From "History of Wheeling City and Ohio County, West Virginia and 
Representative Citizens," by Hon. Gibson Lamb Cranmer, 1902. 

Typed by Laurie Birks Dean

p. 410

John M. BROWN.  While this gentleman is practically retired from an 
active business career, he is greatly interested in many business 
enterprises in the city of Wheeling, West Virginia.  He was born in 
Wheeling in 1838, and with the exception of twenty-five years spent 
on a farm about four miles from Wheeling has always made this city 
his home.  James Brown, his father, was born in the North of Ireland, 
near Belfast, and came to the United States in 1833.  He engaged in 
the retail grocery business on Center street in Wheeling, and 
continued thus until 1850, when he moved to his farm on Caldwell's 
run, on the Wheeling and Fairmont pike.  There he made his home until 
his death, February 14, 1876, at the age of seventy-two years.  He 
married Rachel McMechen, at St. Clairsville, Ohio.  She is deceased, 
and John M., the subject of this sketch, is the only living 
representative of the family in the United States.
	In 1876, John M. Brown moved to Wheeling, where he has since 
resided.  Owing to the condition of his health, he has not engaged in 
active business, but has been identified with many important 
interests in Wheeling.  He is a director of the National Exchange 
Bank of Wheeling, and was one of the three originators of the Dollar 
Savings Bank, the others being B. B. Dovener and Joseph F. Paull.  
Mr. Brown was also president of the Peabody Insurance Company during 
a part of its existence.  He always lends his assistance when any 
public enterprise is undertaken, and is one of the most progressive 
citizens of Wheeling.
	John M. Brown married Emma H. Hill, of Marshall county, West 
Virginia.  He resides on Front street, on the Island, which has been 
his home since 1876.  In politics Mr. Brown has always been a 
Republican.  His first vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln in 1860.  He 
has never sought or held political office.  The subject of this 
sketch was baptized in the United Presbyterian church, of which he is 
a prominent member.  He has also been connected for many years with 
the Young Men's Christian Association, of which he is one of the 
directors, and was also its treasurer for four years.