James M. Brown papers, 1851-1925

James M. Brown (1844-1922) was born in Lincoln County, Missouri, on January 6, 1844, to James Brown (1814-1887) and Lucinda Davis (died 1872). In 1846, the Brown family traveled overland with members of the Donner Party, then continued along the Oregon Trail. After arriving in Oregon, the Brown family received 640 acres near Silverton under a donation land claim. James M. Brown married Edna Eastham (1850-1936), and they had four children. Brown served as a notary public and justice of the peace, and later as president of the Interurban Telephone Company, which was incorporated in 1908. His son Percy L. Brown (1876-1934), who had attended Willamette University and graduated from the Oregon Institute in 1896, served as secretary and manager of the company. Percy L. Brown also served as mayor of Silverton from 1911-1912, was active in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and was a partner with his brother Carl M. Brown in an electric light plant and waterworks in Silverton.