Abia William Brown Jr. by Macy Brown Robinson

SKETCH OF MY FATHERS LIFE
By Macy Brown Robinson

My father Abia William Brown Jr. was born May 5, 1840 in Harrisville, Harrison Co., Ohio. He was the youngest of the seven children of Abia William Brown and Abigail (Abby) Cadwallader. His father was a Doctor and Surgeon and was especially noted for his treatment of cancer.

When father was a small boy his family moved to Virginia, then on to Missouri. Here the climate did not agree with his father and because of ill health he could not do farm work.

Among some of father’s earliest recollections as a boy at this time was watching the great droves of hogs the farmers would gather together, the same as cattle are gathered on the range today. Each man would have a different mark on the ear of his hogs.

In 1849 when father was nine yeas old, his father died. His mother then moved her family to Kanesville, now called Council Bluffs, to live with her oldest daughter. They lived here for two or three years, then having the chance to buy a small farm, she and father went to live there. They had it only a short time when their house caught fire and everything they had burned up. They then returned to Kanesville where father went to work for his brother-in-law, William Johnson, in his store as a clerk and a bookkeeper. He worked here for several years. Then he went to work for a man in the printing business, but not liking this, ran away and went to Missouri. Here he worked for a stove maker [tinner], learning this trade.

During the time he was living here, his mother and sisters joined the Mormon Church and came to Utah. On Sept. 27, 1861 father came to Utah on his way to California, but stayed in Salt Lake City and again went to work for his brother-in-law, William Johnson. This time traveling around among the settlements selling different kinds of goods. He did not like his family to talk religion to him, but in traveling around he would always stay with the bishops and in this way he first became interested in Mormonism. He joined the church, baptized 5 May, 1862.

Always having a desire to have a education, he went to the University of Utah, This with his constant studying along different lines gave him a good education.

During this time the young people were interested in different kinds of home amusements such as charades and theatricals. Wishing for something more, father with Seymor B. Young, Lon Hyde, Joe Russel and others went to President Young and asked for permission to start a lyceum. This he advised them to do and through this our Mutual Improvement Association started.

Being interested in the gold rush, he was one of the first white men to go into Peranogut Valley, Nevada locating and working several good mines in that part of the country. In 1867 he was called on a mission to England. Leaving his mine interests with his partner, John Ely, he filled a two year mission, presiding over the Bristol Conference. On returning home from his mission, his partner wanted him to give up his religion and because he would not do this, he lost his share in the mines which amounted to $22,000.

While on his mission, he met Emma Sibley. She later came to Utah without her parents. On Nov. 29, 1869 he was married to Emma Sibley, his first wife, in Salt Lake City. During this time he taught school in Salt Lake City. The confinement did not agree with him so he went to Fillmore, Utah and worked with Josiah Gibbs as a carpenter. He taught school for a few years at Holden and Scipio, then went to pioneer Babbit Valley, acting as home missionary while there.

In 1880 he moved his family to Kanab. Here he also taught school for a few years.

On Aug.23, 1882 He married my mother, Lucinda Araminta Stewart. This same year he helped his brother-in-law, William Johnson, move his family to Mexico.

In 1887 he with others, located the town of Fredonia, Arizona. He and Bishop Robinson and laid out the town. In 1888 he moved his family down there. While living in Fredonia he taught school, was first counselor to bishop Thomas Jensen, was Justice of the Peace for ten or twelve years, working on his farm and as a nurseryman. He was the father of eighteen children. He died at his home in Fredonia March 27, 1924, and was buried in the Fredonia Cemetery.

(Not in her journal, but from other sources) — He composed a number of songs, one of which is:

O, I LOVE THE ROUGH LOG CABIN

1st
O, I love the rough log cabin, for it tells of olden time,
When a hardy and honest class of freeman in their prime,
First left their Fathers’ peaceful homes, where all was joy and rest,
With their axes on their shoulders, they sailed for the west.
Chorus
They sailed for the west, brave boys, they sailed for the west
With their axes on their shoulders, they sailed for the west
2nd
Of logs they built a sturdy pile, with slabs they roofed it o’er
With leaves and brush to shed the rain, and dirt to cover o’er,
And for their little window lights, in sash two feet by two
They used such light as could be had, in regions that were new.
Chorus
3rd
Their chimneys were composed of slabs, well interlaid with clay
Forming a sight you seldom see, in this latter day;
And stones were used for fire-dogs where a rousing fire was made
While around it sat a sturdy crew that none could make afraid:
Chorus
4th
Then honor well the Pioneer, in garb of rough or plain
Or dressed in latest plan or style; But honor them the same.
For by their works of brain and brawn, this country now o’er flows
With plenty of peace and liberty, rich blessings God bestows.
Chorus