George Elias Brown (1846 - 1900)

Born 28 May 1846 in Preston County, VA (now WV)

Husband of Sarah Elizabeth (Danser) Brown — married 9 Aug 1866 in Preston County, WV

Died 12 May 1900 at age 53 in Preston County, WV

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Biography

The Preston County Journal.
KINGWOOD, WEST VIRGINIA, THURSDAY, MAY 31, 1900.
VOL. XXXIII. NO. 38. WHOLE NO. 1764.
Page 1, Columns 7-8
OBITUARY.
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On Saturday last the many friends of George E. Brown, as well as the vicinity at large was greatly shocked to learn of his sudden and unexpected death. Mr. Brown was attacked with a severe pain in his back about the last of March, from which he was unable to get about for two days, afterwhich he could again look after his business, but unable to do scarcely any manual labor. The pain had formed rather a continuous ache, and settled in the left shoulder or breast. But for nearly a week previous to his death he was almost entirely relieved from the agonizing sensation, when on Friday last while engaged at his work he again felt its effects, but on Saturday morning felt better and was out on the farm giving directions to the young man staying with them, and also doing some light work himself; when he was suddenly seized with a severe pain in the region of the heart, but succeeded in getting to his house which was but a short distance. On reaching the yard his wife met him and asked him what was the matter, to which he replied that his heart was bursting. He succeeded in getting in the house, was permitted to speak a few words with his companion, and in less than 30 minutes his noble spirit had taken its flight to the blissful regions beyond. While his companion, who was alone with him, was bending over him endeavoring to raise him up his countenance exhibited a ray of light not of time but of eternity; his eyes shown with a luster of radiance and beauty which only have been created from the receding of earth and earthly things and the unfolding of the granduer [sic] of heaven when he closed his eyes to open them in heaven.
The deceased was born May 28, 1846, in Preston county, W. Va., died May 12, 1900. He was wedded in early manhood to Sarah E. Dancer, with whom he was permitted to live about 34 years. Theirs was a home where the sunshine of pure conjugal love illuminated their lives. They truly were united heart and hand and shared each others burdens, and amidst the conflicts of life, in all its disappointments, as well as its successes, they walked the path of duty side by side.
The deceased leaves a wife, one daughter, one son, four sisters, three brothers, an aged mother and many other friends to mourn their loss.
His remains were interred in the Nazareth cemetery May 13. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. J. W. Funk and his pastor, Rev. Woodruff. Bro. Funk preaching the funeral discourse from second Samuel 12 chapter and 23 verse. Brother Brown had been an efficient member of the M. E. church for 24 years, and had always held his membership at the one place, Nazareth. He was a strong man in the church, one who was ever ready and willing to throw his entire power in aid of the cause of Christ.
The church of this vicinity feels that it has lost one of their best members, for his enraptured soul was ever making those around him feel the influence of his generous nature; his sweet voice will be missed in the singing of the many soul thrilling sacred songs which have dropped from his lips to float out on the vernal breezes, kindling a flame of love and true devotion in many a heart. God tuned his voice not for time only but for eternity. True his eyes are closed in death, his lips are stilled, his voice is hushed to mortal ears, not earths gatherings to be enraptured but the host of heaven to join in the anthems of praise.
Bro. Brown was widely known and greatly respected wherever known. He was a man who never engendered a controversy but appeased strife. He was upright and honest in his dealings; a devoted husband, a kind and loving father, a citizen of the grandest type, and his death being so sudden and unexpected, caused by a paralytic stroke running to the heart, will make the loss seem the greater. His bereft family have the sympathy of the entire vicinity, and may the exemplary life [column 8] which he imitated by many in deed and in truth and when in his devoted life, and earnest pleadings with those for whom he has sacrificed so much, and counciled so earnestly and tenderly have failed to bring them to the fold of Christ, and to live lives of purity and devotion. May his death accomplish this. “Truly the righteous rest from their labors but their works do follow them.” So will it be with this good man and to you his bereft, when at nightfall you gaze at the great dome of heaven, radiated by the myriad stars of brightness, bear in mind your devoted one has gone into the impenetratble [sic] future in which a crown of life will be given bedecked with many stars, and it is a privilege of yours to be one of those stars, if you through his influence will resume life’s work in its reality. “You can go to him, but he can not come to you.” A. J. S.

1870 residence Reno Twp., Preston County, WV; 1880 residence Reno District, Preston County, WV

He is buried in the Nazareth Cemetery, near Fellowsville, Preston County, WV; served in the Union Army during the Civil War.

Sources

• "The Goff Family" Roy L. Lockhart 1974, FamilySearch.org, George E. Brown-Sarah E. Dancer marriage (Preston County Journal, August 18, 1866 issue), his obituary, personal examination of his tombstone 1986, Find A Grave, U.S. census returns.