Brown (Family : Brown, John Harrison, 1824-1890).

John Harrison Brown was born May 1, 1824 in Mt. Holly, Vermont. He spent his youth in New Hampshire, where he later taught school and studied law. In 1855 he moved to Shakopee, Minnesota, where he became the first school master of School District No.1 of Scott County (1855), was admitted to the bar in June, 1856 served as county attorney (1860-1861 and 1869-1870), served as a captain in the Civil War, and published a small newspaper called the Spy (1868-1870).

In 1871 Brown moved to Willmar, Minnesota, where he practiced law and started Willmar's first newspaper, the Willmar Republican (January 28, 1871). He served as Kandiyohi County attorney until 1875 when the governor appointed him the first judge of the 12th judicial district of Minnesota. Brown held this position until his death (January 20, 1890).

John Harrison Brown married Orissa M. Maxfield on February 5, 1850. Seven children were born to this marriage: Frank Kossuth, Horace W., Calvin Luther, Emilie Idella, Dorrie Fannie Sophia, Mattie Alzina, and Jennie Leona.

Calvin Luther Brown son of John Harrison and Orissa Brown, was born April 26, 1854, in Goshen, New Hampshire. The following year (1855) the family moved to Shakopee, Minnesota. Brown grew up in Shakopee and in 1871 moved with his family to Willmar, Minnesota. As a young man Brown taught school (1873-1874) and was a railway mail clerk on a route running between Winona and Marshall, Minnesota (1874-1875). In 1875 Brown decided to study law. He was admitted to the bar in 1876 and began his practice in Willmar. Brown moved to Morris, Minnesota in 1878, serving as prosecuting attorney for Stevens County (1882-1887).

In 1887 Brown introduced a bill in the Minnesota legislature that established the 16th judicial district, adjacent to his father's district, and was appointed district judge. He served in this position until his election as associate justice to the Minnesota Supreme Court in 1898. He was reelected to this position in 1904 and 1910. In 1912 Brown was elected chief justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court, a position he held until his death (September 24, 1923).

Calvin Brown married Annette Marlow on September 1, 1879. Four children were born to this marriage: Montreville Jay, Alice, Edna Marie, and Margaret Elizabeth.

Montreville Jay Brown was born June 13, 1884 in Morris, Minnesota, the son of Calvin Luther and Annette Marlow Brown. In high school he achieved recognition for his public speaking and athletic ability. He refused an appointment to West Point in 1902 and completed his education at the University of Minnesota instead.

Brown was admitted to the bar on June 11, 1909 and moved to Bemidji, Minnesota. He served as a Bemidji school board member, city attorney, and as a member of the Beltrami County draft board during World War I, a role he repeated in Ramsey County during World War II. He was elected Grand Master of the Minnesota Masons in 1933, a position held by his father in 1894 and his grandfather in 1887.

Brown was appointed assistant attorney general of Minnesota and moved to Minneapolis in 1918. He resigned from this position in 1923 and returned to private practice. He moved to St. Paul in 1926 where he lived and worked until his death (June 4, 1971).

Montreville Brown married Minnie Stinchfield on Nov. 19, 1910. Four daughters were born to this marriage, Alice Katherine, Louise Stinchfield, Margaret Annette, and Joanne Marie.

From the guide to the Brown family papers., 1848-1972 (bulk 1855-1920)., (Minnesota Historical Society)