Wm. Brown was for eighteen years, from 1822 to 1840, a merchant and general business man in West Carlisle, of which town he was one of the original proprietors.  He was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania; spent a few years, before coming to Coshocton county, at S. Clairsville, Belmont county.  His parents were from Germany, spelling their name Braun.  his wife was Scotch-Irish.  By the combination of the virtues of the two races, the browns won for themselves great consideration in  their neighborhood, and, though starting in their wedded life with very little, amassed quite a respectable fortune.  Mr. Brown was for many years a justice of the peace and postmaster under Monroe, J. Q. Adams, Jackson, and van Buren, although he was very decided Adams and Clay man.  He was an excellent horseman, and skilled in the use of the rifle, and these things helped him greatly in the state of society found in his day in the region of West Carlisle.  In public movements and proper sports, he was never lacking, and was often recognized as a leader, and made the object of a good deal of "backwoods homage."

And yet, with all his activity in business and interest in the social life of the people, Mr. Brown is represented as having been a very earnest and faithful man in his religious duties.  Family worship was on no excuse intermitted; the Sabbath was sacredly regarded; and when, as before and after a communion in the church, there was preaching, the store was shut, although he loved business, and avowed his intention to give himself steadily to it, and to make money for his family.  His house was the "minister's hold," and he was one of the most active members of the Presbyterian church from its organization, contributing largely of his means to it, and especially in the erection of the building still in use by the congregation.

In 1840, he removed to Logansport, Indiana, and there died March 4, 1859.  His wife, inheriting a considerable estate from her father, gave it all to foreign missions.  One of the sons, Wm. L. Brown, Acting Brigadier-General of the Indiana Infantry, was killed at the second battle of Bull Run.  Three sons became Presbyterian ministers.  J.C., who died while pastor at Valparaiso, Indiana; Hugh A. was a missionary to China, and has been for many years pastor of the church in Virginia; and Frederick T. (the only child born in Coshocton county, and who even yet glories in being a Buckeye), who had charge of a church in Cleveland, then of one in Alexandria, D.C., then was in St. Paul, Minn., and is now at Ann Arbor, Mich.

Source:  Historical Collections of Coshocton County Ohio 1764-1876
Author: William E Hunt, pub. 1876