THE FIRST 100 YEARS
OF
SACRAMENTO LODGE No.40
JOHN QUINCY BROWN
John Quincy Brown, one of the
original petitioners of Sacramento Lodge was born in Breckenridge County,
Kentucky, on June 14, 1829, the son of William Bailey Clark Brown and Susan
Alexander (Brown). He received his early education in Kentucky, attending the
Mount Marino Seminary, a branch of Beardstown College. Moving with his family
to Lafayette County, Missouri in 1844 he worked on a farm for three years and
then went to Lexington, Missouri, where he clerked in a store. Early in 1850
John started across the plains to California arriving in Hangtown (now
Placerville) on July 27 of that year and commenced mining operations on what
was then known as the Georgia Slide in El Dorado County. In October 1850,
deciding that more money could be made in other occupations, he left for
Sacramento and went into business with the Stanford Brothers. In May, 1852 he
was appointed Deputy County Recorder of Sacramento County and in the fall of
that year was elected on the Whig platform to this position of Public
Administrator and about the same time appointed Notary Public by the Governor.
He served as Public Administrator from October 1, 1852 to October 1, 1853. When
the Sutter Rifles, a military organization, was formed on June 27, 1852, John
was a second lieutenant; becoming a first lieutenant in 1854 and treasurer in
1855. He was also a levee commissioner. In 1853 he married Miss Anna Mary
Williams, the daughter of Joel P. Williams, a prominent mining figure of that period.
Their two children were a daughter who died at the age of six and John Quincy
Brown Jr. His grandson is John Quincy Brown, III, Judge of the Superior Court
of the State of California and for the County of Sacramento. In the fall of
1853 he was nominated for County Recorder on the Whig ticket but was defeated.
He then accepted appointment as Deputy Sheriff, which position he retained
until 1855 when he was elected County Recorder, serving from October 1, 1855 to
October 1, 1857. From 1867 until about 1887, when he moved to San
Francisco, he was connected with the gas industry of Sacramento; being
president of the Sacramento-Woodland Gaslight Company and Superintendent and
Manager of the Sacramento Gas Company. Elected Mayor of Sacramento in March 1881,
John Quincy was re-elected in 1884 serving altogether six years in this public
service. Records show that as Mayor he performed his duties faithfully and
worked earnestly for the progress of Sacramento. In April 1884, appointed
one of the Directors of the State Asylum for the insane at Napa, he continued
to serve until his death. Upon completing his term as Mayor of Sacramento he
moved with his family to San Francisco, having been elected General Manager of
the California State Board of Trade, the first to hold that position. He served
in that capacity until about 1890 when he accepted a position as Inspector of
Gas Meters for the City of San Francisco, which position he was holding at the
time of his death. He was one of the original 21 trustees of Leland Stanford
Jr. University and was present at the official opening of that
institution. He was also present at the driving of the golden spike in the
celebration of the completion of the Central Pacific Railroad at Promintory,
Utah, on May 10, 1869. It was his intention to return to Sacramento at the
expiration of his term of office as Gas Inspector, as he had property interests
here, among which were the Windsor Hotel at 8th and J Streets and a residence
property on H Street, but paralysis of the heart caused his death on December
20, 1892. His funeral service was held in the residence of Mrs. C. B. C. Brown,
corner of 11th and H Streets, Sacramento, on December 27, 1892 under the
auspices of Sacramento Lodge No. 40 and the remains were interred in the City Cemetery.
Brother John Quincy Brown was initiated an Entered Apprentice Mason in
Washington Lodge No. 20, Sacramento on April 7, 1853, passed to the degree of
Fellowcraft on May 5, 1853 and raised to the degree of Master Mason on May 26,
1853. After serving as one of the original petitioners of Sacramento Lodge he
dimitted from Washington Lodge No. 20 on Jan. 5, 1854. He was the first
Secretary of Sacramento Lodge U. D. and the first Junior Deacon of Sacramento
Lodge 40. After his death the following resolution was prepared by a committee
appointed by the Worshipful Master and adopted at the stated meeting of Feb. 3,
1893. "Whereas it has pleased the Great Architect of the Universe in
infinite mercy to remove from our midst our late brother John Q. Brown, one of
the original petitioners of this Lodge, and "Whereas we deem it our
imperative, although melancholy duty to give an expression of the feelings of
deep sorrow produced in our hearts by this sad and afflicting dispensation of
the Supreme Grand Master, therefore be it Resolved: that by the death of John
Q. Brown we have lost an honorable member and devoted friend, the City of
Sacramento, a good and upright citizen, one whose manly and generous
disposition won the love and respect of all. Resolved: that we tender to his
bereaved and afflicted relations our deepest and most heartfelt sympathy in
this their darkest hour of affliction. Resolved: that this preamble and
resolutions be spread upon the records of this Lodge and that a copy be sent to
the bereaved relations of our late brother."
E. J. CROLY, J. W. BOYD, H. D. NASH, Committee.
Transcribed by Sally
Kaleta.
Proofread by Betty
Vickroy.
© 2007 Sally Kaleta.