William W. Brown

SOURCE: "History of Champaign County, Illinois with Illustrations," 1878

SURNAMES: BROWN, WILLIAMS, ROBINSON

WILLIAM W. BROWN - Among the loyal and upright citizens of Champaign county is the subject of this sketch, William W. BROWN. He was born in Vermillion county, Indiana, April 26th, 1829. His father, Henry BROWN, was a native of the same state, and his mother, Sela (WILLIAMS) BROWN, of Tennessee. His youth was passed in Vermilion county, Illinois, where he enjoyed only such advantages as were to be had in those days. He was of an observing and inquiring disposition, and has gleaned a large fund of practical and general information. In 1845 he removed to Sangamon county, in this state, where he engaged in farming operations. In the spring of 1846, just after the trouble with Mexico had culminated in war, he was among the first to offer his services to his country. He enlisted in Company A, Fourth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and proceeded with his regiment to the seat of war. He remained in the army one year, when he returned home and resumed his former occupation of farming. In 1848 he married Miss Almira ROBINSON, who is a native of this state. By this union they have six children, five of whom are dead. Mary E., the only surviving one, is now residing with her parents. In 1851 Mr. Brown removed to Champaign county. He still pursued his old avocation of farming until 1856, when he was elected constable in Mahomet, which office he continued to fill until 1861. In that never-to-be-forgotten year began the memorable struggle that resulted in obliterating the only foul blot on the fair name of the republic. The emancipation of thousands of human beings, and whose slavery and degradation was a gigantic lie upon the face of a great and free nation, it is to be hoped has removed the only cause for sectional strife and hatred in our midst. Immediately on the breaking out of hostilities Mr. BROWN proceeded to raise a company of volunteers, of which he was elected captain. The company not having the required quota, another was raised, and Mr. BROWN was elected 1st lieutenant. He remained with his regiment two years, sharing with it all the dangers and difficulties of a soldier's life. He was at the expiration of that time, by reason of physical disability, discharged. Upon his return home he was elected justice of the peace in Mahomet, which position he filled three years, when he moved to Newcomb township, and was elected to the same position. He again moved to Mahomet, and was re-elected to his former office, which he still continues to fill. He is a good citizen, and one who has demonstrated his loyalty and devotion to his country by participating in two wars for her aggrandizement and preservation. He has secured and retains the confidence and respect of his fellow-citizens by strict adherence to principles of veracity and integrity.