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Note: Durand family bible: He was born January 12th, 1866 in E'Town,NY George L. Brown The Great Editor of the Universe has signed "30," the newspaper man's signal of "The End," and called upon George L. Brown to lay down his pen for all eternity. A trenchant pen was that of George Brown. Its weekly message was carried to newspaper readers throughout the county he loved. It made for him a warm corner in the heart and a hearty welcome in hopes for many miles around that beautiful village in "Pleasant Valley." George Brown was a product of that fine old Anglo-Saxon stock which had done so much for the upbuilding of New England. A descendant of that Thomas Brown who came from England in 1638, and in a direct line of Captain Josiah Brown, who marched at the Lexington Alarm in 1775, arid was later one of those actively engaged in the battle of Bunker Hill. As captain of a company, he was one of those who marched to the defense of the Continental Army at Ticonderoga, May 6, 1777, and June 29, 1777. Whether he was struck with the same love for his beautiful lake country as so many of his descendants have been, it is certain that more than a century and a quarter ago Captain Josiah Brown bought land in the town of Lewis, Essex county, and ever since some of his descendants have made their home there. He was the great-grandfather of George L. Brown. Levi Brown, a son of Captain Brown and grandfather, of George Brown, commanded a company at the Battle of Plattsburg in 1814. His father, Levi DeWitt Brown, was supervisor of the town of Lewis in the Civil War days and was active in raising troops for the Union Army. Although a descendant of men who learned the lessons of patriotism at their mothers' knees, George L. Brown was ever a man of peace. He loved the place of his birth with a devotion which almost amounted to a passion. During all the years of his newspaper career his greatest pleasure was writing of the beauties of his adored "Pleasant Valley." During all his years as a newspaper man George L. Brown never wrote a line of which he need be ashamed. He was a clean man and he wrote clean copy. Scandal and gossip had no place In his idea of what should go into the columns of a newspaper. He lived as he wrote. He had the history of the families of Essex county at his finger tips and could trace-them and their connections for generations. He was never so happy as when writing of the progress of some of the people of his beloved Elizabethtown. His townspeople were his friends and he was a friend to them all. He rejoiced with them- in their joys and sympathized and comforted them in their sorrow. No native of Elizabethtown ever wandered so far from home as to be lost to the memory of George Brown. Typical of the country editor of the old school which was founded on personal journalism, George Brown was one of those who always made welcome the "stranger within the gates" of Elizabeth town. Few of, those who have made their summer homes in the village in the past, or even the casual visitor, ever left without making the acquaintance of George Browii.' He had a fund of historical lore, a knack of telling a story, a genial disposition coupled with a background of sterling worth, rigid honesty and a fine upstanding character which set him apart as a man worth knowing and few left Elizabeth town without knowing him and respecting him. Holding many positions of trust, George Brown, kept the faith *to the letter. Whether it was in the schools, the church or the general community affair, he played an .active part. He was more than a citizen in Elizabethtown, he was an institution who could be called upon at any time and. always played his part. He will be sorely missed in the family- circle, in the village and in the Adirondack- Rrecord-Post office where he was known and respected at his true worth. Good bye, old friend. Eternal peace be yours. DEATH:OBIT In the ELIZABETHTOWN RECORD-POST. He died at his camp on the Bouquet river. Author of Pleasant Valley, a history of Elizabethtown, Essex, 1880 Census: George BRUM / Brown Household Male Other Information: Birth Year Birthplace NEW YORK Age 14 Occupation Marital Status S Race W Head of Household Friend BRUM/Brown Relation Brother Father's Birthplace NEW YORK Mother's Birthplace NEW YORK Source Information: Census Place Elizabethtown, Essex, New York Family History Library Film 1254832 NA Film Number T9-0832 Page Number 87B From Genealogical and family history of northern New York Lewis Historical Pub. Co., New York, 1910 Page 340 George Levi, son of Levi DeWitt Brown, was born at Elizabethtown, Essex county, New York, January 12, 1866. He was educated there in the public schools. He has been editor and manager of the Elizabethtown Post, a weekly newspaper of high standing, since January, 1900. In politics he is a democrat. He was appointed postmaster by President Cleveland in 1893 and served until 1898, the office being raised from fourth to third class during his term of office. He has been a member of the board of education for the past fifteen years, and president for two years. He was instrumental in organizing the Elizabethtown board of trade, and served as a member of the Hudson-Fulton celebration commission in 1909. He is a charter member of the New York State Geographic Society, and one of the thirty general councillors of that organization. He has served as trustee of the Baptist church for fifteen years. He was one of the organizers of the Elizabethtown Terminal Railroad Company. He is the author of a valuable history of Elizabethtown. He married, November 6, 1895, Edith Mary Durand, burn at Elizabethtown, April 29, 1874, daughter of Alembert and Mary (Wilcox) Durand. GEORGE L BROWN, EIZABOTTOWN, Veteran Newspaper Man and Historian, Well Known In Essex County George t,. Brown, one of the best known residents of Essex county, died ftt his home in Elizabethtown shortly 'after 10 o'clock Tuesday night, aged 66 years. Mr. Brown was the oldest newspaper man in point of service in Northern-. New York, and as a histor- ^,lan of Essex county and its people he had no equal. Mr. Brawn's" illness had extended over a period of several weeks,, and while it was at first regarded as serious, there was a partial recovery and his host of friends had hoped that his complete recovery would foe speedy and that "Qeorge," as he was known to old and young in his native village, would be spared to the community in which he was one Of the moat prominent figures, but there was a relapse, and death speedily followed. No man knew more of the history of Essex comity than did George Brown, and a part of this knowledge was incorporated in a volume published by ; him In 1905, under the tifte of "Pleasant Valley." George I Lev 1 Brown was born in Ellzabethtown January' 12, 1866. He was the eon of Levi DeWitt Brown who died February 4, 1866, less than a month after the date of his son's birth. As a boy George Brown wrbrked on the home farm and attended the public schools at Elizabethtown. He had gained considerable reputation as a writer and in 1900 was made editor and manager of the Elizabethtown Post conducted by the Livingston estate. * Mr. Brown remained in that capacity until ipOj when the Post was purchased by the Adirondack Record of Au Sable Porks and combined with the latter paper. Mr. Brown continued as the Elizabethtown representative of The Recqrd-Post until the time of his death. ' • Always A. Democrat in politics, Mr. Brown was appointed (postmaster of Elizabethtown by President Cleveland in 1893. He held that office until 1898. He was a member of the Elizabethtown Board of Education for fifteen, years and later was made president of that body. He was instrumental in organizing the Elizabethtown Board of Trade and served as a member pf the Hudson«F^lton celebration commission in 1909. He was a charter member of the New York State Geographical .Society, and one of the thirty general -councillors of that organization. Mr. Brown was a' prolific writer and his Elizabethtown page in The Record- Post was one of tlie naost valuable features of this paper. He served as trustee of the Baptist church for many years and was a, faithful attendant at that church. In 18$5 he married Edith Mary Durand, who, with four children, survive him. The funeral services for Mr. Brown will be held at the Baptist church, .Elizabethtown, tomorrow, Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock. FROM A LIFE.LONG FRIEND OF GEORGE L. BROWN Washington, N. J., j August 31, 1932. Editor Record-Post: The "last take" has been taken off "the hook" by our brother typo-editor; the "proof and copy" has been passed to the proof readers and returned marked "O. Kr" It is the last article the "makeup" lifts to its position in the column and the "form" is ready for the press. Let this be the "winding sheet" that wraps the last, earthly remains of our beloved and respected brother, George Levi Brown. The old mountains and valleys and streams will not bow their lofty heads to greet us as in days past, nor the valleys yield their wild-flower fragrance as in other days; nor the speckled beauties eavort with such enticement again forever. The "stick and rule" has been put in its accustomed'place on the "case" and the day's work is done. Our brother has answered to the call of "Time" by the Great Foreman of the Composing Room, and gone to "sit in the Council" with the Just. His "string" for type set has been "remeasured" and found "correct." Let his requiem now be sung. My acquaintance with George Levi Brown runs back to nearly sixty years, in all of which lapse of time I have held for him unbounded admiration for his loyalty of purpose and straightforwardness of principle unequalled by few at the present day and surpassed by none. Many pleasant hours have we spent in reminiscing on past happenings of such great editors as Greeley, Pana, Bennett and some others whose incidents in life were to him so interesting. He was a promoter of every enterprise for the public good. He loved his fellowman and those with whom he came in daily contact. He possessed a consciousness of spirit that came direct from the heart. "Do unto others as he would have them do by him" was a motto that impressed him strenuously throughout his daily walks of Mfe. His traits of character were miscellaneous and conspicuous for their quality in ail his understandings and dealings with others. He possessed a clear vision of right and wrong, and invariably choose the former in summing up his analysis of important decisions in his own mind. Always steadfast to true friendship, he hewed to the line, let the chips fall where they would. He was a unique figure in the community where he first saw the light of day and on until the mantle of death enshrouded his vision forever. Long will he be remembered by those now in the present walks of this life and those that will follow after. His friendship was a matter to be coveted by those in all stations of life, and once acquired was as true and lasting as .the rockibound bills he so dearly loved to let his thoughts mingle. "Oh, for a clasp of the vanished hand. And the sound of the voice that is still." F. E. MILHOLLAND From: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~hubbard/NNY_index/brown.html George Levi, son of Levi DeWitt Brown, was born at Elizabethtown, Essex county, N.Y., Jan. 12, 1866. He was educated there in the public schools. He has been editor and manager of the Elizabethtown Post, a weekly newspaper of high standing, since January, 1900. In politics he is a Democrat. He was appointed postmaster by President Cleveland in 1893 and served until 1898, the office being raised from fourth to third class during his term of office. He has been a member of the board of education for the past fifteen years, and president for two years. He was instrumental in organizing the Elizabethtown board of trade, and served as a member of the Hudson-Fulton celebration commission in 1909. He is a charter member of the New York State Geographic Society, and one of the thirty general councillors of that organization. He has served as trustee of the Baptist church for fifteen years. He was one of the organizers of the Elizabethtown Terminal Railroad Company. He is the author of a valuable history of Elizabethtown. He married, Nov. 6, 1895, Edith Mary Durand, born at Elizabethtown, April 29, 1874, daughter of Alembert and Mary (Wilcox) Durand. Children, born at Elizabethtown: 1. Edith Lovina, born Aug. 15, 1896. 2. Analita Augusta, Feb. 27, 1899. 3. Thomas Augustus, May 8, 1902. 4. Helen Durand, May 6, 1907. [transcriber's note: since this material was published in 1910, any additional children this couple may have had are not listed]. DEATH:OBIT IN THE ELIZABETHTOWN RECORD-POST. HE DIED AT HIS CAMP ON THE BOUQUET RIVER.
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