U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ -- USGenNet Inc. -- Please read the U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on the following page: --------------------------------------------------------------------- Brown, Charles Newton (b. 1867) --------------------------------------------------------------------- A History of Preston County West Virginia Biographical Department, Supplied by J. R. Cole Kingwood, W. Va., The Journal Publishing Company, 1914 by H. S. Whetsell Pages 752-755, CHARLES NEWTON BROWN, M. D. Among the practitioners of medicine in Preston county in former years. Dr. Ashford Brown, father of Dr. C. N. Brown, whose name is still revered by many of the older inhabitants of the county, because of his many good qualities both as a man and as a successful physician is deserving of special mention. As a representative of that old family, Dr. C. N. Brown falls heir to the high esteem and the confidence of the public generally, who knew something of the hardships of the pioneer physician's life, and of the many interesting episodes in Dr. Ashford Brown's professional career. The family are descended from Thomas Brown, who was born in Prince William county, Virginia, September 7, 1760, and who was a soldier in George R. Davidson's (Harrison Co.) Company in the War of 1812. He died in Preston county, in 1844. His widow drew a pension. In 1805, he removed with his family to what is known as "The Glades" near Reedsville. He and Colonel John Fairfax with their families, and a number of slaves, were on their way to Lexington, Kentucky, but on account of the hostility of the Indians were compelled to abandon their trip. Hence their settlement in "The Glades." It was here Thomas Brown became the owner of a tract of land, containing 578 acres, upon which he spent the remainder of his days engaged in the arts of husbandry, and where he died at an advanced age, in 1844. By his wife, Ann Ashe, he reared a large family of whom Samuel Brown, the grandfather of Dr. Charles N., was the third son. He was born in Prince William county, October 24, 1793, and was but twelve years of age when his father came to the county of Preston. Reared upon a farm, his early training was along a line that led naturally to the avocation of an agriculturist and stock raiser and dealer. He first followed this business near Evansville, in Preston county, but, in 1833, removed to Clinton Furnace in Monongalia county, where he became the owner of a couple of farms, and accumulated a fair competency prior to his death, which occurred in 1859, having returned to Preston county in 1841. He was not a member of any church, although inclined to a support of the dogmas of Presbyterianism, and was a strictly moral man, upright and honest in all his dealings with his fellow man. His marital union with Parmelia Zinn, a lady of German origin, resulted in the birth of eleven children, of whom Dr. Ashford was the oldest. The others in order of age are: Lycurgus, deceased, who was a soldier for three years in defence of the Union, during the Civil War; Clarissa B., wife of George Steyer, of Oakland, Maryland; William and Granville members of Co. E., 17th Regiment Infantry, the latter the Lieutenant of the Company. The names of the others were Amelia, Ruhama, Sarah Ann, Elizabeth, Loretta and Marcella J. Dr. Ashford Brown was reared upon the farm, and received a good English education in the subscription schools. He taught school for a time, and at the age of twenty-two began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. William J. Bland. After remaining two years under his preceptorship, he entered the Starling Medical College, of Columbus, Ohio, but was compelled on account of failing health to leave the college. In 1848, he entered upon the practice of medicine, first locating near Gladesville, where he continued very successfully until 1865, having been very thoroughly prepared for his chosen profession. From 1865 to 1878, he practiced at Independence, and then removed to Webster where he still continued the practice of his profession until his death, which occurred June 15, 1906. Dr. Brown was a careful, painstaking physician, qualities which combined with good judgment and a sympathetic nature built him up an enviable practice. He never allowed the duties of his profession to narrow his field of action, but took an active interest in religious and political matters also. He was a deacon in the Baptist church for twenty-five years, and active worker for the cause of Republicanism, December 2, 1849, Dr. Brown married Sarah E., daughter of Wick Johnson, a prominent merchant of Preston county. Twelve children were born of this union, three dying when in infancy. Clarissa, William and Adaline died in childhood. Edna died young. Dexter B. died in boyhood. Loverna Parmelia, who died in July, 1894, was the wife of W. D. Prim. Parmelia E., died in childhood. Charles N., the subject of this sketch and Frank C, agent for the United States Express Company, the youngest of the family. Dr. Charles Newton Brown was born in Independence, Preston county, January 16, 1867. He attended the public schools of his native county, and supplemented them with a good preliminary education in the Normal School at Fairmont and the University of West Virginia at Morgantown. He then entered upon the study of medicine in the office of his father at Webster. After having been carefully instructed in the rudiments of medicine under his father, he took instruction also under Dr. Lanham Brown, whose wise counsels fitted him still more for a course of lectures in the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Baltimore, where he attended during the sessions of 1891, 1892, 1893 and 1894. He completed the course at the University of Louisville, Ky., and then located at Webster, West Virginia, where he practiced his profession until 1911, when he moved to Reedsville, where he is now in pursuit of a large and lucrative practice. Dr. Brown is a close student, and in love with his chosen profession. In 1907, he supplemented all previous courses of study with a post- graduate course at the Louisville Medical College. His success in the treatment of some singular cases has enabled him to contribute articles of value to the profession for publication in medical journals, and he has written several articles that have been read before the State Medical Society, of which he is a member. He is a charter member of the Taylor County Medical Society, and a member of the Harrison County Medical Society and American Medical Association. Professionally, Dr. Brown stands as high as he does socially, and in that particular no man and his family in the county is more highly esteemed than they are. Dr. Brown is also a musician. His natural taste for music led him into the study of harmony under some of the best instructors in the country, and he has written some pieces of singular worth and beauty. His love for the medical profession and the high sense of duty he owes to his clientele forbid much attention to music; otherwise, had he not been a successful physician, he would have been a successful musician. He plays the cornet well and taught and organized a band of music which was named in his honor, "Brown's Concert Band." On September 2, 1903, Dr. Brown was married to Miss Eva D., daughter of William and Sadie (Limbers) Keane, of Grafton, West Virginia, and to this union were born three children: William Byrne, born August 2, 1904; Evelyn Charlene, born June 11, 1906; Charles Samuel, born June 18, 1911. There is a singular sweetness of character and kindliness of nature permeating this home not found around every hearthstone. The mother herself, a charming woman, is an educated lady, and superintendent of the Presbyterian Sabbath School at Reedsville. In Christian work she is best known to the general public. Both the parents are very sympathetic and very charitable, give and spend freely, and in return seem to receive as freely as they give, which proves the old Bible adage a true one. --------------------------------------------------------------------- If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access other biographies for Preston County, WV by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/wv/preston/bios.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------