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Francis D. Brown, deserves much more than passing
mention in the present volume, as one who has been intimately and
worthily identified with the county's progress and advancement from an
early period. He was born in Lauderdale County, Ala., March 27, 1837, a
son of Frank and Cynthia (Butler) Brown, the former of whom died in
1852, and the latter when our subject was a child. The father was a
successful farmer, and moved from Alabama to Illinois, thence to Clark
County, Ark., in 1842, where both he and wife died. He was a Democrat
politically. They were the parents of a large family of children, the
subject of this sketch being among the younger, five of whom are still
living. the subject of this sketch was reared in this county. remaining
at home until his father's death, and then started out in life for
himself, as a farmer. He continued to farm for some time, then entered
the mercantile business in the employ of J. A. Smith, at Gurdon, with
whom he was connected in business until Mr. Smith's death, and on the
organization of the Smithton Lumber company was elected vice-president
of that concern. In 1859 he was elected justice of peace, serving in
that capacity until the outbreak of the war. When Smithton post -
office was established, he was appointed postmaster, and served for
about one year. When he started out in life he was without means, but
by attending strictly to business, he soon gained a competency; the
close of the war found him again without means, but by energy, industry
and good management he is now the owner of a fine farm, well improved,
bordering the town of Gurdon, and is still stockholder in the Smithton
Lumber Company. In 1861 he enlisted in Company E, Thirty Third Arkansas
(Confederate) Infantry, serving as lieutenant until the close of the
war, and participating in the following battles: Prairie Grove, Jenkins
Ferry, Pleasant Hill, and in battles of lesser note. In 1853 he married
Miss Lourena Neel, daughter of Robert and Mary B. Neel, born May 22,
1838, by whom he has five children living, vis.: Martha C. (wife of M.
A. Culp, a farmer in this county), Fannie E. (married J. F. Harris, a
farmer in this county, now deceased; she is living with her father),
Louisa T. (married B. Culp, a farmer in this county), Thomas C., and
John (are living at home). three are dead, namely Mary, Arminda E., and
Melissa. Mrs. Brown is a member of he Missionary Baptist Church. Mr.
Brown is a Mason and is one of the prominent and substantial men of the
county. |