Windsor

BROWN, Adna

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, pp 44-45 
(portrait p 45)

Adna BROWN, of Springfield [Windsor County, Vermont], was born 11 December 
1828 in Antrim [Hillsborough County], New Hampshire, son of Isaac and Sarah 
(FLAGG) BROWN. A pupil of the common schools of his birthplace, he left home 
at the age of sixteen to battle with the world. First entering a woolen mill 
to learn the trade; gave this up; served his apprenticeship as a machinist. 
Rising rapidly, he successively became foreman, then superintendent, and 
finally master in the Parks & Woolson Machine Company, of which he is now the 
president and general manager. In this position Mr. BROWN has furnished many 
improvements in cloth-finishing machinery, and is the holder of many valuable 
patents covering the same. He is also president and managing director of the 
Jones & Lamson Machine Company, especially prominent as the builder of the 
Hartness flat turret lathe. He organized the Springfield Electric Light 
Company; and is president of the Brown Hotel Company, chartered under the 
laws of the state in 1892, which has erected a handsome brick hotel, named in 
his honor, "The Adna-brown." He is the presiding officer of the local board 
of trade and of the Black River Railroad Company.

Mr. BROWN is a staunch and active Republican, and though never seeking 
office, has filled many positions of trust both in town and county; in 1882 
was sent to the Legislature; in 1890 was a state senator; was one of 
Vermont's delegates to the national Republican convention in Minneapolis in 
1892, and was a member of the committee which drafted the platform for the 
party in the campaign of that year; and in 1893 received the appointment of 
state World's Fair commissioner from Governor FULLER. Congregationalist in 
belief; does not confine his religion to the church, but carries his 
Christianity beyond its doors; is well known for his active benevolence and 
interest in all worthy enterprises.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly