Brown, James S. (James Stephens), 1828-1902

Utah pioneer and missionary for the Mormon Church.

Mormon pioneer and missionary. James Stephens Brown was born in 1828 and died 1902.

Arizona pioneer, head of the Mormon mission to the Navajo Indians in Arizona (1875-1876).

Mormon pioneer and missionary. James Stephens Brown lived from 1828 to 1902.

James Stephens Brown (1828-1902) was born 4 July 1828, in Davidson County, North Carolina, to Daniel Brown and Elizabeth Stephens. He became a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) and was baptized in 1844. He joined the as they were being driven from Illinois. After Brown arrived on the Missouri river he joined the Mormon Battalion and marched to California. In 1847 he was discharged and he and others of the Mormon Battalion found employment with a Mr. Sutter on the Sacramento River, where they discovered gold. In 1848 he arrived in Salt Lake Valley; he was ordained a Seventy and became a member of the third Quorum of Seventy. In the fall of 1849 he was called on a mission to the Society Islands, where he experienced several dangerous hardships. After a time in the Society Islands he was expelled by French authorities. He returned to Utah, and was for a number of years closely associated with Indian missions. 23 September 1862, he returned to Salt Lake City after having filled a successful mission to Great Britain. Soon after his return he met with a severe accident, losing one of his legs, and was thus maimed for the remainder of his days. Although Brown had a very limited education he was said to be an interesting speaker and spent much of his time lecturing in different parts of the Territory. In 1892-1893 he filled another successful mission to the Society Islands. In 1898 he was invited to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the discovery of gold in California; being one of the original discoverers, he was made a guest of honor. Brown married four wives. His first wife was Lybia Jane Tanner. The names of her children were Lybia J., Rachel Elizabeth, Emeretta, James T., Zina May, August, and Valentine. He then married Rebecca Ann McBride in September 1854; the names of her children were Deseret, Daniel, Alveretta, Vantile Mac, Burtina, Pauline, Homer, and Alphonso. O 31 January 1863 he married Elia Lester; she bore him nine children, their names were Leo, Zimania Wilford, Elando, Annie Eliza, Frank Lester, Charles, Sarah-Emma, and Ada. He married Elizabeth Clegg, his last wife, on 4 March 1872; her children were Mary Lillious, Gaurdello, Mark C., Benjamin Joseph, Louetta, and Myrtle J. At his death Brown was survived by three of his wives and twenty-one of the above named children. Brown died 25 March 1902, at his home in Salt Lake City, leaving a large posterity. Before his death he wrote an interesting sketch of his life which was published under the title Life of a Pioneer, being the Autobiography of James S. Brown, in which the details of Brown's life are depicted.

Mormon missionary, author, and pioneer.