Harrison F. Brown
A man's reputation is the property of the world, for the laws of nature have forbidden isolation. Every human being either submits to the controlling influence of others or wields an influence which touches, controls, guides or misdirects others. If he be honest and successful in his chosen field of endeavor, investigation will brighten his fame and point the way along which others may follow with like success. The reputation of Harrison F. Brown, one of the leading citizens and efficient public officials of Fayette county, is such, according to those who know him best, it is believed that a study of his career will be of benefit to the reader, for it has been one not only of honor but of usefulness also.
Harrison F. Brown, or Harry, as he is familiarly known among his friends and acquaintances, is the scion of a sterling line of ancestors, who have been closely identified with the history of the Buckeye state in their respective communities. His paternal great-grandfather was Peter Brown, whose wife, Nancy Polk, was related to President James K. Polk. Among their children was Trusten Polk Brown, who was a native of Sussex county, Delaware, as was his wife, Tabitha Wingate Cannon. The latter 's parents were Jesse and Margaret Cannon, also natives of Delaware. Trusten and Tabitha Brown were brought to Ohio in their childhood, he when about six years of age, and she when two years younger, the two families settling in Deer Creek township, Pickaway county. There they grew to maturity and were married, and there they spent the rest of their days, he dying at the age of fifty-six years and she when sixty-six years old. To Trusten and Tabitha Brown were born the following children : Frank, Wesley, Trusten, Peter W., Sarah, Nancy, Elizabeth, Maria, Tabitha and Solomon Wesley.
Solomon W. Brown was reared in Pickaway county and throughout his active life he applied himself to the vocation of farming. Eventually, about 1867, he came to Favette county, locating on the Benjamin Harrison farm in Paint township, where he remained until about 1900, when he came to Washington C. H. and here he has since resided, enjoying that rest which he so richly earned. He married Mary Elizabeth Harrison, the daughter of Benjamin and Alartlia ( Reeves) Harrison, and to them were born two children, Emma A., the wife of J. T. Morris, of Washington C. H.. and Harrison, the immediate subject of this sketch.
The parents of Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Brown were natives of Ohio and the major portion of their lives were spent in Madison connty, where their deaths occnrred. Benjamin Harrison was a son of Gen. Batteal Harrison, who was a second cousin of ex-President Benjamin Harrison and who served with the rank and title of general in the War of 1812. His wife, Ehzabeth (Scott) Harrison, was a native of Kentucky. For many years thev resided in Fayette county and died here. Benjamin Harrison was a prominent and successful farmer and took a prominent part in the public affairs of his county, serving at one time as county commissioner. His wife. Martha ( Reeves) Harrison, was a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Jackson) Reeves, natives of Madison county, Ohio. To Benjamin and Martha (Reeves) Harrison were born five children, Mary Elizabeth, Batteal, Isabel, Angelina and Winnie S. Gen. Batteal Harrison was a son of Benjamin Harrison, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
Harrison F. Brown was born on the paternal homestead in Paint township, Fayette county, Ohio, on the 4th day of April, 1873. He was reared amid the health-giving surroundings of country life and early imbibed those elements of industry, oersistence and independence which have so largely contributed to his later success in life. He first attended the district schools and the high school at Bloomingburg, and then became a student in the National Business University, at Columbus, where he graduated at the age of twenty years, with a good practical knowledge of business methods and practices. During the following two years Mr. Brown was a traveling salesman, but at the end of that period he located on a farm in Paint township, to the operation of which he devoted himself with pronounced success until November, 1909, when he moved to Washington C. H., where he has since resided. The farm of two hundred and sixty acres in Paint township is owned by Mrs. Brown, but Mr. Brown also owns a farm of three hundred and thirtv acres in Green township, both tracts being well improved and valuable properties. On the 1st of April, 1913, Mr. Brown entered into a partnership with J. L. Rothrock in the livery business, in which they have met with pronounced success. They carry a large line of vehicles of every description demanded by the local trade and their turn-outs equal any in this locality. Thev are courteous and careful in their treatment of their customers and are numbered among the popular business firms of this city. On May 1, 1914, Mr. Brown purchased his partner's interest and is now the sole owner of the business.
Politically, Harry Brown has been a life-long supporter of the Republican party and has long been an active worker in the ranks and prominent in the party councils. In recognition of his sterling qualities of character and his sound Inisiness ability, he was nominated and elected to the responsible office of county commissioner, and so satisfactory was his service in that capacity that he was re-elected and is thus now serving his second term. It is the consensus of puljlic opinion that the county never had a more careful or efficient public official than Mr. Brown. Fraternally, he is a member of Leanore Lodge No. 512, Free and Accepted Masons, at Sedalia. Ohio; Fayette Chapter, Royal .Arch Masons. at Washington C. H. ; Garfield Commandery No. 128, Knights Templar, and is also a member of Washington Lodge No. 120, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Mrs.. Brown is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
On February 26. 1903, Harry Brown was married to Florence E. Selsor, a native of Paint township, this county, and the daughter of William J. and Electa J. (Morris) Selser, who were early settlers in Fayette county. To Mr. and Mrs. Brown have been born two children, Mary Elizabeth and William S.
William J. Selsor was born in Madison countv, Ohio, and his wife in Fayette county. They were the parents of four children, namely: Idell, Edna Dean (who died at the age of eighteen years), Florence Ethel (Mrs. Brown ) and Ercell. Mrs. Brown's paternal grandparents were Fred and Mary (Rankin) Selsor, natives of Virginia, while her maternal grandparents were Samuel and Phoebe (Groves) Morris. Samuel Morris was born in Clermont county, this state, in 1805, and was brought to Fayette county in 1813. Phoebe (Groves) Morris was born in Jackson county, Ohio, coming to Fayette county after her marriage. To this worthy couple were born eight children, Daniel Groves, Samuel Robinson, John Eulon, Electa J., William Warrington, Martin Wolf, Amanda Elizabeth and Elma Eliza. William J. Selsor died in 1909, being survived by his widow, who still resides in Washington C. H.
Mr. Brown has demonstrated himself to be a man of good business ability and marked enterprise. As a private citizen he takes a deep and abiding interest in all phases of the community life affecting the material, educational, social or moral welfare of the people, and his support is always given to such movements as are conducive to the greatest public good. Personally, he is a genial and companionable man and enjoys a marked popularity in the community where he resides.
From History of Fayette County Ohio - Her People, Industries and Institutions by Frank M. Allen (1914, R. F. Bowen & Company, Inc.)