Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Biographical History of Cherokee County, Iowa W. S. Dunbar & Co., Chigago - 1889 [page 408-409] P. N. BROWN, dealer in building material, lumber, and coal, Marcus, Iowa, has been identified with the interests of Cherokee County since the autumn of 1872. He was born in Hastings County, Canada, March 19, 1842, and is the son of ELIAS and MARY (RUTTAN) BROWN. He is the eighth of a family of twelve children, and was reared in his native county to farm life, receiving his education in the common schools. Mr. BROWN was married in Canada to Miss SARAH ANN LAWRENCE, a daughter of DANIEL LAWRENCE, Esq. She was also a native of Canada, and immediately after their marriage they removed to the State of New York, and located at a town named Adams; there they remained three years, during which time our subject devoted himself to the carpen- ter's trade and other enterprises. He then removed to Syracuse, New York, and for nine years he followed carpenter work, when he removed to Cherokee County, Iowa. He came in advance of his family, and made preparations for their home. He at once went to work at his trade, which he has since followed, at the same time contracting and build- ing. He resided in the town of Cherokee for nine years, and in the fall of 1881 he removed to Marcus and opened a lumber yard in part- nership with HENRY LUGE; this firm ceased to exist at the end of one year, Mr. Brown buying the entire business. In the fall of 1882 he added coal to his stock; he handles everything in the building mater- ial line, carrying a stock of $5,000. He does an annual business of $20,000, and has been very prosperous in all his enterprises. He owns eighty acres of improved land in Marcus Township, and several pieces of town property. Mr. and Mrs. BROWN are the parents of seven chil- dren, two of whom survive ===========================================================================