Jacob K. Brown
Aug. 29, 1810-Oct. 14, 1890
Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, October 15, 1890, page 3, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library
Death of Jacob K. Brown
Death is busy among the old settlers. Mr. Brown is the third to fall before his relentless scythe within the short space of six days. He had been in failing health for several months, but till the last kept up a cheerful courage. He was able to be about his room until 5 o'clock last evening, but sank peacefully into the sleep of death three hours later.
Mr. Brown was too well known to require a lengthy obituary. He was born in Liberty, Union county, Ind., Aug. 29, 1810, and removed to Niles Sept. 7, 1831. He was married Feb. 15, 1831, to Sarah J. Stith, the ceremony being performed by Judge Green, the first judge in Niles. Mr. Brown was one of the first trustees of the village of NIles, to which position he was repeatedly elected.
He was a soldier in the Black Hawk war, and has always taken an active interest in whatever promised to promote the welfare fo this city.
He was most conspicuous as a builder of public and private houses. During his residence here he superintended the construction of twenty-one school houses, a dozen mills and at least a half hundred of stores, dwelling houses and other buildings. His morality was never questioned. He stated once to the writer that he had never drank a glass of whisky or beer; had never tasted tobacco or smoked a cigar, had never attended a ball. Notwithstanding his advanced age, he will be missed by his many friends. He leaves no less than 60 descendants, having 18 or 20 great-grandchildren, one of whom is about 20 years old.