[James Brown, Jr.] Was born Sept. 30, 1801, Rowan Co., North Carolina. Received his education in common schools. Was literarily inclined. Taught school in his early manhood and was a Baptist preacher for a time.
His first wife was Martha Stephens who died in 1840 after bearing him eight sons and one daughter.
He was Sheriff of Rowan Co., and also engaged in farming.
He embraced the Mormon Church and moved to Nauvoo in 1840 where he was active in Church affairs and spent sometime in gathering funds for the Nauvoo Temple. He became a close friend of Brigham Young.
He and his family were among the Saints who were driven from Nauvoo. Before this he had married Mrs. Mary McRee Black, widow of George Black who had died of malaria in Nauvoo, leaving her with five small children all of whom died soon after with the exception of her only son, George David.
When the Saints arrived at Council Bluffs, Iowa, the Government drafted five hundred of the men for the war with Mexico. James Brown was a Captain over Co. C. of this Mormon Battalion. He took his wife and her little son David with him on the unparalleled march of infantry towards the Pacific Coast.
By the time the Battalion arrived at Santa Fe, New Mexico, many of them were sick. It was late in the fall. October, and the sick ones were unable to continue on to Cal. They were discharged and Captain James Brown was put in charge over them and they wintered in Pueblo.
In the spring they took up their march to Salt Lake Valley arriving there 29 July 1847, five days after Brigham Young and his small band of Pioneers.
In the fall he and his sons, A1ex and Jesse, who had been members of the Battalion, went to California to collect from the government the pay for the Battalion. Winter set in before their return and they suffered terribly and nearly starved to death. The last few days they subsisted upon soup made by boiling the buckskin and leather from their saddles.
The following February Captain Brown was called to go north and settle upon land he purchased from Miles Goodyear for $3,000.00, money which he had obtained for services of the Battalion during their enlistment. This land embraced all that lay between the Mountains on the east, Weber River on the west and south, and north to the Warm Springs.
He moved his family into a hut formerly occupied by Jim Bridger on the Weber River.
He named the settlement that soon sprang up, Brownsville, but later it was changed to Ogden. He was, therefore, the founder of Ogden City. He built the first bridges over Ogden and Weber rivers. Acted as assessor and collector of Weber Co.
Captain Brown was later, in 1852, called to open a Mission in British Guiana in South America, proceeding to San Diego, California whence by sailing vessel to the Isthmus of Panama.
On his return homeward he remained at St. Louis, Mo. and was Church Immigration Agent for 1853 and 1854.
He was always active in Church and Civic affairs.
Was a member of the Territorial Legislature for several terms. A member of the city council and was a member of the Weber Stake Presidency.
He died through an accident on his 62nd birthday. His arm was caught in a molasses mill and mashed to a pulp. Blood poison set in and he died in a few days.
He left a large posterity who adored him. He left his family wall provided for and a homesite for all of his married children.
In appearance he was of medium height, sturdily built and of neat appearance. Had black, curly hair, olive complexion, light grey, keen eyes, high cheek bones and a deep dimple in his chin. He wore his hair parted on each side and a curled roach on top. He was a fiery tempered man, but was over it in a flash when anything angered him. He was humble and a consistent devoted Latter-day Saint.
Verses to the memory of Captain James Brown of Ogden, Utah.
By his son, Orson Pratt Brown, of Colonia Dublán, Chihuahua, Mexico.
A VOICE FROM FAR OFF MEXICO
Arouse you Browns of Ogden, and make your armors bright
Prepare to meet the Captain - truth and liberty is his fight
The gospel of the Master was ever his greatest shield
To those precious principles he ever was ready to yield.
He was a great humanitarian who loved his fellowman
Who always helped the needy from his storehouse and his lands
He was true to his country, families, friends and God
His life was a worthy example good for other people to trod.
Obedience was his watchword no sacrifice too great
When the voice of God called through prophets of Latter Days
He was fearless as a lion when meeting man to man
But when the spirit of God was with him - as humble as a lamb.
He crossed the trackless deserts - over mountains and rivers, too
Also, through the wilderness, with red men in pursuit
But as a pioneer and soldier of the Master he trusted in his God
He had no fears of anything as the trackless wastes he trod.
Then arise ye Browns of Ogden - prepare you for the fight
We must be ready to meet our Captain over on the other side
We have no time to falter or waver by the wayside
We must buckle on our armors and always keep it bright.
God bless his posterity - help us to see and feel the light
And may the spirit of the Master help us make the good fight
Let us emulate his good example - be faithful to our trust
And the Lord will love and bless us when we stop following after lust.
So come all ye Brown descendants and promptly tune your lyre
Get ready to meet him - for he is coming our noble sire
He will be one of the judges with Jesus Christ our Lord
Coming to give his people justice with mercy, and each his just reward.
CAPTAIN JAMES BROWN 1801-1863
ORSON PRATT BROWN WEBSITE HOMEPAGE
