The Gridley Harald
A GRIDLEY HOME BEREFT OF MEMBER
The death of Mrs. Myrtle E. Brown, wife of Supervisor Chas. E. Brown,
at her home in this place last Monday [May 14, 1906] at 12:30, removed
an estimable woman, whose life had been spent in the community and who
was universally respected.
Mrs. Brown was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Evans, and was born
in Gridley Oct. 25, 1874. Her girlhood and young womanhood were spent in
this place, and on January 29, 1895 she was married to Chas. H. Brown in
San Francisco. One child, a daughter, 10 years old survives her, as does
her husband, father and mother, one brother and one sister. Geo. E.
Evans and Mrs. Albert Stains both of Gridley.
Mrs. Brown had been ill of a pulmonary trouble for the past seven or
eight years, and of late her health had been very poor. The best of
medical skill was brought to her aid and she had every possible
attention, but the grip of her disease was too strongly fixed upon her
and recovery was impossible.
The funeral occurred from the home in Gridley Wednesday, May 16, at 2
p.m., and the interment took place in Live Oak cemetery.
. . .
Charles H. Brown, Prominent Butte Citizen, Dies at Home
Death yesterday morning at 6:30 o'clock claimed Charles Henry Brown,
53, at his home in Gridley. Brown for many years had been identified
with Butte county politics and had served as county supervisor and
assemblyman. Death came following years of failing health.
In the death of C. H. Brown Butte county loses one of its best
citizens. He was devoted and loyal to his community, to his friends and
to his family. A man of sound judgment and unimpeachable integrity, he
was widely recognized for his business ability, strength of character
and sound vision of life. He was genial and companionable and his
friendships wide and lasting, and these friends will sincerely mourn his
passing.
In State Many Years
Charles H. Brown was one of the leading cattle raisers, stockmen and
farmers of Butte county. His father, Pearley G. Brown, a native of Ohio
and also a stockraiser, brought his family to California in 1872, when
Charles H. was a baby. The father took up farming and the raising of
livestock, first at Lomo, later at Palermo, and still later at Biggs. A
few years later, while Charles was still a child, the father died.
The deceased attended school in the Lone Tree district and finished
at the public school at Biggs. He then began the livestock business. In
early days he was the youngest cattle buyer traveling out of San
Francisco. He was made foreman of the Reyman & Evans cattle ranch,
on the Ord place near Gridley, and afterward joined the company as a
partner. In 1909 and 1910 he leased over 20,000 acres of land and
carried on the cattle business himself on a large scale. At the time of
his death he owned two ranches, on which he raised fruit and grain, and
was a renter of other property.
Held Important Posts
For eight years Brown was a supervisor of Butte county, and for two
years of that time he served as chairman of the board. He was elected a
member of the assembly of the California legislature in 1916 and gave
active service for a term.
During his capacity as assemblyman Brown served on many important
committees and groups within the assembly organization. He was a member
of the committee on agriculture, drainage, swamps and overflowed lands;
irrigation, labor and capital; ways and means, and livestock and dairy.
During the World War he was a member of the Butte County Council of
Defense and was chairman of the community council at Gridley.
Brown is survived by the widow, Mrs. Marie Brown of Gridley, and a
daughter, by a former marriage, Mrs. E. F. Perkins of Berkeley.
The deceased was prominent in Masonic and Elk circles. He was made a
Mason in North Butte Lodge No. 290 at Gridley, and was a member of
Franklin Chapter No. 20, R. A. M., and the Oroville Commandery No. 5, K.
T. both at Oroville, and Islam Temple in San Francisco. He also was a
member of Marysville Lodge No. 283, B. P. O. E.
Funeral services will he head at the family residence in Gridley on
Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock and will be public, under auspices of
North Butte Lodge No. 230, F. & A. M., Past Commander T. J. Lang
officiating.
Burial will be in the Yuba City Mausoleum.
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Charles Henry Brown died at his home in Gridley yesterday morning
shortly after 6 o'clock.
Deceased was a native of Illinois, in which state was born July 31,
1871, his death occurring at the age of 63 years, 2 months and 20 days.
Mr. Brown had been in failing health for a number of years, being
afflicted with Brights disease and diabetes. During the past summer he
suffered a slight shock of paralysis, but recovered sufficiently to get
about and attend to his business. He had been in Chico on Saturday last.
At about 8 o'clock Saturday evening shortly after returning to his home,
he called his sister?in?law, Mrs. Nora Block, on the phone, and as he
hung up was stricken. His condition was regarded a serious from the
first and he continued to fail until his death yesterday morning.
Thus passed away in middle age perhaps the most prominent citizen of
Butte county, where he had lived the most of his life.
"Charlie" Brown, as he was known to everyone, will be missed
by his community and his county. He was in the best sense a public man.
During the war and at all times when the community had a task to perform
"Charlie" Brown was drafted first, and to his credit be it
said he never begged off; never was too busy; never was too tired,
though he had worked harder and had less sleep for a week than any of
the rest. He always helped and on most occasions led. He went straight
to the point and had small patience with mere talk.
Always a busy man, "Charlie" found time to serve his county
a supervisor for two terms, and later as assemblyman, declining to run
for re?election because of failing health. He gave the best he had in
his political work. He enjoyed the loyalty of his friends and the
respect of his enemies, for enemies of course he made in political
strife.
Everyone in the community considered "Charlie" Brown a
friend ??? even those with whom he might have differed in opinion. He
was a successful business man, starting as a boy with his youth and
strength and integrity as his sole capital. He was identified nearly all
his life with some branch of the stock industry ??? in cattle and hogs
and sheep, and of later years with mules. He maintained a large herd of
the latter for hire to contractors and he had been connected indirectly
in the construction work of many of the big projects of the state.
During the past few years he developed several orchards, the last
being on the river bottom ranch which the purchased some years ago.
Mr. Brown was twice married. His first wife was a daughter of the
late J. A. Evans and Virginia Evans, the latter still surviving. Mrs.
Brown died about eighteen years ago. One daughter was born to this union
??? Mrs. E. F. Perkins of Oakland. Mr. Brown's second marriage was to
Mrs. Marie Welch, who survives him.
The deceased was a member of the Masonic fraternity, and the funeral
which takes place tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock from the residence,
will be under the auspices of North Butte Lodge No. 230 F. & A. M.,
of Gridley, Past Commander T. J. Long officiating. The body will be laid
to rest in the mausoleum at Yuba City and an escort of Knights Templar
will accompany the remains. The funeral will be public.
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CHARLES H. BROWN
Former Assemblyman and Former Supervisor Charles H. Brown died at his
home in Gridley early yesterday morning. Death was immediately due to
paralysis, but followed an illness of years. During this long and trying
illness Mr. Brown's courage never faltered or failed.
The news of Mr. Brown's death was received with profound sorrow all
over Butte County. Few men in the county were better known. He had been
in active business in the county as a farmer and stockman for many
years. His reputation everywhere was that of a businessman of keen
ability and of absolute integrity.
Mr. Brown, served the Fourth District as supervisor for two terms. He
brought to the county the same keen business ability that had
characterized the conduct of his own affairs. He retired from office at
the close of his second term, but the ability with which he had
administered the affairs of the office had attracted such wide
attention, that in 1916 he was elected to represent the county in the
Assembly. He served one term there, retiring from political life after
his term there had expired.
Mr. Brown was an extensive property owner and took an active interest
both in community, county and state development. He was also active in
Masonic circles and was a member of Royal Arch, Knights Templar and the
Ben Ali Temple of the Mystic Shrine.
He was 63 years old, a native of Illinois. Surviving are the widow,
Mrs. Marie Brown, and one daughter, Mrs. Gladys Perkins of Oakland.
Funeral services will be held from the family residence in Gridley on
Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock and will be held publicly under the
auspices of the North Butte Lodge No. 230, F. and A. M. Past Commander
T. J. Land, officiating.
The internment will be to the Yuba City Mausoleum.
