Indian Wars and Pioneers of Texas Page: 828 of 894
762 p., [172] leaves of plates : ill., ports. ; 30 cm.View a full description of this book.
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714
INDIAN WARS AND PIONEERS OF TEXAS.
mense amount of good before the summons came
for him to cease his labors.
Col. Brown was debarred from active military
service during the war by reason of the fact that he
was purchasing agent in Mexico for the Confederate
States government and the further fact that he
was president of an important railway line. During
the E. J. Davis reconstruction period he, with
other well-known and influential business men, composed
the Board of Aldermen of Galveston, appointed
by the Governor. Out of their private
funds they bridged the city over and placed it in a
condition to recover the ground it had lost by reason
of a siege of disaster.
Later business enterprises inaugurated by Col.
Brown embraced the First National Bank of Galveston,
of which he was president for many years.
lie planned the bank building and superintended
its erection.
About ten years ago he was elected president of
the Galveston Wharf Company. Years prior to that
time he became identified with the interests of the
company, and his keen business judgment pointed
out to him certain improvements which he thought
the business of the company required, and which
would be a paying investment. He agitated, and
recommended, and contended for the improvements,
which have since been made along the wharf
proper, but he failed to enlist the enterprise of his
associates with his line of thought, and then, it is
said, his enthusiasm reached such a pitch that he
proposed to lease the entire property at an annual
rental to be fixed by a board of appraisers for a
term of fifty or one hundred years, and during that
time he proposed to put into effect his plans, which
subsequently were given effect. When he became
president of the company he secured sufficient ifliuence
to carry out his ideas and to inaugurate the
system of improvements he had so long contended
for, and Galveston is now said to have as fine
wharf improvements as are to be found anywhere
in this country.
He was a moving spirit in the Galveston Gas
Company, the Galveston Electric Light Company,
the bagging factory, and he filled the position of
chairman of the construction committee which had
in hand the difficult task of bringing to perfection
the splendid system of waterworks of Galveston.
In business Col. Brown displayed splendid executive
force. He was a good judge of human nature,
and rarely made a mistake in selecting his lieutenants
for business undertakings. His judgment was
quick and unerring, going into the most minute details
of an enterprise.
Personally he was a man of strong likes and dislikes.
He often said that he did not make money
to hoard it, but desired to surround his family with
comforts and advantages, and at the same time do
all in his power to make those around and about
him happy. He never turned his back on the needy.
His private charities will never be known. It is
said that he contributed at one time $5,000 for the
relief of the distressed after the great fire in Galveston,
but at the time nothing was known about
it, and perhaps this is the first time his contribution
has seen the light of public print. Many families
will miss his gifts this Christmas, and many will
drop a silent tear when they learn that their erstwhile
benefactor is no more. His contributions to
charity, it is said, are known only to his youngest
daughter, Miss Bettie, who shared his confidence to
a degree that marked the most tender companionship
between father and daughter. * * *
"Socially, Col. Brown was a gentleman of the
old Southern type. He was warm-hearted, courteous
and chivalrous. While his life was devoted
to business, in any social gathering he was always
at ease, and at his own home his hospitality was
unbounded. His love of home and family was a
strong trait in his character. For several years
five generations of the family have met in his home
at Christmas time and welded closer the sacred ties
of relationship, but all was changed on the eve of
the happy reunion which was looked forward to
again this year. The hand that had so often extended
the greeting of welcome was stricken pulseless
in death. He was the oldest living member of
the Knights Templar in Galveston, and he was an
early member of the Odd Fellows.
" His extensive relations in New York and his
successful business enterprises widened the scope
of his acquaintance and brought him in touch with
many leading men of the country. During the life
of A. T. Stewart he never went to New York without
calling on the merchant-prince, with whom he
enjoyed an intimate acquaintance.
"For over a year past Col. Brown's health had
been failing, and last February he left with his
daughter, Miss Bettie, and his son, Dr. M. R.
Brown, hoping to stay the disease. He returned
last October, and since then had been confined to
his home. He passed away peacefully, surrounded
by members of his immediate family.
" The funeral will take place from Trinity Church
at 11 a. m. to-day. The following pall-bearers are
requested to meet at the family residence: George
Sealy, Leon Blum, W. L. Moody, Nicholas Weeks,
W. S. Davis, George E. Mann, Charles L. Beissner,
C. O. C. Count, of New York, T. A. Stoddard,
of St. Louis, J. Fullar, of New York, O. G.
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Brown, John Henry. Indian Wars and Pioneers of Texas, book, 1880~; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth6725/m1/828/: accessed April 30, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Special Collections.