San
Joaquin County
Biographies
MILES JOSHUA BROWN
Visitors to Tracy, shoppers,
farmers, ranchers, and others, find at Central Avenue and Seventh Street the
splendidly appointed establishment conducted by the Tracy Mercantile Company,
doing a general department store business, catering to all lines of patronage
and handling merchandise that meets all requirements. The business is handled under the supervision
of Miles Joshua Brown, a widely experienced merchant, who was one of the
founders fo the
establishment, giving that personal attention to details that has won
success. A native of California, he was
born at Turlock on October 3, 1878 a son of Richard and Phoebe Elida (Cowell) Brown. The father was born in Illinois and when a
young man crossed the plains with ox teams to California, settling at French
Camp, San Joaquin County; here he married Miss Cowell, a sister of Joshua
Cowell, known as the “father of Manteca,” that prosperous center in the South
San Joaquin Irrigation District; later, in 1872, they removed to Turlock where
they engaged in farming.
Miles Joshua attended the schools of
Turlock and when he became old enough began ranching on his own account near
Vernalis, San Joaquin County; later on he became a grain dealer and in time
built up an extensive grain brokerage business on the West Side, which he has
successfully operated for many years. In
April, 1916 upon his removal to Tracy, he purchased an interest in the general
merchandise business known as the Tracy Mercantile Company. Special departments are devoted to dry goods,
clothing, and furnishing goods, shoes and hats, groceries, and cured meats,
while the farm and agricultural implement department is well stocked to meet
all demands of farmers and ranchers of the Tracy and West Side sections. Light hardware is another specialty of the house. Courteous and attentive clerks who know their
business are prompt to serve in this well-conducted store.
Mr. Brown’s marriage united him with
Miss Pearl Graves, a daughter of Mrs. Eliza Graves, who resides at
Vernalis. Her father, the late N. H. Graves,
was an honored pioneer of the county.
Mr. and Mrs. Brown are the parents of two children, Hazel and
Vance. Mr. Brown takes an active
interest in the affairs of the Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the
Native Sons of the Golden West. His real
estate holdings in the county are extensive.
He is counted among the most successful grain farmers and stockraisers
in the section east of Tracy.
Transcribed by V. Gerald Iaquinta.
Source: Tinkham, George
H., History of San Joaquin County, California , Page
1356. Los Angeles, Calif.: Historic
Record Co., 1923.
© 2011 V. Gerald Iaquinta.
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