Benton County ArArchives Biographies.....Brown, John E. 
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Source: See Full Citation Below Biography
Author: S. J. Clarke (Publisher, 1922)

REV. JOHN E. BROWN.
    The life of Rev. John E. Brown, evangelist, author and founder, and
president of the John E. Brown College, has been one of far-reaching influence
and usefulness, devoted unselfishly to the service of others and exemplifying
the true spirit of Christianity. He was born in Mahaska county, Iowa, in 1879, a
son of John F. and Julia A. (Bramner) Brown, who were natives of Indiana. They
were Quakers in religious belief and in 1853 removed to Iowa, where the father
followed the occupation of farming. Mr. and Mrs. Brown became the parents of
nine children, of whom seven survive, the subject of this review being the fifth
in order of birth.

    During his boyhood Dr. Brown worked in the limekilns of Arkansas, coming to
this state when fourteen years old, and his youth was a period of hard and
unremitting toil, for his father was poor and the family was a large one. The
son at first received for his services seventy-five cents a day and as he became
more proficient this amount was increased to a dollar. Life seemed to hold "out
but little to him as he toiled in the blazing sun with aching muscles, but one
night, impelled by curiosity, he attended a meeting of the Salvation Army and
this marked a turning point in his career. Animated by hope and courage, he
joined the little band of religious workers on their journey to Siloam Springs,
Arkansas, for the purpose of opening a mission, being at the time seventeen
years of age. During the absence of the ensign Dr. Brown was placed in charge of
the mission, which he conducted so successfully that he was invited to deliver
his message in a neighboring town, and this constituted the beginning of his
work as an evangelist. He did not follow closely the tenets of the Salvation
Army but strove to deliver a message that would find a lodging place in each
heart, regardless of creed or doctrine, and so eloquently has he delivered it
that with the passing years he has succeeded in influencing many to choose the
better path in life. The secret of his power lies in his utter honesty and
sincerity, his abounding sympathy and understanding, his magnetism and his
all-embracing democracy. The boy from the limekilns has grown, and grown greatly.

    Feeling that Siloam Springs had given him his start in life. Dr. Brown chose
this pretty little Arkansas city as his home, for there is no fairer region
anywhere among the Ozarks. He purchased a farm a mile west of the town and on
the brow of the plateau he built a big, wide-porched house commanding a fine
view of the surrounding country. While carrying on his work as an evangelist he
never lost sight of the dream of his life and at length his long cherished
ambition came to fruition in the founding of the John E. Brown College, whose
purpose is to help ambitious boys and girls to help themselves. To the home farm
were added two other farms, with their buildings, approximating altogether three
hundred acres of land, most of it highly cultivated. All-this became the
property of the school, together with a herd of about forty Jersey cattle,
horses and mules for working the land, hogs, sheep and poultry, all necessary
farming implements and a fully equipped printing plant, all being free of debt.
Dr. Brown practically impoverished himself and family by the gift, never
doubting that whatever more might be needed would be provided, and he has not
been disappointed, for contributions to this worthy cause have poured in from
all parts of the country. The school buildings are modern and substantial and
the goal of its founder is to make this the greatest industrial college in North
America—a prospect that seems not very remote. The curriculum is not a series of
dreary tasks, to be grumbled over and dodged as far as is possible, but the open
door of opportunity. No student is admitted who is able to pay his way and the
pupil is carefully studied in order to ascertain for what line of work he or she
is best fitted, so that each may be thoroughly equipped for his chosen vocation.
The rudiments of a sound general education are given to all, and then as the
student develops his specialty he is equipped as thoroughly as possible along
that line, the sum of the whole endeavor being to make him the possessor of an
intelligent mind, trained hands and Christian character. Cleanliness of mind and
body are compulsory and the Bible is taught as one of the studies.

    Dr. Brown is the president of the International Federation of Christian
Workers, having been elected eight times to fill that office without a
dissenting vote. This is the largest organization of the kind in the world and
was founded in 1913. He is also president of the State Bible Class and in
addition to serving as president of the John E. Brown School continues his work
as an evangelist. He likewise edits two papers and has become well known as a
writer on religious subjects, being the author of the following . books:
Repentance; Sowing; Reaping; Thinking White; In the Cult Kingdom; Hath God Said;
Foundation of God; Spirit-Filled Life; Fruit of the Spirit.

    In 1901 Dr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Juanita Arrington at
Sallisaw, Oklahoma. Her parents are residents of Ozark. Arkansas, her mother
being a member of the Jeffries family of this state. To this union have been
born five daughters and one son: Jean Elizabeth, a teacher of music in the John
E. Brown College; Julia Helen and Jessie Virginia, who are also identified with
the college work; Mary Jane and Frances Juanita, who are attending school; and
John E., Jr. A man of high ideals, he has utilized practical methods in their
attainment, and his life has been one of great benefit and value to his fellowmen.


Additional Comments:
Citation:
Centennial History of Arkansas
Volume II
Chicago-Little Rock: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company
1922


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