James Fredrick Brown Sr., son of Captain James Brown of the Mormon Battalion and Cecelia Henrietta Cornu Robellas, was born July 2, 1859 at Ogden, Utah. He was married March 27, 1884 to Esther Amelia Marriott in Salt Lake City, Utah.
He was among the first settlers who came to Star Valley. He came in September, 1885 with his wife and baby son, James Fredrick Brown, Jr., and Mr. and Mrs. Jim Dinsdale. They came by way of Stump Creek, west of Auburn. There were no roads at that time, and often the men had to ride the side of the wagon to keep it from tipping over on some of the narrow ledges and dugways along the mountain paths.
The first cabin they saw when coming out of the canyon was that of Money Welch. It was surrounded by tall grass that was seen everywhere in the beautiful valley.
They camped on Swift Creek for about two days while the men rode around to find a place to locate. They finally decided to build a cabin on the land later owned by James Fredrick Brown Jr. in what latter became Fairview. The men cut enough hay to feed their teams and cow (which was led behind the wagon) all winter. They then set about building a one-room log cabin with a dirt roof and dirt floor. There they left their wives and babies quite comfortable while they went back to Ogden for food and necessary things for the winter which was very near. It was a long, lonesome time for the women until their husbands returned, as their nearest neighbor was Grant Campbell Sr. and small family who lived up Spring Creek.
Elk, deer and coyotes roamed freely over the valley. Some trappers and Indians were seen frequently.
Mr. Brown was the first to plant and raise potatoes and grain in Star Valley. He was a good farmer. He always had a good garden with strawberries and red English currants. He dealt in cattle, buying, selling and shipping. He established good credit at banks and business houses. He was shrewd and thrifty. He loved the mountains and spent his leisure time fishing and hunting. He was one of the few early settlers who went to Montpelier, Idaho during the winter on snowshoes to get the mail. This trip was made only two or three times during the winter, as it was a long and hazardous journey. The settlers were overjoyed when the mail came.
After arriving in Star Valley, Mr. Brown spent the remainder of his life in Fairview. He died at the age of 64 in April, 1923 and was buried in the Fairview Cemetery.
Sources:
This material submitted by Rhea Brown Roberts. Star Valley and its Communities, Published by Star Valley Independent, Afton, Wyoming, Edited by Lee R. Call, page 19. Located in the Star Valley Branch Library, PO Box 849 261 Washington, Afton, Wyoming 83110 (307) 885-3158. See also The Mormons in Wyoming and Idaho, by Burton, Alice Maude Call.
Typed into html format by Lucy Brown Archer
Submitted to this site by Erold Clark Wiscombe, June 2004
