BIO: Philip BROWN, Huntingdon County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Lana Clark <myclarkhistory@hotmail.com> Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ********************************************************** __________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers. Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, pages 42-43. __________________________________________________________ PHILIP BROWN, retired furniture dealer, was born in Odensachsen, Hesse Cassel, Germany, August 10, 1835, son of Conrad and Katrina (Ruppel) Braun, both natives of Germany, and both now deceased. Philip Brown was educated in the public schools of his native country, and afterwards, when a little over thirteen, was for three years an apprentice at cabinet making. His apprenticeship over, he traveled through Prussia, according to the custom of journeymen in that country, working at his trade in various places for three years. He at last settled down in his native place, here he continued to work for two years, and then, in March, 1857, emigrated to America. After a tempestuous voyage of seven weeks, he landed in Baltimore, May 1, 1857, and remained there until November, when he went to Annapolis, Md. A year and a half later, he returned to Baltimore, and engaged in the grocery business. In December, 1860, on account of the breaking out of the war, Mr. Brown sold out his store. In December, 1861, he removed to Huntingdon, where he worked as a journeyman cabinetmaker for three years with James Higgins, now deceased. In the spring of 1865, Mr. Brown began the business of cabinetmaking on his own account, and in 1870 entered into partnership with Thomas W. Myton, Barton Armitage and John E. Schmucker, under the firm name of Schmucker, Brown & Co. About a year later, Mr. Myton and Mr. Armitage withdrew from, the partnership, leaving the business to be conducted under the same firm name by Messrs. Schmucker and Brown. In the spring of 1873, Mr. Brown purchased Mr. Schmucker's interest at public sale, and continued the business on his own account until the spring of 1889. He then retired, selling out the business to his sons, Louis R., Harry, John A. and Edward S. Brown, who have since conducted it as Philip Brown's Sons. Being thus relieved of business cares, Mr. Brown embarked for Germany in the latter part of April, 1889, with his wife and daughters, for the purpose of visiting his native place. After spending several months very agreeably in Europe, he returned to his adopted country. Mr. Brown is one of the oldest merchants of the borough of Huntingdon. He has for the past thirty-four years voted with the Democratic party. From 1878 to 1883 he efficiently filled the office of burgess; he also served the borough faithfully during one term as school director. He has been a member of Juniata Lodge, No. 117, I.O.O.F., of Huntingdon, since 1867. Philip Brown was married in the city of Baltimore January 8, 1860, to Hermina Paulina Richter, daughter of Ludwig and Hanna Richter, born in Saxony, Germany, June 8, 1843, and a resident of this country since 1852. Their family numbers ten children, four of whom are deceased. The survivors are: Louis R., born February 2, 1862; Harry, December 9, 1864; John A., July 28, 1868; Edward S., July 3, 1873; Margaret Lizzie, October 14, 1877, wife of Albert Kauffman, of Huntingdon, and Mary J., born August 22, 1879, wife of Harry Hoffman, of Huntingdon. The family attend the Lutheran church. Louis R. Brown, of the firm of Philip Brown's Sons, furniture dealers and undertakers, was educated in the public schools, and learned cabinetmaking with his father. He worked at the trade as a journeyman until 1889, when he became a partner in the present firm. Mr. Louis Brown is a staunch Democrat. He served out the unexpired term of his father on the school board of the borough of Huntingdon. He has been for twelve years, and is still secretary, of the Huntingdon Borough Fire Company. He is a member of Juniata Lodge, No. 117, I.O.O.F., and of Mount Hor Encampment, No. 180, I.O.O.F., of Huntingdon; he has passed all chairs in both branches. Louis Brown was married in Huntingdon, May 24, 1883, to Laura, daughter of William A. Grove. They have had four children. Of these, Alexander Philip died at the age of three years, two months and twenty-five days, and Adam Paul, aged six years. The surviving children are Alice Paulina and Adeline Phyllis. Harry Brown, also of Philip Brown's Sons, was educated in the public schools, and afterwards worked in the finishing department of his father's cabinetmaking establishment. On September 20, 1886, he was appointed a railway mail clerk. He began his duties in this capacity a few weeks later, and was engaged in the R.R. mail service until May 1, 1891. Since that date he has devoted his entire attention to his present business. He is a Democrat, and a member of the Huntingdon Band. Harry Brown was married in Johnstown, Pa., December 29, 1887, to Rosanna Katrina Elizabeth, daughter of John and Rosanna K. Bloch, natives of Germany, and both deceased. Mrs. Bloch and four of her daughters were drowned in the Johnstown Flood, May 30, 1889. Mr. and Mrs. Harry Brown have had four children: Florence Rosanna Hermenia, born April 6, 1889; Freda Clara, born September 28, 1890, died April 12, 1891; Paulina H., born May 15, 1893; and Carl Frederick, born March 5, 1895. The firm of Philip Brown's Sons, composed of the four sons of Philip Brown, conducts the largest and best stocked furniture establishment in Huntingdon. Their business relations extend throughout Huntingdon and the adjoining counties. The furniture business was established in 1865, and the undertaking branch added by Smucker & Brown in 1870.