James
A. Brown, the genial proprietor of the Depot Stables, San Rafael, where
fashionable turnouts and lively roadsters are always to be had at reasonable
rates, is a native of the old Buckeye State, born in Licking county, August 7,
1846, the fourth of eleven children born to James and Dorothy (Gissell) Brown,
the former a native of Virginia, the latter of Ohio. The genealogy on both sides is traceable back to the early
colonial history of America. The
parents are both living and reside in the city of Oakland. Our subject removed with his parents to the
State of Iowa when but nine years of age, where he was reared and
educated. In 1871 he came to
California, locating at Gilroy for a period of four years, and the five years
following his headquarters were at San Jose, he being a commercial
traveler. Later he engaged in the
undertaker’s business at Marysville for two years, and in 1882 built a stable
and conducted the livery business n Oakland until 1887, when he permanently
located at San Rafael and established his present business. Aside from this Mr. Brown has also other
business, namely, real estate in most of the prominent cities in
California. Politically he is allied
with the Democratic party and takes an active interest in school matters.
He
was joined in marriage at San Rafael, October 26, 1887, to Mrs. M. Louise
Fronk, a native of Ohio and daughter of William McKinney, and was prominently
identified with the progressive element of this State. He lost his life by accident during a
sojourn in the State of Ohio. Mr. Brown
is a man of good address and pleasing manners, and has the respect of a large
circle of friends.
Mr.
McKinney crossed the plains to California in 1849 and brought with him a herd
of thoroughbred horses. He was also the
owner of the famous Grey Eagle horse.
After his death his widow sold him for a good price, and he was
afterward sold to Highland Stock Farm in Boston for between $10,000 and
$15,000. Mr. Brown made a fortune while
in California by loading large teams with provisions for Pike’s Peak. His widow, Mrs. L. M. McKinney, is now a
resident of San Rafael.
Transcribed by
Donna L. Becker
Source: "The
Bay of San Francisco," Vol. 1, pages 601-602, Lewis Publishing Co, 1892.
©
2004 Donna L. Becker.