WI BIO - Dane Co - BROWN, Timothy
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893. Vol II, pp 317-319

Although Timothy BROWN died more than 12 years ago, his death is still fresh 
in the memories of the citizens of Madison, Dane County, WI, as the entire 
community suffered a loss. One of the wealthiest men in central WI, Mr. 
BROWN died suddenly at his beautiful home, No. 116 East Gilman [Gorham?] 
Street, on 15 Nov 1879. He had performed the regular routine of duties of 
his daily business up to within a few days of his death, from apoplexy, after 
lingering in an unconscious state for 48 hours. His death was a sad shock 
not only to his immediate family, but also to the entire community with which 
he had been so long identified, and by which he was so well known and highly 
respected. The prominent points in his biographical memoir have been 
extracted from a sketch written at the time of his death, by the late General 
David ATWOOD.

Timothy BROWN was born at Elbridge, Onondaga County, NY, 24 Jul 1823. His 
father, M. BROWN, Esq., was a native of Hadley, Saratoga County, NY, and was 
the son of Timothy and Betsey (MONROE) BROWN, both natives of MA, and both of 
Quaker ancestry. Timothy and Betsey BROWN removed from MA to Hadley, NY, at 
an early day, and were closely identified with the latter place most of their 
lives. They were prominent pioneer settlers, and lived at Hadley through the 
period of the Revolutionary War. Mr. BROWN was a soldier in that war. He 
was by occupation a tiller of the soil, and died when full of years, highly 
respected by the entire community in which he lived. Both he and his wife 
died in the Presbyterian faith. Mrs. BROWN was the daughter of Esquire and 
Mary MONROE. M. BROWN, Esq., was born at Hadley, Saratoga County, NY, in 
1799, grew to manhood an industrious farmer boy, and settled in Elbridge, 
Onondaga County, NY, when that county was new, and at once assumed a 
prominent position in the newly forming community. He frequently represented 
his town on the County Board, and also his district in the Legislature. He 
was a practical agriculturalist and died at an advanced age, highly respected 
by all who knew him. He [M. BROWN, Esq.] was married in Onondaga County, NY, 
to Miss Lydia PARKMAN, who was also born and chiefly reared in Hadley, NY. 
She was the daughter of Frederick and Hannah PARKMAN, of New England 
ancestry, and prominent people in Elbridge, Onondaga County, NY, where they 
spent their last years, dying at an advanced age. They were prominent 
members of the Presbyterian Church. Their daughter, Lydia, after reaching [p 
318] womanhood and marrying Mr. BROWN, was a good wife and mother, and a 
devoted Christian, and thus it appears that the ancestry of Timothy BROWN, on 
both sides of his family, were all highly respected and Christian people. 

When a lad, Timothy BROWN worked on his father's farm and received an 
academic education. At the age of 17 he began life for himself. He had from 
early childhood manifested extraordinary business qualifications, was always 
ready to trade and always had something to sell. While yet in his teens he 
took a position in a country store as clerk, at Jordan, NY, near Syracuse 
[Onondaga County], which was owned by George A. MASON, who had married his 
eldest sister. In this position young BROWN remained some two or three 
years, receiving but small pay, but saving his earnings with great care. He 
then accepted a position as bookkeeper in the Bank of Salina. His strict 
attention to business soon won him promotion, and he became at first teller 
and then cashier of that strong banking institution. By his frugality he 
accumulated some means while in this bank, and in 1855, having received 
inducements from his lifelong friend, N. B. VAN SLYKE, Esq., that promised a 
better return for his labor, he resigned his position as cashier of the Bank 
of Salinas and removed to Madison, WI, where he continued to reside until his 
death. Here he became cashier of the old Dane County Bank, and a large 
stockholder in the institution. He remained in that position until 1864, 
when the affairs of the bank were wound up, chiefly through his own efforts, 
though not without opposition, and the First National Bank was organized upon 
its remains. Of this First National Bank Timothy BROWN became cashier and 
one of the its largest stockholders. He afterward sold a portion of his 
stock, resigned his position as cashier, and was for a few years vice 
president of the institution, which was then and is today one of the largest 
banking houses in the West.

In his later years Timothy BROWN devoted much of his time to his large 
outside investments in realty, of which he held large blocks in Madison, and 
at the time of his death he was one of the wealthiest citizens of Madison. 
His business experience, wise counsel, and broad ideas were of great 
importance and value to the management of the bank, which had grown up under 
his fostering care. In 1870 Mr. BROWN became the owner of a large portion of 
the stock of the Gas Company, and from that time until his death he had 
almost exclusive control of the institution. He took a deep interest in its 
management, and built it up to be one of the most prominent enterprises in 
the city. For about 20 years he was a director in the Madison Fire Insurance 
Company. He was a member of the executive committee all the time, and its 
treasurer for many years. He was also connected with many other business 
enterprises in Madison, among them the Madison Manufacturing Company, and was 
of material service in promoting their prosperity. Whenever extensive 
business experience, sound judgment, and clear thought were necessary, Mr. 
BROWN was always found efficient and valuable.

He was of retiring habits, and was entirely free from ambition for political 
preferment. He always declined being a candidate for official position. The 
life of Timothy BROWN was purely a business one, as he was remarkably quick 
and accurate in all the details of his work. Everything was kept in a clear 
and methodical manner, nothing being left to chance. Being of such careful 
and systematic habits, Mr. BROWN acquired a large fortune, [p 319] which he 
left at his death in the shape of business blocks, dwelling houses, stocks, 
bonds, etc., all of which is being carefully managed and made profitable by 
his widow and two sons, the latter of whom possess much of the business 
ability, skill and tact of their deceased father.

Socially Timothy BROWN was a remarkably pleasant gentleman. He was no what 
is generally understood as a society man, as he rather shrank from crowded 
parlors and assemblies, but in the midst of a small circle of intimate 
friends he was extremely agreeable. He was ever kind to all in distress or 
who needed assistance, and there are many instances in the city of Madison 
where his wealth has been the means of quietly making happy those in need. 
These services were always performed without show or ostentation. Mr. BROWN 
was opposed to everything that looked like display in doing good. He was a 
Republican in politics, and while not a member of any church, usually 
attended the Congregational Church in Madison.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly