J. R. Brown
J. R. Brown was born July 8th, 1833, in Ripley County, Indiana. In’43 his parents immigrated to St. Joseph County, Indiana. In ’52, he engaged in the store and hardware business, in Edinburg, Indiana, and in ’58 he shipped his stock to the then flourishing town of Lanesfield, in this county, where he continued to do a good business (having added a stock of dry goods, and being appointed post master,) until the Spring of ’62, at which time he was robbed. For the better security of his life and property he came to Olathe, where he continued the mercantile business. In ’63, he associated himself in business with his father-in-law, J. W. Torbett, and leased the property then known as the Hayes’ house. In ’66 they sold their lease to Capt. T.E. Milhoan, and engaged in the livery business. In ’68 he was appointed post master; in ’70 the business of the office having increased to the rank of a third class office, he was re-appointed, by the president, and confirmed by the senate for four years longer. During the Price raid, he was appointed first lieutenant in the State militia, and assigned to duty as aid-de camp on the staff of Brig. Gen. Fishback. In ’56 he was united in marriage to Miss S.E. Torbitt of Edinburg, Indiana. They have a family of four children, two sons and two daughters.
Atlas Map of Johnson County, Kansas, E. F. Heisler and Co., 1874, p. 58.
