Draft:Charles J. Brown
Charley Brown | |
|---|---|
 Charley Brown's grave stone; no photograph of Brown himself is known to exist. | |
| Born | August 14, 1845 |
| Died | October 4, 1884 (aged 39) |
| Cause of death | Stomach cancer |
| Resting place |
|
| Other names | Charles J. Brown |
| Children | One daughter |
| Parent(s) | Thomas Brown and Elizabeth Reeves Boarman |
| Relatives | Charles Boarman Harris (cousin) Rear Admiral Charles Boarman (grandfather) Charles Boarman (uncle) |
Charles J. "Charley" Brown (August 14, 1845 – October 4, 1884) was an American Old West lawman, Billiards and Sample Room owner, and farmer. Charley was not only an integral member of the greater Pembina community, but also of the regional history and settlement, as illustrated in the biographical novel, Sheriff Charley Brown, written by his descendant cousin, Charles Harris Walker. *NOTE: Insert footnote connection here - Walker, Charles Harris (August 2007). Sheriff Charley Brown. ISBN 9781424179886.
Early years
Charley's parents were Thomas Brown and Elizabeth Boarman. Thomas was a Hotelier in Berkeley County, West Virginia. *1860 census shows his occupation - cite here*
Charley left home early, to join the Union in the fight between the States. We don't know why, coming from a Confederate state, that he chose to fight for the North, but he did. *move this to next section, once I hear back from relative on early years history...*
Civil War
During the Civil War, although he was from West Virginia which was part of the Confederacy, he joined and fought for the Union.
Prisoner of war
During the Civil War, he was captured and was a POW in the Andersonville Prison, but eventually escaped.
After the War
Fort Pembina
Charley came with the first troops in - Hatch's Battalion - to what would become Fort Pembina, when it was organized in 1870. He was a Sergeant at the time.
Becoming a Law Man
He became Pembina County sheriff in 1875, later becoming a Deputy U.S. Marshal; Brown continued to serve in both capacities until his death in 1884. He also farmed a quarter section along the border about 3 miles west of the present custom house. In addition to being sheriff all of those years, he also ran a saloon with John Kabernagel.
Death
Died from stomach cancer in 1884, at Pembina.
References
- Brown, Curt (April 2, 2015). "Minnesota History: Memories from the tiny town of St. Vincent". Star Tribune.
Further reading
- Walker, Charles Harris, "Sheriff Charley Brown", PublishAmerica, August 2007. ISBN 9781424179886
A book was written about Charles J. Brown's life, by his cousin Charles "Chuck" Harris Walker. Chuck said about the book, "He brought out Eugene Harris (Dr. Harris' brother), Dr. Harris' mother and sisters, as well as his own mother, in 1882. Charley was a cousin of my grandfather.
"What happened in the book actually happened. The names are accurate except for the girl [Marguerite] and her family. The times are accurate, so are the soldiers names and officer names at the Fort. I didn't mention John's wife Hannah in the story, whom I knew very well as a child. The shootings are fact and true, the jail escape is well known. The trips west to recover the teamsters' goods is true and accurate.
"During my high school years I was raised by my Grandfather, Doctor Charles Boarman Harris, and my Grandmother, Katherine. They were very secretive about Charley's daughter, due to their strict, moral standards. However, I did discover that Charley, just prior to his passing, had charged my Grandfather with the final disposition of his assets, the proceeds to be sent to the young girl for her education and use. That was many years ago. At the time of my teens, she would have been nearly 48 years of age.
"Although my grandparents had lost track of her over the years, they often spoke kindly of both she and her Mother. I often heard them express concern over her life, and possible children she may have had."
External links
- Billiongraves gravesite Accessed July 28, 2020
- Charles J. Brown at Find a Grave
- Online Serialized Novel, "Sheriff Charley Brown"
- Thomson, William D., "History of Fort Pembina 1870-1895" (1968). Theses and Dissertations. 2512. Accessed July 31, 2020
Category:1845 births Category:1884 deaths Category:People from Berkeley County, West Virginia Category:People from Pembina County, North Dakota Category:19th-century American people Category:Military personnel of the American Civil War Category:Boarman family