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File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project
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Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County
Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890

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The Biography of Jacob BROWN 

Pages 275-276, transcribed in full by Danni Hopkins 

[Surnames: BROWN, CORNELL, LAMB, STRODE, WESTFALL] 

    
JACOB BROWN. The life of this gentleman, whose portrait is represented on the opposite page, and who is one of the wealthiest farmers of the county, furnishes a good lesson to youths who must begin their careers as he did, with no means. A perusal of the following paragraphs will indicate by what means he has conquered adverse circumstances, and gained his present proud position among his fellow-men. He is probably of Irish ancestry in the paternal line, as his grandfather Brown, who is known to have been a Revolutionary soldier, is believed to have been a native of the Emerald Isle. From his maternal ancestors Mr. Brown derives a capacity for hard work, rigid economy, and persistence which almost invariably characterize those of German lineage. 
    
Grandfather Brown is numbered among the early settlers of Ohio, where he followed farming until his death. There his son, George, the father of our subject, was born and reared, following in the fatherıs footsteps as a tiller of the soil. He held various local offices in the township in which he lived, was Democratic in politics, and quite radical in his views. At the time of his death, which occurred in Licking County, he was a member of the Presbyterian Church. He lived to the advanced age of four-score and ten years. His wife was Nancy Lamb, a native of Germany, who came to America with her parents when eighteen years old. She was living in Harrison County, Ohio, when married to Mr. Brown. She was a consistent member of the Methodist Church until her death, which occurred when she was seventy-one years old. She bore him twelve children, and reared eleven to maturity, namely: Rachel, Jane, Jackson, William, Susan, Jacob, Mary Ann, Nancy, Joseph, Sarah and Washington. 
    
The maternal grandfather of our subject was John Lamb, a German who emigrated to America when in middle life. He was almost penniless when he reached this country, but settled in Ohio, and industriously following a farmerıs life, accumulated considerable property. He lived to a ripe old age, honored and respected as a worthy citizen, and consistent church member. He and his wife were buried at Moorefield, Harrison County, Ohio. 
    
The subject of this biographical notice, was born February 24, 1826, in Harrison County, Ohio, reared on a farm, and spent his boyhood in home duties, and attending school. The building in which he pursued his studies, was a rude log schoolhouse with a large open fireplace, puncheon seats, a log cut out for a window, and no desk, but a slab fastened to the wall, and extending around the room for a writing table. Mr. Brown began life on his own account when of age, his first employment being farm work at $4 per month. After receiving those wages eight months, he was able to obtain $7 per month. In March, 1848, he came to this county via the rivers, landing at Havana with about $5 in his pocket. His capital was industry, and he soon found use for it with Nathan Strode, for whom he worked nine months at $13 per month. 
    
For three years after his arrival here Mr. Brown worked on farms by the day or month, saving $250 of his earnings, and becoming the possessor of a good horse besides. With the money he made the first payment on eighty acres of land on section 21, Isabel Township, getting seven yearsı time on the balance of the $700, at which the place was valued. Long before this time had expired he was able to pay off his indebtedness, and buy other property. He has purchased land from time to time until he now owns nearly twelve hundred acres, the greater part of which is under a high state of cultivation. His first residence was an 18x20 foot, one story frame, in which he lived until 1865, when he built his present mansion, one of the finest in the county. It also is a frame, well designed and finely built, the cost having been $4,010 in cash, besides the ownerıs own labor. Mr. Brown built his main barn in 1860, and at a later date erected two others and two granaries. He has farmed very extensively, and raised a great deal of stock, winning his greatest success in grain, wool, and hogs. 
    
Mr. Brown secured for his life companion, Miss Priscilla Cornell, between whom and himself marriage rites were celebrated August 23, 1853. Mrs. Brown was born in Meigs County, Ohio, October 26, 1834, and is a daughter of William and Mary (Westfall) Cornell. Both parents were born in Virginia, whence the mother went to Ohio with her parents in an early day. Mr. Cornell removed to the Buckeye State upon attaining his majority, and was one of the early settlers and farmers in Meigs County. He was a member of the Methodist Church, and a Republican in politics. Mrs. Cornell was also a Methodist. She died at the early age of twenty-four years, leaving three children‹Priscilla, Lydia J., and Richard. 
    
The family of Mr. and Mrs. Brown consists of ten children living, and one deceased: Thomas A. was born June 19, 1854; Mary E., June 17, 1856; Nancy E., March 11, 1858; George N., December 10,1860; William R., November 27, 1862; Robert E., December 24, 1864; Rosetta J., April 21, 1867; Harvey R. July 3, 1869; Calvin J., September 20, 1871; Harry M., June 7, 1874; Frederick A., April 19, 1880. Harry died May 25, 1888, in his fourteenth year. The mother of this interesting family is a member of the Methodist Church, has many friends throughout the community, and in home and social life has been useful in her day and generation. The father, honest in his dealings, intelligent, reliable and kindly, may well be considered one of the most worthy citizens of the county. He has held various local offices in his township, is interested in divers good works, and ready to bear such a part as he can in the progress of the country. Prior to the Rebellion, he was a Democrat, but since that time has been a Republican.