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Brown, William Guy (1800-1884)
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Men of West Virginia, Volume II
Biographical Publishing Company
George Richmond, Pres.: C. R. Arnold, Sec'y and Treas.
Chicago, Illinois, 1903

Pages 719-720

HON. WILLIAM GUY BROWN.— The branch of the Brown family from which
descended the late William Guy Brown, lawyer and legislator, and a
most venerated resident of Kingswood, Preston County, West
Virginia, originated in the vicinity of Edinburg, Scotland, and was
founded in northwestern Virginia by James Brown, in 1790.

William Guy Brown, the fourth son of James Brown, and subject of
this narrative, was born September 25, 1800. At the age of 21 years
he began the study of law, with Oliver Phelps and Joseph H.
Samuels, of Parkersburg, and was admitted to the bar of Preston
County, in 1823. Mr. Brown almost immediately entered politics,
finding in public life a congenial field. He was elected
prosecuting attorney of the county and served a number of years as
such, until 1832. He was a stanch adherent of Andrew Jackson and
ardently supported him three times for the Presidency. Mr. Brown
became the candidate of his party and was elected to the General
Assembly of Virginia, and served with distinction in 1832 and in
1840-41-42-43; and in 1845 was elected to Congress. He was one of
the first to raise his voice in favor of the war with Mexico and
contributed time and means to assist in its successful and
honorable consummation. In 1847 he was re-elected to Congress and
in 1850 was a delegate to the Virginia Constitutional Convention.
In 1861 he was a delegate to the convention at Richmond and was
fearless in his opposition to secession. Upon the organization of
the Restored Government of Virginia, Mr. Brown was chosen a
representative in the 37th Congress, and was the first member of
Congress from the Second Congressional District of West Virginia,
in 1863. After a long, active and useful life, he passed away at
his home in Kingwood. His last public services were during 1872-73,
when he served in the State Legislature and was a member of the
convention to revise the Constitution, in 1872.

Mr. Brown is survived by one son, William Guy, and his widow. The
former is one of the well known attorneys of Kingwood and has
efficiently held important public trusts.

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