CURTIS W. BROWN. The center of a great grain producing country, the commercial populace abounds in middlemen who deal exclusively in the chief products of the State. Our subject, Mr. Brown, is one of these operators, being a large grain dealer, buying from the farmers and finding a market in the eastern metropolitan cities. He has displayed such quickness of perception, knowledge of the resources of the country and influences upon the trade, that he has gained the confidence of both factions or classes of people with whom he deals. The farmer know that in selling to him, they get a reasonable price, and the eastern buyers and elevator owners are aware that the grains they get of him are the best that the country produces, and are willing to make concessions in his favor.

Like most of the inhabitants of the Central and Western States even yet, our subject is of Eastern parentage, and also of birth. His father was Job Brown, a native of New Jersey. His mother was Phoebe Williams, who was probably born in New York. They first settled in New Jersey where they continued to reside for five years. He was a carpenter by trade and was constantly so employed in his early home. They removed from New Jersey to Ohio, and settled in Butler County, where they remained about two years, and then settled in Johnson County, Ind., in the village of Edinburg. There they lived for nine years and then came to Illinois early in 1860 and settled in Clay County, where they remained until their decease.

Our subject is one of eight children, the family comprising five sons and three daughters. Of these, he of whom we write was the eldest, having been born in New Jersey, August 18, 1842. He made his home with his parents until he was about twenty years old, coming with them to this State early in the '60s, and with the exception of the time spent in the war, he has ever since here made his home, early engaging in business for himself and acquiring business ways and knowledge.

When the terrible period in our country's history began, at the firing of the first gun of Ft. Sumter, Mr. Brown responded to the call for volunteers and enlisted in the army in 1862, joining Company C of the Ninety-eighth Illinois Regiment. He served until the close of the war, seeing much hard fighting and a great deal of both good and bad on both sides. He took part in the battles of Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, and was through the siege of Atlanta, Ga., at the battle of Selma, Ala., at Montgomery and Macon, Ga. He was so fortunate as throughout his service to have escaped sickness and bore the hardships of army life with fortitude and an admirable spirit that made the best of all discomforts that could not be remedied. He received his discharge at Springfield, this State, after which he returned to Clay County, Ill., and engaged in farming, remaining there from 1869 until the fall of 1872, when he came to Moultrie County.

Upon settling in this county, the gentleman of whom we write engaged in farming and stock raising, his residence and place of business being in Dora Township. He was thus occupied for nearly seven years, when he removed to Lovington Township, and has here resided for two years, during which time he was engaged in farming. The next change was made to the village of Lovington, and here he has been engaged in active commercial business. He has sold agricultural implements and dealt largely in stock, the grain business, however, occupying the greater portion of his time and attention.

Curtis W. Brown left the bachelor ranks when in Clay County, Ill., and February 3, 1866, was united in marriage to Miss Minerva Price, who was a native of the same county in which their marriage was solemnized. Mrs. Brown is an admirable lady and has been a true helpmate and companion to her husband. The rearing of her family has not left her a great deal of time for social pleasures, for she has had the care as well as maternal duties of ten children. Their names are as follows: Elma, Mollie Guy, James, Inis, Charles, Albert, Emma, Ida, and William. Most of the children are sturdy and original young people, with a strong vital energy, and having ideas of their own regarding their individual and personal rights.

Politically, our subject casts his vote with the Republican party, having great faith in the leaders and executives that in the wisdom of the party have been placed at the head of the nation. That his fellow-townsmen have reposed the greatest confidence in his judgment and intelligence and ability as a manager, is evidenced by the fact that he has been appointed to many local offices in the gift of the township. While in Clay County, for two years he held the office of Collector, and also served a School Director and Highway Commissioner. Since coming to Lovington Township he has filled most acceptably the chair of Supervisor for a space of one year, and has also been a member of the Masonic fraternity and also belongs to the Lovington Post of the Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. Brown is a public spirited and generous man and has always shown himself ready in any time of emergency either for the country at large, or the locality in which he resides, to become an active and responsible party in the upholding of the principles of right and justice.

Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties, 1891 - p. 341-343

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