Harlow Brown

Harlow Brown, son of Erastus Brown, was born in Vermont, in 1821, remained with his parents until he was twenty years of age, when he came to Peoria, where he was engaged in various occupations for seven years. On August 1, 1847, he married Harriet Stoffer, a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Tyson) Stoffer, who was born October 6, 1826. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania, who settled in Ohio, and in 1844 settled in Peoria county, Ill. Some years later they came to Stark county, where her mother died in 1885, being then eighty-nine years of age, thus surviving her husband some years. About a year after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Brown came to Penn township, where they purchased land and began its improvement, amid all the privations of pioneer life. Their union has been blessed by twelve children, seven of whom are still living: Effie J. (deceased); Amanda P., now Mrs. William Cross, of Kansas; Nellie J., now Mrs. Edwin Snare, of Valley township; Eliza, now Mrs. N. Foster, of Osceola; Sherman (deceased); Samuel (deceased); Lemuel (deceased); Emma C. (deceased); Dora E., now Mrs. E. Pettit, of Penn township; H. B., now engaged in the hardware trade in Castleton, Ill.; Franklin W., and Herbert D. Politically, Mr. Brown is a Republican, having voted that ticket since the Buchanan campaign. He now owns 640 acres of the choicest lands in Stark county, the greater part being in Penn township, on which is situated his large pleasant residence. Mrs. Brown has been an invalid for the last five years. In speaking of pioneer life, Mr. and Mrs. Brown relate many events, among others being kept awake by the howling of the wolves, which surrounded the cabin as soon as dark came on. Their cabin was 12x12, and on one occasion Mrs. Brown held a "quilting," and, on account of lack of room in the house, they quilted out doors, with no cover but a small shed.