Elsie Melissa Brown was born on May 3, 1897 in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Her grandfather, William H. Brown became the first mayor of Grand Forks in 1881. Besides Elsie, Frank and Eva Brown also had a son, William J. Frank owned a hardware store, was city auditor of Grand Forks from 1895 to 1906. He was also secretary and auditor for the Grand Forks Herald. Elsie Brown graduated from UND in 1918, and was a member of Alpha Phi, and the director of Episcopal student activities. In 1929, Elsie was elected President of the North Dakota Girls Friendly Society, an international, non-profitorganization affiliated with the Episcopal Church. Elsie was elected National Field Secretary, and moved to the GFS headquarters in New York until Sept. 1, 1935. She returned to Grand Forks and became the secretary of the local chapter of the American Red Cross during World War II. At various times, she was employed by Herberger's, Carlyle Farming, the Art Greenberg Farming Company. She lived for many years in a home on 601 South Fifth Street, which her grandfather had built. Elsie Brown was a lifelong member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Elsie Brown died on November 15, 1986. She was 89 years old.
From the description of Papers, 1856-1949. (University of North Dakota). WorldCat record id: 48935022
