Joseph Sinclair Brown was born in Kentucky in June 1870. His parents, Benjamin Franklin Brown and Judith Morris Brown, were also born in Kentucky. Joseph probably arrived in Lincoln about 1890 or 1891 as he is listed in the Lincoln City Directory as a student at the Lincoln Business College in 1891 and 1892. 

In 1893 Joseph becomes Assistant Manager of the Inter-State Newspaper Company, which was located at 1118 M Street. The Inter-State Newspaper published the Denton Record in addition to several other area newspapers. Joseph was Assistant Manager for only one year, as he became manager of the newspaper company in 1894.

Joseph became a Mason and was initiated into Lancaster Lodge #54 on Dec 14, 1894. He received his Fellowcraft Degree on Jan 14, 1895. On Feb 22, 1895, he was raised to a Master Mason. 

Jan 15, 1896, Joseph Brown married Amy [Edith] West. Joseph was 25 years old and Amy was 23 years. It was a quiet wedding in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Homer West at 1418 F Street. Rev. Lewis Gregory performed the ceremony. After the wedding the "company partook of a sumptuous wedding feast." The bride wore a dress of white silk trimmed in pearls and real lace. Amy carried a bouquet of crimson rose buds. The Nebraska State Journal stated, "Mr. Brown is one of Lincoln's bright young businessmen as is shown by the responsible position which he holds as business manager of the Inter-State Newspaper union." The newly weds spent four weeks traveling to Chicago, Galesburg and other eastern cities. (From: Nebraska State Journal, Sunday, Jan 19, 1896, page 4, column 2.) 

* The original article is copyright © 2002 by Kathie Harrison for Southwest-Lancaster County Genealogical Society & the Denton Historical Society of Nebraska. The additions and corrections entered in brackets in the main text and Howard G. Aylesworth, Jr. compiled footnoted material. Footnoted sources are: Marion Aylesworth Murch (formerly Marion Brown Aylesworth; nee, Marion West Brown; and also known as “Moo Moo” by her grandchildren and great grandchildren) and family documents. 

The 1900 Nebraska Census shows Joseph Brown and his family living in Lancaster County, 5th Ward. Joseph is head of the family; 28 years old and married for 4 years. His occupation is listed as a publisher and he owned his own home. Amy Brown, his wife, is 26 years old. Amy was born January 1872 in Illinois. Amy's father was born in Illinois and her mother was born in New York. Harley F. Brown, son of Joseph and Amy, is 5 years old and was born April 1895. 

The 1910 Nebraska Census lists Joseph as the Publisher of a newspaper. Harley is now 15 years old. Mrs. Homer West, Amy's mother, is living with them. She is 69 years old and a widow. Anna Burk, 21 years old, is living with the family. Her occupation is listed as a servant. 

The 1920 Nebraska Census lists Joseph as Publisher of a newspaper. Joseph and Amy now have a 4-year-old daughter named Mari[o]n W. Mari[o]n was born in Nebraska and attended school. Lydia Finkey, 27 years, is living with the family and is listed as a roomer and as a stenographer for a lawyer. 

Amy Brown dies in February 1921. Her funeral was Monday, February 7, 1921, at the family home at 1448 B Street. Dr. W.W. Bolt, of Plymouth Congregation Church, conducted the service and Miss Lenore Buckett sang. The pallbearers were J.A. Richenbach, Colonel F.D. Edger, Colonel J.P. Bratt, C.F. McCain, Edward E. Gustin, and M.L. Williams. She was buried at Wyuka Cemetery. (From: The Lincoln Sunday Star, February 6, 1921, page 2, Columns 1 & 2.) 

The 1924 Lincoln City Directory shows that Joseph has married Marion O. Marion came to Nebraska in 1890 from Illinois, where she taught school as a young woman. She taught in the Schuyler Schools and then moved to Minnesota, where she taught at Virginia, in the iron regions of northern Minn. She returned to Nebraska when she married Joseph in 1924. She was a member of the First Plymouth Congregational Church. 

In 1927 Joseph is no longer working for the Inter-State Newspaper. He is now Department Manager of the McKelvie Publishing Company, which was located at 1400 P Street. 

[One Saturday in 1932] Marion and Joseph went to the theater and after returning had sat on the porch visiting. When Marion retired for the evening she complained of severe pains in her head and lapsed into unconsciousness. She suffered a paralytic stroke and died Mon, Sept 19, 1932, at the family home at 1448 B Street. Her survivors were listed as her husband, Joseph; a daughter, Marion, at home; a son, Harley, of Los Angeles; a sister Mrs. Clara Colvin, of Sparta, Minnesota; and a brother, Thomas West, of Galesburg, Illinois. The newspaper stated, "Mr. Brown, a prominent pioneer resident of Lincoln, is head of the legal advisory department of the McKelvie Publishing Company.” Funeral services for Marion were held Wednesday, Sept 21 at Robert's Chapel. Rev. Ben F. Wyland officiated at the service. She was buried in Wyuka Cemetery. (From Lincoln Star, Mon, Sept 19, 1932, p 1, c 7, and Tues, Sept 20, 1932, p 12, c 6.) 

In 1938 Joseph S. Brown retired from McKelvie Publishing Company. 

In 1939 the Lincoln City Directory lists Loretta M. as Joseph's wife. They resided at 1448 B Street. 

Joseph received his 50-year membership medal from the Masons in 1945. On Oct 31, 1958, he received the Bronze Jordan Medal for the oldest living member of Masonic Lancaster Lodge #54, which he retained until his death. 

May 1960 … Joseph's third wife, Loretta, died. She was a member of the First Plymouth Congregational Church. Rev. Paul C. Johnston conducted the funeral and Mary Alice Macy was the accompanist. Survivors included her husband, Joseph; daughter Mrs. Charles Wilpan of Los Angeles; sister, Mrs. John Hollingsworth of Lincoln. Loretta's memorials were used to create a bed of roses in her memory at the Capitol City Rose Garden. (From: Lincoln Star, May 30, 1960, page 9, column 7 and May 31, 1960, page 14, column 7.) 

Joseph died June 12, 1966, in Wilmette, Illinois [eight days shy of his 96th birthday]. He was a member of the First Congregational Church for 50 years. Survivors included his daughter, Mrs. Howard Aylesworth of Wilmette, Illinois; and one granddaughter. [ix] His service included Masonic rites. He was buried at Wyuka Cemetery. 

Notes 

Marion Brown Aylesworth gives the following account. Benjamin F. Brown (b. May 5, 1832, d. October 22, 1905) and Judith Morris (b. 1836, d. 1892) were married in Russellville Kentucky. Judith Morris was the niece of Robert Morris, a financial backer of the Revolutionary War. He was a political participant during the formation of the Republic and was present during the framing of the Constitution. Of their thirteen children ten lived: John Loren (had children); Hiram Allen (a doctor, son is Claude Brown); Sarah Louise (married a Baugham); Cynthia (married a Simms, son Claude, Pacific Grove); William Thomas Claudius (died at birth); Harriett (married Ben Thornburg); Joseph Sinclair (b. June 20, 1870); Nancy (married an Ogden, Portland OR); Mary Winston (“Molly”, married a Norris, Armstrong MO); Margaret (married a Hensel, California in 30’s); Zantippa Julizanne (“Tippy”, married Frank Theobald, Fort Collins CO). Although they owned slaves they did not support slavery and were associated with the underground railway during the Civil War period. This, and perhaps their activities during Reconstruction, was the basis for being asked to leave Kentucky. 

In March 1961, now living with his daughter and family in Grand Rapids MI, “Joe” Brown wrote the following letter to his nephew Claude. The original text is: 

“It was on Oct. 31, 1879 we left Kentuckey. I was nine years old. I clearly recall the wagon all packed and ready for ten of us to get in and move on. in our back yard was a large Coffee tree making wonderful shade, under which sat my Grandfather, a rather stern quiet man who was emotionally shaken by seeing us go knowing he would never see us again. He died about a year later at age 72. 

“The real cause of Dads going west was little Joe. I had been suffering with the ague for months. Every other day it would attack me and I was about skin and bone. It left me when we got to Kansas, at which time a slice of bacon cooked at the campfire blaze on a green stick was wonderful eating. 

“Getting into Nebraska the first thing that got me were a half dozen Indians setting on a bench in front of a store. As I remember Beatrice it had perhaps a population of about 600, with just one main street. 

“We got into Western about sundown that evening. I destincly recall one rather larger house over to the extreme Eatr side. I believe it was where the Thornburg boys Father lived. at that time thier was only one store, and to call it a store would be rather flatering it as the big end of the business was seling whiskey. It was located where Sawers Bank building and owned by Mr. Billie Bench. 

“Well it was now getting almost dusk, but on we went two miles North, one mile West, one mile north, then just one half mile West. On the left side of the road was Uncle Binks home where all ten of us piled out to be welcomed by our good Uncle Sinclair and Aunt Mary. Oh how I did love them. Where they put us away at nite I do not know, and we were thier for a few days. 

“In a few days we all moved to a place Uncle had rented for us which is two miles North of Western and one mile Weast and the house was about a quarter mile South on the East side of the road about three city blocks from the Kasbler home. 

“And right here was the tragiday of my life. Mother and Father had gone to your Fathers house to be away a few hours leaving us children to care for things. So we thot we would have some popcorn. Well the stovepipe went through the second floor with a sort of protector to hold it from the wood, but we got the pipe hot and it didn’t protect. 

“The house burned down with every thing we had in the World but what we had on our backs. But thier were good people around thier than as they are to day, and they came in force in a few days they had built two sod houses, and they were realy very comfortable. at any time in my life when I thot I had trouble I only had to think of Mom & Dads faces at the time they were looking at that hole in the ground with every thing the had in ashes and my troubles soon vanished. 

“Most folks around Western were poor as the word implies, but we were dreadfully poor. These Trade Union guyes we are suporting right now (so they can have thier beer) are rich as compared to my Dad left without a dollar and a big family to suport. It was hard for young folks to get work. My oldest sister had a job as (hired girl) with a family for a dollar and a half a week. Her saving from that went down in the fire. 

My second sister got a job to teach in the Laudenslacher district. I believe she boarded with them five days a week. Wage $25 dollars a month. I don’t know what she paid for board, but I am sure it was very reasonab as she thot a lot of the family. If I am not mistaken they are sorter related to Lena. We made the trip in just 31 days 1500 miles, which was said to be very good. 

“Of course we had to have something to burn to keep us warm that following winter. Had no money for cole & so it was dead wood as thier were, and thin out where trees were crouding using his own judgment as to the thining process. In that way we got our wood and kept warm. 

“It was good of Mr. Eable and I took the occasion to tell him so when he was on the excurism to the North west with the Nebraska Farmer. I had a part in conducting that excursion. I also told him what nice folks you and Lena were, & ‘ bygoley ‘ he agreed with me. It was also on that trip I was sworn in as a member of the tribe of Black Foot indians by Chief Two Gun Whitecap. I have his picture in my room right now with me so I consider myself part Indian and respect the history of my tribe and very much dislike Setting Bull who by help from another tribe drove my people from the good grass & Bufal country into the hills of Montana. It was a dirty trick. 

“Your Father came to Nebr. about six months before we did he lived as I remember about three miles west and one mile nother on what I remember become the Jack Sims farm. it was east of Old Joe [??]kanies Section one mile the north side of the road. One thing I can recall, he became so confiding to the GOOD neighbor and thereby lost a nice cured smoked ham that was in a cave not far from his house. He DIDN’T like it but he did not have absolute proof, or their would have been a hair puling. Good thing as you know he didn’t have too much to take a chance on loosing. 

“Well Claude I needed a little practice and that is all the cause of this preamble. It don’t read very pretty but it’s the truth in so far as I remember, and I could go on & on and could be a little more optimistic. The say one shouldn't think back, but when there is no special reason for looking forward to me thinking back I find a pleasure by just skipping the bad spots. And if you get any thing out of this rabble it’s worth writing, and good practice. Joe” 

As for the errors in the letter, now 91 years old, Joseph was an educated and articulate man typing with poor eye sight and with only one hand suitable to the task. According to Marion Aylesworth Grandpa Brown’s father had owned a lumber business and Joseph worked there hoping one day to manage it. One day a log got jammed on the sluceway leading to the circular ripping saw by which the logs were cut into planks. Seeing the operator was about to be injured as the saw sprang backward, Joseph reached and pulled him away. In the process he lost the four fingers on his left hand. 

From the “The Denton Record” website: 

“The 1893 Lincoln City Directory lists Joseph Sinclair Brown as assistant manager of the Inter-State Newspaper Company … [He] became Manager of the newspaper company by 1894.” 

“American Newspaper Annual and Directory by N.W. Air & Sons, Volume 1920, reports … The Interstate Newspaper Company printed … the following newspapers: Advance, [in] Alvo; Courier, [in] Ceresco; Mirror, [in] Davey; Record, [in] Denton; Herald, [in] Garland; Gazette, [in] Greenwood; Nebraska State Democrat, [in] Lincoln; Messenger, [in] Malcolm; Leader, [in] Martel; Review, [in] Raymond; and Watchman, [in] Waverly. In 1920 The Inter-State Newspaper had a circulation of 8,160 for the eleven newspapers they published.” 

Joseph S. Brown recounted that one of his major objectives was to increase the circulation of the papers. During his tenure he established the policy of politicians paying for advertising in his newspapers. Although they bridled against this, they needed the papers to convey their message to the people of Nebraska. 

Harley was Joseph Brown’s nephew, one of four children of Hiram Brown and Margaret. When Hiram died Margaret could not care for the four children. Joseph and Amy offered to adopt one of them with the understanding Margaret would retain all the privileges of motherhood. 

The following text was in the original article but is placed here to emphasize the chronology of Joseph Brown’s life. 

“In 1912 Harley was a student at the University of Nebraska and was living with his parents at 1448 B Street. In 1913 Harley was a student at Lincoln Business College. Harley returned to the University of Nebraska and was a student from 1914-1916 where he graduated from Teachers College. In 1917 Harley was working for Rudge and Guenzel Company while still living at home with his parents on B Street. Rudge and Guenzel Company sold clothing, hardware and furniture and the business was located at 1021-1045 ‘O’ Street and 121 S 11th Street. Harley only worked at this job for one year as he became a soldier in 1918 and went to fight in World War I. … [He] moved to Calif after serving in World War I. June 1959, Harley died in Reseda, Calif. The newspaper reports that Harley was a member of the A. T. O. [fraternity] and the American Legion. His survivors are listed as his wife, Anona; father, Joseph S. Brown, of Lincoln; and sister, Mrs. Marion Aylesworth, of Grand Rapids, Michigan. (From: Lincoln Star, June 6, 1959, page 13, column 8.) “ 

Marion Aylesworth Murch states Anna was her nanny. 

Marion Oliver West was the sister of Amy Edith West, Joseph Brown’s first wife. 

The Lincoln City Directory reports, “Joseph continued as manager of the Interstate Newspaper Company until 1926. Joseph S. Brown left the Inter-State Newspaper Company to go to work for McKelvie Publishing as a Correspondent.” 

The following text was in the original article but is placed here to emphasize the chronology of Joseph Brown’s life. 

“Sam R. McKelvie had an interesting life. He married Martha. Sam started out with the Omaha Bee as an editor. In 1905 Sam became editor of the Nebraska Farmer and in 1907 he purchased the company. He succeeded in building the Nebraska Farmer up to be the leading farm paper in the state. Sam became a distinguished Nebraskan. He pursued three very successful careers--publisher, politics and ranching. His company published the Colorado Rancher and Farmer as well as the Nebraska Farmer. Sam loved politics. He served on the Lincoln City Council for a term in 1908-1909. Then he served in the House of Representatives in the Nebraska State Legislature. In 1912 he was chosen Lieutenant Governor and served from 1913-1915. At the age of 37 years Sam was elected Governor. At that time he was the youngest governor in the nation. He was called ‘Nebraska's Boy Governor.’ He was elected to a second term as governor. As governor, Sam authorized the new state Capitol building. Sam died January 6, 1956.” 

According to Marion Aylesworth Murch, between 1935-37 she worked for former Governor Sam McKelvie as his Personal Assistant. At that time he was head of the Nebraska Republican Party and during the 1936 Presidential Campaign she would accompany him around the Nebraska political circuit and then to the Republican National Convention in Chicago, which she found exciting. She recounts that in addition to her secretarial duties, sometimes while on the circuit she would need to whisper to Sam the names of individuals he could not remember. Grandpa Brown told me that she had a very good head for faces and names, and all the social graces. 

Marion recounts that one day she received a call for Mr. McKelvie from President Hoover saying that he had just gotten into town and would be right over to see him. At the thought of meeting the former President of the United States she got so nervous that all she could think to do was to go into the lavatory and wash her hands. When she came out Mr. McKelvie asked her to sit down. Once seated he looked her in eye and said that the President washes his hands just as she had done; that he was just the same as she was. She had a wonderful time meeting the President who later sent her a copy of his book, which he had autographed. 

In August 1929 Joseph Brown and 248 other tourists went to Glacier National Park via the Great Northern Rail Road. The September 7th edition of The Nebraska Farmer has a front page article where Francis A. Flood writes: 

“We climbed off the train into that bracing mountain air and ran across the grass to the hotel entrance where Chief Two Guns White Calf, himself, Blackfoot Indian Chief, dignified and straight, every inch a chief in his white buckskins, solemnly shook hands and welcomed us to the reservation. 

“Chief Two Guns is the original nickel Indian from whose classic likeness the die for the Indian design on the buffalo nickel was cast. He represents the highest class of North American Indian and as such his majestic poise dignified the greeting he gave us at the Lodgs [sic]. … 

“That evening, before dinner in the big log Lodge, the Blackfoot Chiefs decided to initiate four members of our party into the Blackfoot tribe. We gather down by their tepees, their interpreter explained the history and significance of some of their ceremonial dances and their lore, and then [the initiates were] summoned to Chief Two Guns himself. … Jos. S. Brown, manager of The Nebraska Farmer Protective Services, who is enjoying a vacation with his farmer friends, was taken into the tribe under the name of ‘Chief St. May’s Lake,’….” 

Rather than “St. May’s Lake” as reported by here, Grandpa Brown wrote on a picture from the trip, “Initiation into Blackfeet Tribe of J S Brown Chief ‘St Mary’.” 

Marion Aylesworth Murch recounts her stepmother Marion’s death had a devastating effect on both her and her father. She had recently graduated from Stephens College with a two-year degree and was beginning her first year at the University of Nebraska. Rather than live on campus she moved back home to stay with her father and become a “townie”, greatly curtailing her campus life as a member of the Tri-Delt sorority. Yet, she could not keep her mind on school and nearly flunked her courses. Her father advised her in no uncertain terms that she could do anything she wanted but she was going to finish college. Marion transferred to Lincoln Business College and graduated in 1934. Later she encountered Sam McKelvie through a chance meeting on the street. He later called her at home and asked that she come to his office, whereupon she was offered employment. 

Omitted are one grandson, his son-in-law, my father Howard Aylesworth Sr. and myself whose straight thinking and integrity Grandpa Brown greatly respected. Joseph Brown lived by the ideal that “a man’s word is his bond”, a term that perhaps today seems quite pedestrian but is true nevertheless. 

Joseph and Howard Sr. were the product of a period where a persons “bond” was the key to life regardless of what their station was. Communities were more insular and there were no credit agencies or mass communication channels to chronicle and disseminate information on how individuals lived their lives. A person’s introduction to those who they did not know and their ability to conduct personal and business affairs was determined by their character and their standing among those with whom they worked and lived. The summary of social relationships contained in the phrase “A man’s word is his bond” has many subtlies and meanings, but in essence is the embodiment of trust, honor and responsibility. 

For example, Howard Sr. submitted his application to the U.S. War Department for an appointment as a flying cadet with two letters of referral enclosed. The first, signed by H.H. Loring, President of the State Bank of Valparaiso, states: 

“I have known Howard G. Aylesworth, now residing at Kendalville, Indiana during the last eighteen years, and know him to be a young man of excellent character, the best of habits, moral and industrious, and honest in every way. I cheerfully recommend him worthy of confidence and consideration in the line of endeavor sought by him.” 

The second, signed by B. L. Kinne, Assistant Cashier at Farmers State Bank, states: 

“I have personally know Mr. Howard Aylesworth, the bearer, for several years and consider him a young man of excellent qualities, industrious, clean, and ambitious. He comes from one our best families, and bears a good name in this community. I cheerfully recommend him for consideration in any application he may make." 

Each of these people were willing to stake their good name and standing in support of my father; and in asking them to write on his behalf my father was obliging himself to uphold the credit of their name. In short, the letter of reference was the moral obligation between the parties to work to the benefit of each other and their community; Dad’s word was accepting the responsibility to carry out what he said he would do; and, his bond was the accumulation of what he had done in his life and how he had done it. This is what Joseph S. Brown believed, how he lived and what he taught others. This is what he respected. The same can be said of my father and mother.