|
|
BROWN, IRA.- Born at Perry sburg, Ohio, in 1835. His father, Ira Brown, a native of New York State, was one
cf the earliest settlers of Ohio. He was the son of Ephraim Brown, who died in the service of the country in the
war of 1812; the famiJy passed through all the experiences incident to early life in the west, making the usual
number of moves from point to point, until finally settling near I)efiance, Ohio, where his father engaged in farming
on an extensive scale. He is now over 90 years of age. Ira Brown, Jr., attended school in Defiance, afterward working
on the farm; when a mere boy he left his home, arriving in Chicago on March 9, 1854. This city had then a population
of about 25,000, and the new arrival had less than $4 in his pocket. Stopping at the American hotel he made himself
useful in minor capacities, and later became night clerk, gradually drifting into the real estate business, for
which he seemed to be especially qualified, and from his boyhood to the present time has been prominently identified
with the real estate business of Chicago and its suburbs. He was the founder of the system which has given homes
to hundreds of thousands of industrious people on what is known as the easy payment or monthly payment plan, and
has built up many of the most thriving and most beautiful of the suburbs. He is a member of the board of trustees
of one of the leading banks, and a large stock holder in the Title & Trust company; has been identified with
many charitable and religious movements; is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Evanston, the suburb
in which he resides, and was one of the trustees of that town. He has been a most liberal donor to the Northwestern
University at Evanston; was the founder and builder of the Ada street church of Chicago; was one of the movers
in inaugurating the famous Desplaines camp meetings; and, although a Methodist, he has done much toward the establisment
of the Independent church, of which Dr. H. W. Thomas is pastor. In politics he has been a republican since he cast
his first vote for John C. Fremont. Ira Brown is through and through a secret society man, belonging to the Masons,
Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Encampment and Du Page Valley Council of the National Union. He went to Salt Lake
city and instituted the first K. of P. lodge of Utah territory in 1872. He loves fast horses and his barn in Wheaton
contains many blooded animals of value. Has one child, a daughter, 16 years of age; is recognized as an able, conscientious
and energetic citizen, and a typical Chicagoan. He has never lacked faith in the future of this city, and has done
much toward its upbuilding,
FROM:
The Handbook of Chicago Biography
Edited by John J Flinn.
The Standard Guide Company
Chicago 1893
|
NAVIGATION
Cook County
Biographies
Names A to B
Names C to G
Names H to M
Names N to Z
Online
Biographies
Illinois
Histories
Michigan
Histories
New York
Histories
Also see [ Railway Officials in America 1906
] NEW
Privacy Policy for
OnlineBiographies
|