at Chillicothe, Ohio. There he met her who became his wife and they were married in her old home at North Hoosic, Rensselaer county. New York. On April 29, 1862, they came from Chillicothe to Washington C. H.. and here Mr. Brownell engaged in the egg and poultry business, on a small scale. He was successful in that enterprise and soon after the war his brother, David Sherman Brownell, became associated with him. This partnership was dissolved by the death of David in 1892. The brothers were also in the retail grocery business for ten years, from 1872 to 1882, when it was discontinued, but the poultry and egg business is still in active operation, as it has been for a period of fifty-two years, having long been known as the leading firm in the specific line in this section of the country. The business has enjoyed a steady and healthy growth and now three large buildings are employed in the local plant. The firm runs a store in Columbus, Ohio, one in Boston, Massachusetts, and also has close connections with a large establishment in Newark, New Jersey.
Reverting to the subject's ancestral record, it is noted that the paternal grandparents, David and Thankful (Brownell) Brownell, were natives of New York state and of English descent. They both died in Chautauqua county, New York, he at an advanced age and she in middle life. They had nine children. Prudence Jane, Lucinda. Benjamin, Charles Henry, Simeon, David Sherman, Harriet and Huldah. The maternal grandparents, John and Jerusha (Sweet) Barnett. were also natives of New York, though of Scotch-Irish descent. They were farming folk, and they died in Rensselaer, when quite old. They had a large family, namely: Smith, Esther, Sarah, Nathaniel, Mary, Ruth, George, Deborah, Betsey, Alphia and two who died in infancy. The subject's father died on July 9, 1902, aged sixty-seven years. He is survived by his widow, who is now nearly eighty years old. They both affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church, to which they were ever faithful.
Henry B. Brownell. the immediate subject of this review. was reared in Washington. C. H., securing his elementary education in its public schools. He then attended Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio, where he was graduated in 1890. He then entered the employ of his father in the egg and poultry business and, upon the death of his uncle, David S., his father's partner, he was made a member of the firm and has from that time given his attention unremittingly to the development of the business. His brother, Charles H., is now a member of the firm, which is still conducted under the old firm name of C. H. Brownell & Sons.
Politically, Mr. Brownell is a supporter of the Republican party and has served two terms as a member of the city council and a term as a member of the board of education. Religiously, he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a steward and an active worker.
On the 5th day of January, 1898. Mr. Brownell was married to Caroline Heltman, who was born in Ashland. Ohio, the daughter of William G. and Mary (Rebman) Heltman. To this union have been born six children, Ruth Heltman, David Sherman, Mary Helen, Portia Heltman, Henry Barnett and Alice Heltman.
Mrs. Brownell's parents are natives of Ohio and are now residing in Ashland. They have seven children living, J. Halleck, Mary Ellen, Emma, Caroline, Frank, George and Golda. Mrs. Brownell's paternal grandparents, Joseph G. and Catherine (Goldman) Heltman, were natives of Germany, while her maternal grandparents, John and Fannie (Houseman) Redman, were natives of Pennsylvania, though of German descent.
From History of Fayette County Ohio - Her People, Industries and Institutions by Frank M. Allen (1914, R. F. Bowen & Company, Inc.)