John Lewis Brown Photograph Collection, PHC.3

[Identification of item], PhC.3, John Lewis Brown Photograph Collection, State Archives of North Carolina, Raleigh, NC.

Fourteen photographs originally in the possession of John Lewis Brown, the great-grandfather of donor Mrs. Peter S. Gilchrist, Jr. John Lewis Brown served in the North Carolina House of Representatives in 1862, 1864, and 1879, representing Mecklenburg County. These photographs are portraits of fellow legislators who served with Brown in the NC House during the 1879 session of the General Assembly. Most of the photographs appear to have been made by Raleigh photographers and many of them are autographed.

From John Lewis Brown's Obituary published November 25, 1893, on the front page of the Charlotte Observer:

THE DEATH OF COL. BROWN.
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CHARLOTTE LOSES A PROMINENT MAN.
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After a Long Life of Usefulness in Church, Society and Business Circles, Col. John L. Brown Passes to His Reward--One of Charlotte's Most Influential Citizens--A Brief Sketch of His Career.

Col. John L. Brown died at his residence on East Trade street, in this city, at 6:30 o'clock this morning. The immediate cause of his death was pneumonia. For several months past Col. Brown had been in failing health, yet up to within a week past no alarm was felt as to his condition. He was in his 65th years.

The death of Col. Brown removes a man prominent in the history of Charlotte. He had spent his lifetime here, and he was one of the upbuilders of the city. He was prominent both as a business man and as a pillar of the Church, and was always found active in every work tending to the good and advancement of the community. Charlotte mourns him as one of her best men.

John Lewis Brown was born on Januar 8, 1829, near Salisbury. His father, Peter M. Brown, moved to Charlotte when the subject of this sketch was but six months old. From that time to his death, Col. Brown had lived in Charlotte. His business life here began whe he was but 18 years of age, when signed as a clerk. He rose steadily in the business world and was very soon recognized as one of the leading business men of Charlotte. His mercantile career was marked by one success after another, until he was at the head of one of the most extensive business houses in the South. But his worth was recognized in other lines. He was a useful citizen in all the walks of life. He represented Mecklenburg county in the Legislatures of 1862, 1864 and 1878, and was repeatedly elected an alderman of Charlotte. He was one of the best friends Davidson College ever had, having been a trustee of that institution for 12 years, and at the time of his death he was President of its Board of Trustees. For 24 years Col. Brown was a member of the Board of Trustees of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian church of the United States, was a trustee of the Synod of North Carolina, and was chairman of the Bench of Deacons of the First Presbyterian church of Charlotte. He was identified with almost all the important business enterprises of Charlotte. He was a director of the First National Bank, and for 12 years had been President of the Mutual Building & Loan Assocation. He was also President of the Ada Manufacturing Co. Each and all of these trusts he filled with great faithfulness and acceptability. He was the first President of the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, and was a member of the North Carolina Railroad Co.

In private life Col. Brown was one of the most genial of men. He was possessed of a kind heart and was ever ready to extend the helping hand to the deserving.

He was married to Nancy J. Kerr, daughter of J. B. Kerr, of Charlotte, who preceded him to the grave about two years ago. One son, Mr. Peter Marshal Brown, survives him, upon whom will be transferred the responsibility of the management of the extensive estate accumulated by Col. Brown. Capt. F. S. Dewolfe, of Seattle, Washington, is a brother-in-law of Col. Brown; Mrs. Robt. Jordan and Mrs. T. S. Brown are his nieces. One surviving sister, Mrs. H. T. Sloan, lives at Verdery, S. C.

The funeral services will be conducted from the residence, at 3:30 o'clock to-morrow afternoon. The pall bearers will be Mr. J. H. Weddington, Mr. J. R. Holland, Maj. Jas. G. Harris, Mr. R. M. Miller, Sr., Capt. A. G. Brenizer, Mr. Geo. E. Wilson, Dr. E. Nye Hutchison and Maj. M. D. L. McLeod.

From "Find A Grave" online:


Parents:
Peter Marshall Brown (1802 - 1874)

Spouse:
Nancy Jane Kerr Brown (1834 - 1891)

Children:
William Jennings Brown (1857 - 1872)
Peter Marshall Brown (1859 - 1913)



Burial:
Elmwood Cemetery
Charlotte
Mecklenburg County
North Carolina, USA

Brown, John Lewis, 1823-1893

North Carolina General Assembly

Politics

Collection was donated to the State Archives of North Carolina in 1975 by Mrs. Peter S. Gilchrist, Jr., of Charlotte, NC, great-granddaughter of John Lewis Brown.