Brown, Joseph W., 1792-1880.

General; held positions in New York state militia, 1818-1824; chief justice of Lenawee County, Michigan Territory, 1826-1829; appointed colonel in Michigan militia in 1829; brigadier general of the 3rd brigade, Michigan militia, during the Black Hawk War in 1832; appointed major general of the 5th div. of Michigan militia, 1838; brigadier general of the Michigan State Guard, 1838; Regent of the University of Michigan, 1839.

From the description of General Joseph W. Brown papers, 1773-1882 (inclusive), 1818-1882 (bulk). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 702165905

General; held positions in New York state militia, 1818-1824; chief justice of Lenawee County, Michigan Territory, 1826-1829; appointed colonel in Michigan militia in 1829; brigadier general of the 3rd brigade, Michigan militia, during the Black Hawk War in 1832; appointed major general of the 5th div. of Michigan militia, 1838; brigadier general of the Michigan State Guard, 1838; Regent of the University of Michigan, 1839.

Joseph W. Brown, who was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, held positions in the New York State Militia by signed appointment of Governor DeWitt Clinton from 1818-1824. In 1826, he was appointed Chief Justice of Lenawee County, Michigan Territory, by Lewis Cass, followed by his appointment as a colonel in the Michigan Militia in 1829. He held several other positions during the 1830s, the chief one of which was Brigadier General of the 3rd Brigade, Michigan Militia, having been appointed by Andrew Jackson. General Brown was in charge of this brigade during the Black Hawk War of 1832. Although the conflict was limited to Illinois and Wisconsin, Brown issued many orders, including some which seemed contradictory. As a result, his troops were weary and unwilling to serve due to excessive marching and countermarching for no real purpose. At least one other general wanted him courtmartialed for incompetence. However, his associations with the "boy wonder" Governor Stevens Thomson Mason (1811-1843) undoubtedly prevented any action from being taken. Mason also appointed Brown Major General of the Fifth Division of the Michigan Militia {1838), Brigadier General of the Michigan State Guard (1838), and a Regent of the University of Michigan (1839). These positions followed Brown's leadership of Michigan forces in the so-called Toledo War, a boundary dispute with Ohio, of 1835-1836. The later years of Brown's life were spent in retirement.

From the guide to the General Joseph W. Brown papers, 1773-1882, 1818-1882, (Manuscripts and Archives)