Oliver J. Brown
Oliver J. Brown, who, for eighteen years served in the office of township trustee for Cross Creek, resides on his valuable farm of ninety acres, which he devotes to general agriculture. He was born and always lived in Cross Creek Township, Jefferson County, Ohio, May 24, 1846, and is a son of George and Isabel (Cunningham) Brown.
George Brown was born in Cross Creek Township, April 4, 1818, a son of Stephen and Mary (Baxter) Brown, early settlers, and his birth and death occurred in the same house. Elected on the Republican ticket, he served as township trustee, and was one of the substantial, solid men of this section. He married Isabel Cunningham, who was born March 5, 1821, a member of another early family of Cross Creek Township. They had the following children: Mary (deceased) born November 16, 1842, was the wife of Joseph McCullough; John C, born March 13, 1844; Oliver J.; Rebecca E., born November 19, 1848, married A. M. Smith; Laveria C, born August 20, 1853; Samantha F., born May 31, 1856; and George S., born May 27, 1859. The parents of the above family were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
With the exception of the period between May and September, 1864, during which he was a soldier in the Union army serving in Co. F, 157th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in the Civil War, Mr. Brown has spent almost his entire life in his native section, obtaining his education here as well as his farm training and for many years has been one of the leading agriculturists of the township. In December, 1874, he was married to Miss Mary E. Connell, a daughter of William and Anna (Johnston) Connell. The father of Mrs. Brown was married first to a Miss Richards and they had two sons, Robert and Joseph. Of his second marriage three children were born, Albert W., Nancy J. and Mary E. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have had four children, as follows: Harry A., born June 29, 1876, married Olive Baxter, of Brooke County, West Virginia, and they have two children—Sarah Edith and Helen Elizabeth; Anna Belle, born December 24, 1878, married Elliott L. Smith, and they have one daughter, Mary Agnes; John C, born February 19, 1884; and Edwin, who was born April 12, 1887. Mr. Brown and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Fernwood. He is identified with the Republican party and has been an active and useful citizen in his township. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, having membership in Lodge No. 182, F. & A. M. at Smithfield.
From 20th Century History of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Ohio, by Joseph B. Doyle. Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910