Lorenzo Dow (10/16/1777—2/2/1834)
LORENZO DOW BROWNE was born to Martin and Susannah [McAllister] Browne in Mason County, Va., 3 March 1822. Lorenzo Dow, his namesake, is listed by the Encyclopedia Americana as a famous Methodist preachert who made the circuits in the early part of the 19th century. Dow must have been charismatic as I have come across several of that name in searching records. It appears in later Browne generations as well.
Lorenzo Dow (10/16/1777—2/2/1834)
“L.D.” Browne emigrated with his parents to Madison County, Indiana in 1829. He married Nancy Harlan 21 May 1843 in Hancock County, Indiana. He died 4 March 1887 in Watseka, Iroquois County, Illinois.
Wife Nancy was born to Stephen and Mary Sparks Harlan in Fayette County, Indiana, 22 February 1824. Nancy died 23 August 1895 in Iroquois County, Illinois.
Brown TownshipThrough The Years, 1830–-1976, by Ethel R & Victoria M Harlan says: “Stephen Harlan, who migrated with his family from the Connersville area, Fayette County, Indiana, in 1834, learned the milling business thoroughly there in the noted Whitewater Mill which was patronized at a very early day by Hancock County’s pioneers. Probably Mr. Harlan’s business contacts with those pioneers encouraged him to migrate to Brown Township [Hancock Co.] and to build a grist mill. The first year after Mr. Harlan and his family moved to Brown Township and entered practically all the land in section 22, he erected the first mill in the township. He was both miller and millwright—-one who plans, builds, or repairs mills and mill machinery.
His first mill, of the ‘corn cracker’ variety, was situated on his own land southeast of where Harlan cemetery is located. The mill was propelled by an undershot water wheel. The building was made of poles covered with clapboards and was considered the most up-to-date mill in Hancock County. It was operated until 1852. At that time Mr. Harlan gave the mill building to his daughter Nancy and her husband Lorenzo Brown who converted it into a dwelling and lived in it for several years. Mr Harlan immediately erected a larger and better mill, one-fourth mile distant, which was propelled by an overshot wheel. Sugar Creek was flat and shallow at this point and the race could not be kept within its banks in times of high water. Also, during a dry season, the water was insufficient to propel the wheel. In spite of these problems, the mill was kept in operation for ten years....
Stephen Harlan and his son-in-law, Lorenzo Brown, in 1855 erected a steam sawmill near the Harlan Grist Mills and operated it successfully for about ten years.”
The map in op cit shows 88 acres adjoining 144 of Stephen Harlan in section 22 that was the property given to Lorenzo & Nancy by Stephen Harlan. The town of Warrington is the closest settlement.
“We do not know how long the Brownes owned the land. In our time owners have been Armstrongs, Friddles, and Mummerts. Now part of the farm, about 68 acres, is owned by our brother Steve Harlan and the rest, 20 acres, is owned by Steve’s daughter and husband, who purchased it in 1977, tore down the old house, and last year erected an English Tudor home there. Joseph and Jennifer (Harlan) Swindell live there and Joe has a farm implement sales business on ten acres of the land.”
[letter dated 22 June 1980 from Ethel R. Harlan]
Their children were:
born married died
William S. 3/2/44 IN Kizzie Frame 8/19/1911
John H. 1/9/46 IN 2/10/46
Sarah J. 1/1/47 Iven Bailey
George N. 1/2/49 Ethelinda L. Ford 11/15/18
Robert W. 5/2/51 IN Jane Gillfillan ?/9/1920
Lorenzo Demetrius 8/1/58 Irene G. McCurtain
Susan Ann 3/3/56 Dr. William Gable 1/5/1918
Nancy (Maud) 3/23/58 --Williams
Garrett B. 3/7/60 Minnie Girard
Owen E. 3/14/62 Lizzie A. Banard
Della H. 8/27/64
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William & George
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George & Lindy-wedding
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George & Lindy
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Della & Susan
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Frankie, Glendora, Della ca 1937
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Garrett & Minnie
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