Emeline M. Woodward and William M. Brown

WILLIAM M. BROWN, son of ELIZA MERRILL and WILLIAM MERRILL BROWN, was born December 18, 1830 in Portland, Chautauqua, New York,³⁵⁶³ and died March 23, 1908 in Randolph, Cattaraugus, New York.³⁵⁶⁴ He is buried in East Randolph Cemetery, Cattaraugus County, New York.^{3263, 3564, 456}

He married EMELINE M. WOODWARD on September 13, 1855.³⁵⁶³ She was born February 25, 1832 in Greene County, New York,^{3263, 3565} and died October 2, 1906 in Randolph, Cattaraugus, New York.^{3263, 3565} She is buried in East Randolph Cemetery, Cattaraugus County, New York.^{3565, 456}

• Descendant Reports
  • William Merrill Brown Descendant Report (Ancestor of William M. Brown)

Children of EMELINE M. WOODWARD and WILLIAM M. BROWN:

1. FRANK A. BROWN, b. December 23, 1856;³⁵⁶³ d. November 23, 1920, Okmulgee County, Oklahoma.¹⁰⁶⁸⁷
2. GRACIA E. BROWN, b. March 15, 1859;³⁵⁶³ d. March 30, 1862;³⁵⁶³ bur. East Randolph Cemetery, Cattaraugus County, New York.³²⁶³
3. MINNIE M. BROWN, b. July 17, 1864;³⁵⁶³ d. 1890;³²⁶³ bur. East Randolph Cemetery, Cattaraugus County, New York.³²⁶³
4. LOUISE LUCIELE BROWN, b. January 26, 1869;³⁵⁶³ m. JAMES CALHOUN SHELDON on June 28, 1893 in Randolph, Cattaraugus, New York⁷³⁷⁶; d. September 21, 1945, Vernon County, Missouri.⁷⁰⁶

Work History

Obituaries

Randolph Register, October 5, 1906³⁵⁶⁵

MRS. WM. BROWN DIED ON TUESDAY

Entered Into Rest after a Long Illness Patiently Borne.

A NOBLE CHRISTIAN WOMAN

Whose Long Life was One of Devotion to Church and to the Family—The Funeral and Burial Today

"Entered into rest," Tuesday, Oct. 2nd, Mrs. Emmeline Woodworth Borwn, aged seventy-four eyars, after long illness patiently borne with christian trust and fortitude.

She was born in Green Co. Feb. 25, 1832, and came at a very early age with her family to Elm Creek, where her father, James M. Woodworth settled on what is known as the Hector Bowen farm. Here he and his wife established a home in the wilderness where God was honored and his worship always maintained.

The large family of boys and girls showed the result of this careful training in lives of devotion to the church. Two of the sons Charles and Watson, became Methodist ministiers and died in the service.

The children attended the old Randolph Academy, Mrs. Brown being one of the earliest pupils. She was an eager student and always cherished a fond affection for the school on the hill, where later her own children were educated.

In 1855 she was married to William M. Brown, who survives her. Their children were Frank, Gracia, Minnie and Louise, now Mrs. James C. Sheldon. Frank and Mrs. Sheldon are the only ones living.

Mrs. Brown was a woman of unusual natural refinement and personal attractions, possessing a great love for the beautiful which displayed itself in a passion for flowers and fondness for lovely things of all kinds. Although much of her life a semi-invalid such was her energy that she attended to her home and other duties with unflagging zeal. She was a model housekeeper, a tender, devoted mother, a warm and faithful friend, a christian of unfaltering faith, a kind and generous neighbor.

The bereavement and sorrows that came to her were trustfully borne and she found shelter under the wings of the Almighty.

In the long illness that preceded the end, she was serene and content, cared for by the unfailing tenderness of her daughter and awoke from a merciful unconsciousness to find herself forever free and happy. What a rapturous surprise when her eyes opened to the everlasting joys of heaven. Reunited with the beloved ones and in the presence of Christ the Savior she served so long, how can we mourn over her going? May we greet her in joy, when our spirits "Cross the harbor bar."—E. A. Edwards

The funeral will be held from the late home at 1 p. m. today, Rev. E. W. Robinson officiating. Burial will be made at East Randolph.

Randolph Register, March 27, 1908³⁵⁶⁴

WILLIAM M. BROWN IS LAID TO REST

He Died Monday Morning at Home of His Daughter.

WAS SHERIFF OF THIS COUNTY

As Lumberman and Oil Operator he was Prominent Figure in County Affairs. He Suffered for Years.

The death of William M. Brown, which occurred early Monday morning at the home of his daughter, Mrs. James O. Sheldon, removes a man who stood prominent in affairs in this section a quarter of a century ago.

As merchant, lumberman, oil operator and in affairs political he was a leading character. Later he came to Randolph and built a handsome home on Jamestown street where his family continued to reside until within a few years. The funeral was attended at the home of Mrs. Sheldon on Wednesday afternoon, and burial was made at East Randolph cemetery where other members of the family are laid. The Register is indebted to a close friend of Mr. Brown for the following brief sketch of his career:

William M. Brown, Sr. was born at New Haven, Conn., January 15, 1781. He removed with his family to the town of Portland, Chautauqua County, N. Y., nearly a century ago, and about the year 1832 to the town of South Valley. In 1852 he removed to Coldspring where he died May 3, 1863. His wife was daughter of Gen. Collins. The latter was killed in the Revolutionary war.

William M. Brown was born at Portland, N. Y., Dec. 18, 1830. The country where he was born was then, and during his youth, comparatively new, and thinly settled. Schools were few and far between, so that his educational advantages were not such as to warrant the easy acquisition of learning. He attended the public schools of Cattaraugus County, and there laid the foundation of an education with self study, observation, and practical application developed into a sound business knowledge. At the age of fifteen years he left home and went to work for an elder brother, Norman Brown, now deceased, with whom he was connected in business for several years. He remained with him at that time almost three years and then returned to Coldspring, where they engaged jointly in the lumber business. This copartnership existed almost three years, when it was dissolved by mutual consent by the retirement of Norman. A division of the property was made, William M. taking that in the town of Coldspring, and his brother that in South Valley, on the opposite side of the river. He continued in the lumbering and farming business from that time until the oil fields of Pennsylvania were opened, when he engaged extensively in the business of producing oil, and was a large operator in the fields of Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia for many years. When the great slump in oil came in the '80's he disposed of his interests in the fields and returned to lumbering in Michigan, where he was engaged until about ten years ago when failing health compelled his retirement from an active business life.

While his business interests for many years took him well over the country he made his home always in this county, during his earlier years in the town of Coldspring, but since 1875 he resided with his family in Randolph.

On September 13, 1855, Mr. Brown was united in marriage with Emeline M., daughter of Madison Woodsworth, an early settler and prominent farmer of Coldspring. Mrs. Brown died at Randolph in October 1906. They had four children born to them of whom two survive; Frank A. who now resides at Colosa, Oklahoma, where he is engaged in the oil business, and Louise L. wife of James C. Sheldon, who resides at Randolph, and with whom Mr. Brown had lived since the death of his wife in 1906. Gracia E., their oldest child died in 1862, Minnie M. married Arthur J. Ford of New Hookford, North Dak., and died at Randolph April 1889.

In politics, Mr. Brown was a Democrat; and, not withstanding the fact that the Republicans have a large majority in the county, he was honored with one of its most important and responsible offices—that of sheriff—to which he was elected in 1870, overcoming a majority of upwards of fifteen hundred. He served the term for which he was elected in a manner quite satisfactory to the people at large, and highly creditable to himself.

Mr. Brown also served six years as a member of the board of supervisors, representing the town of Coldspring in that body. His practical business knowledge and ability rendered his term of service flatteringly successful; and few, if any, have filled the position with greater general worthiness.

Census Records

Date	Location	Enumerated Names
June 25, 18603285	Randolph, Cattaraugus, New York	William M. Brown Emeline M. Woodward Gracia E. Brown Frank A. Brown
July 20, 18703249	Randolph, Cattaraugus, New York	William M. Brown Emeline M. Woodward Frank A. Brown Minnie M. Brown Louise Luciele Brown
June 10, 18803340	Randolph, Cattaraugus, New York	William M. Brown Emeline M. Woodward Frank A. Brown Minnie M. Brown Louise Luciele Brown
June 14, 19003342	Randolph, Cattaraugus, New York	Emeline M. Woodward