Forrest Eldoris Brown (1894 - 1949)

Born 27 Feb 1894 in Baroda, Lake Twp., Berrien Co., Michigan

Ancestors

Husband of Elsie Emma Krause — married 11 Feb 1925 in St. Joseph, Berrien Co., Michigan

Descendants

Died 19 May 1949 at age 55 in Mercy Hospital, Benton Harbor, Berrien Co., Michigan

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Cindy Schroeder [send private message]

Biography

Baptism: ALT_BIRTH Y. 10 NOV 1939. Zion Evan. Ch., St. Joseph, Berrien Co., Michigan.

Buried 23 MAY 1949. Riverview Cem., St. Joseph, Berrien Co., Michigan.

Note: ! Residences: Baroda, MI [3]. He was born at his Grandmother Brown's home where. his parents were living [3]. corner of Third St. and Lemon Creek Road with his. father and step-mother [3]. Third Street after his marriage 1925-1934 [3-4]. This home was bought from his uncle. Sherm Brown. [4]. Temporarily in his parents home on Third Street. while they lived on Snow Road - 1935 [3-4]. Benton Harbor [3-4]. 2294 South Colfax Avenue 1935 - death [3-4]. rented and then purchased [3-4]. They moved so that he would be closer to the courthouse. when he was county treasurer. [24]. Education: 10th grade at Baroda, MI - 26 APR 1912 [3,24,27]. He was a very good student as evidenced by his 2nd, 5th, 6th, and 10th grade report cards. [23]. The 11th and 12th grades were added to the school a couple of years after he completed the 10th grade. [24]. Forrest and his brother, Lester, were equal partners in an automobile agency and other business ventures known as "Brown Brothers" for many years. In 1935, they purchased the "Old Car Barn Property" on Main Street in Benton Harbor. They constructed a bowling alley there. The alleys were rented to Larry Craig. Forrest died shortly before the Craig lease expired. Twin City Recreation, a partnership (later corporation) between Lester and his sons Jack and Jerry, was formed and they took over the bowling alley. In 1953, the bowling alley was completely destroyed by fire and then rebuilt. [21]. Occupations: Farm hand for the Singer family. - Singer Lake near Baroda [3]. Worked with his father - teamster, horses then trucks [3]. Sailing on Great Lakes ships in about 1914 [3]. became an engineer [3]. enlisted into Merchant Marines in WWI [3]. did this for seven years [3]. Pool Parlor owner with his brother - on the SW corner. of First and Center Streets in Baroda [3-4,24]. Brown Bros. Ford Garage and Standard Oil Station. Partnership with his brother for 8 years - selling in 1929,. (Chevrolet in 1923 - later changed to Ford about. 1925 [3,24,31]; Ford cars, trucks, tractors [26]). Fern remembered that an oriental rug and a player piano were. taken in as trade for partial payment of cars. [24]. They rented on south Front Street in Baroda and then built a new. brick building on the north corner of Front Street about. 1921. Their uncle Charles Brown was the brick. contractor for it. [3-4]. The first garage was on the SW corner of First. Street and Lemon Creek Road in Baroda - built between. 1927-9. It had four stalls for repairing. In front of the. garage were three gasoline pumps for Standard Gasoline. One other pump was located around the corner. There were. also two large, tall pull open doors around the corner to. open in order to drive the cars in. They sold Good Year. tires. There were usually a couple of park-like benches. outside in front. [3]. They sold this dealership, and Forrest put all his money into. the stock market before the 1929 crash. He. thought he had retired at age 35, but then he. lost all he had except for their house and car. [3-4]. Baroda village council - several years [31]. Baroda village clerk [31]. Baroda trustee 1930 [25]. Baroda Twp. supervisor for two terms, 19312 and 19323 [3-4,30-32]. Fern remembered her parents distributing from their front porch. food goods such as flour which came from county funds. People. were lined up to receive the food. Forrest would organize and. take men to woods to cut firewood and to do other work projects. during the depression. [24]. Berrien Co. MI treasurer 11 JAN 1933 - 14 MAR 1936. Elected as Democrat for two terms, he became a Republican. after Roosevelt's New Deal. [3-4,14,24,32-34]. The New Deal was a series of economic programs implemented. in between 1933 and 1936. [wikipedia]. Brown Bros. Ford/Lincoln Dealership with his brother in. Benton Harbor (256-264 West Main Street) [22]. established DEC 1933 - sold out 19 JUL 1939 [22]. (A. F. Messner started Messner's Garage in 1908 or 1909 at the corner of Water and 6th. Later the business was at 274 West Main Street. Ford's were being sold there by 1914. Forrest's daughter, Fern, wrote in this reference book that Forrest and Lester. purchased this business in the 1930s. [42]). independent dealer in cars, parts, gasoline [22]. 1939 sales of new cars ($104,521), used cars ($19,355),. parts ($19,011), gasoline ($526) [22]. OCT/NOV 1935 - 1939 (Forrest's health was failing) [3-4,21]. 1) rented on Territorial Street [3]. 2) purchased and converted old street cars barns at 256-280. W. Main St. in 1936 [3-4,33]. Service: Merchant Marines - WWI [3]. Religion: Evangelical [3]. Zion Evangelical Church, Baroda, MI - after his. marriage [3]. He was baptized when an adult [3]. Church treasurer [3]. Memberships: Benton Harbor Elks #544 [3]. St. Joseph Kiwanis [3,35]. listed in 1948: Brown, Forrest E. 2294 Colfax Avenue. Benton Harbor. Res. Phone 9724. Build: tall and slim [3]. My father had very expressive blue eyes, dark brown hair, a flawless complexion which tanned and held a tan well, weighed about 160 pounds and was five feet eleven inches tall. [3]. Nervous type [3]. Volunteer fireman in Baroda [3,24]. He wondered why he would get so winded running to the fire station. just down the street -- then he learned of his heart problem. [3]. Fern would go with him when he would flush the fire hydrants. [24]. Health: congenital heart defect [3]. This was his cause of death. X-ray showed that his heart had greatly expanded to cope with the defect; one of his lungs did not show on x-ray because the heart covered it. foot problems [3]. sinus problems [3]. quite deaf in right ear - mastoid [3]. His sayings: "Don't trust anyone until they prove themselves to you." [3]. "Don't do as I do, do as I tell you." [3]. "Well, I'll be darned." [3]. "Dog is man's best friend." - He loved dogs. [3]. "Experience and education are two things no one can ever take away. from you." [3]. "Experience is the best teacher." [3]. "A penny saved is a penny earned." [3]. Favorite tree: Elm - it was stately. My father often said, “There's nothing greater than a tree." [3]. 2 !When he was young, he built a tree house to get a better view of Halley's Comet. He broke his arm when he fell out of the tree house. [3]. 2 !Fern guessed that her father's middle name was spelled Eldorest until she was told by Forrest's cousin (Esther Kissinger) that it was also his uncle's middle name and was spelled Eldoris. [3]. 2 !He had a fine mathematical mind. He could take a column of 2-3 digit numbers and quickly add them up in his head. [3]. 2 !Some Baroda friends called him Joe. [3-4]. 2 !Forrest and his brother sailed the Great Lakes on commercial vessels. Forrest worked as an engineer while Lester was a pilot. Forrest always loved the sea and ships. He started sailing in 1914 and was a member of the Merchant Marines during WWI. While on ship in October he got the bad 1918 flu and entered a hospital at Ste. St. Marie to recover. His father had it at home at the very same time, so Lester went home to help nurse the father with round the clock sips of strong whiskey, which was about the only thing they had to give then. After sailing the Great Lakes on several ships such as the SS Copp of the Bolland & Cornelius Steamship line for seven years, Forrest had to give up sailing in 1921 as he developed a cronic ear mastoid. This condition greatly upset his sense of balance, and therefore he became violently seasick. Forrest OFTEN spoke to Fern of his sailing days and experiences. He'd take her down to Lake Michigan (only a couple of miles from their home) to watch the many moods of the lake or the glorious sunsets. Then he'd often say, "Red in the morning, sailors' warning; Red at night, sailors' delight." This predicted the weather. On Sundays after church they many times drove past the docks to see what ships were moored there. Sometimes one would be in that he had sailed on or one he knew the crew of. They would take Elsie home to fix dinner as she disliked ships and water. Then Forrest and Fern would go back to visit the ship. Fern met many old fellow crewmen of Forrest's and toured many ships that way. She would politely listen while he tried his darnest to explain how the engines worked when they were in the engine room. But somehow, the huge pans of strawberries or whatever the cooks were preparing interested her more. Sailors usually eat very well, as its one of the draws to getting a good crew. A lot of crews are pretty tough fellows - many prone to drinking up their high salaries when in port. Forrest was not a drinker. Fern recalls him telling of the many times the captain had him go around emptying the crew's bottles brought on ship so that they could sober up enough to be able to leave port again. Forrest talked to Fern of them possibly working together (one time trip) on a ship to South America - he as an engineer and she as a waitress or maid. [3]. 2 !WWI draft registration [19]. Marine Oiler - Graham F. Morton Transport Co. 2 !How he met Elsie: Elsie was visiting her aunt and uncle (Marty and Will Tietz) in Baroda. Uncle Will asked Forrest to give Elsie a ride part way home. He did. When he called for a date, Elsie said no, but later thought it over and wrote to Forrest. They dated about three years. Forrest courted Elsie in Model Ts. He would drive every Sunday from Baroda to Scotdale (about 10 miles). For their dates they usually went to St. Joseph for a movie and supper or to South Bend for the same. The Philadelphia Restaurant was their favorite spot for ice cream or supper. Fern had the old woolen lap robe they used to keep warm with as Model T's did not have a heater. They were married by Rev. F. C. Schmidt in the Zion Evangelical Church parsonage on Harrison Avenue in St. Joseph on a snowy, stormy, winter Wednesday evening. Her brother, Stanley, and her cousin, Edna Krause, were the witnesses. Forrest was able to get Elsie a lovely pink flower bouquet. Elsie wore a beige lace flapper dress and hat. No pictures were taken as they wondered if the Model T would even get the wedding party back from St. Joseph to Scotdale in the storm. [3-4]. 2 !The early winter of 1926-1927 he and Elsie took a trip from Baroda to St. Petersburg, FL, where his uncle Charles Brown lived. The car did not have a trunk to store clothes or anything, so a black trunk (Fern still has) was strapped onto the back. Forrest was forever patching tires especially in the mountains of Kentucky and Tennessee or when they forded creek beds. An axe was used a few times to cut trees or limbs blown down on the dirt roads. They got stuck in the red Georgia mud and Elsie wondered if everything would ever get clean again. Fern was conceived on this trip to Florida. [3]. 2 !They took other trips to Florida also - staying in St. Petersburg where other Brown relatives lived. One trip included FEB 1940, FEB 1949. [3,41]. 2 !Newspaper 16 DEC 1929 [29]. Mr. and Mrs. Forrest Brown and daughter and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bihlmire have left for Florida to spend several months in St. Petersburg. 2 !He often confused the words did and done. Later, when he knew better he did it on purpose to irritate his daughter. [3]. 2 !He sometimes called Fern "Schnickel-fritz." Schnickel-fritz was one of the rarest dolls by toymaker Albert Schoenhut. It was a young boy in a sailor suit made 1919 to 1925. [3]. 2 ! After placing an order for new cars and receiving notice that the order was ready, an excursion was planned. Everyone but a skeleton work force were recruited plus extra hired men. There had to be one man per car ordered to go over to Dearborn to each drive a new car back to Baroda. Sometimes they drove over (but then one man needed to drive that car back). Other times they boarded a train from Baroda, but then needed to go to Chicago to get another train to Dearborn. [3]. Nelson Schultz said the speed limit around Baroda like on Lemon Creek Road in the 1920s was 30 miles an hour. Once when Brown Brothers drivers were bringing in almost 40 new Ford's they were all fined for going 40 miles an hour. Cars were not delivered on trucks then, they were driven to dealerships from Detroit. He said all the young fellows were excited to watch the cars come in. [20]. Later, new cars were delivered to dealers in wooden crates in a torn down fashion. The crates were shipped by train from Dearborn to Chicago, and then from Chicago to Baroda. Then the Brown Brothers would reassemble the cars. Luckily, they were located directly across from the Baroda train station. [3]. In order to be able to purchase a car some people would trade in different items towards the purchase. Once in Baroda, they took in a player piano and all of the rolls of music -- also an oriental rug. Once a widowed lady needed a car to be able to go to teach school. She traded in a diamond ring as partial payment. The diamond was the size of a dime -- for a 1934 Ford! [3]. 2 !The new Brown Brothers garage in Benton Harbor had lovely new garage fronts on the old car barns that was the parts department. It had about 8 repair stalls, a body repair department, a washing car area, and a storage area. This garage had a black Pittsburgh Plate Glass front with an elegant showroom which had a terrazo floor. Large plants stood around and on a special car showing they added huge floral arrangements. All departments were much larger and grander than the Baroda garage had been. [3]. 2 !When it came to making collections on old out standing bills for cars, Forrest usually carried a revolver when trying to collect in the rough "flats" of Benton Harbor. Fern would sometimes go with him. Once when he went into a closed front porch and didn't come out for quite awhile Fern became upset. But he usually came back with some money or the car was repossessed. [3]. 2 !By 1936, Ford was using the slogan "Watch the Fords go by!" and using a black scotty dog in their ads. Forrest, Elsie, and Fern took a long trip all through the west to Washington, down the California coast and back home through Texas then north. They drove a 1936 beige Ford four door. On both sides were huge decals of the black scotty and the words, "Watch the Fords go by!" There were no express ways then and they drove through every little town. At first, Fern would slouch down from the back seat in embarrassment when folks would yell, "Watch the Fords go by!", but then she became excited and proud about it and sat up in pride. [3]. 2 !Fern and Elsie never quite knew for sure what kind of a car Forrest would drive home. Usually he used one dealer car, but not always. About the time Elsie and Fern really liked a car he sold it. If he picked Fern up from school she would have to really look in the cars for him. Elsie could have had her pick of cars, but she refused to learn to drive. Fern drove as soon as she could. [3]. 2 !At one time Brown Brothers had eleven sub-dealers in smaller surrounding towns from their main one in Benton Harbor. They had one in Baroda again, also Bridgman, Watervliet, and St. Joseph. [3]. 2 !Brown Brothers made many trips to Dearborn. In the early years the few dealers they had were treated almost like family in the way they entertained them, etc. Golf outings were a popular one and Forrest loved golfing. He golfed along side of Henry Ford once and enjoyed really becoming acquainted with him. [3]. 2 !Newspaper MAY 1940 [16]. New construction skyrocketed again during the past week when eight permits totaling $24,905 were issued at the Benton Harbor municipal building... Largest of the new projects of the past week is the new recreation center building which Brown Bros. now have under construction at 280 West Main street replacing part of the old street car barns which have been razed. It will be a commercial building and will house 11 new bowling alleys under lease to L. M. Craig. The estimated cost is $15,000. 2 !Newspaper JUL 1940 [16]. The Twin City Recreation bowling alleys, 264 West Main St., will be opened to the public sometime during the week of Aug. 18, it was announced today by Larry Craig, operator and owner. The new alleys will be housed in the one-story brick building recently built by Brown Brothers, former owners of the local Ford agency. 2 !Newspaper AUG 1940 [16]. Twin Cities bowlers will have their first opportunity Saturday afternoon and evening to try their skill on the new Twin City Recreation 14-alley layout, according to Larry Craig, operator and owner. The finishing touches on the huge building erected by the Brown Brothers on the site of the former street car barns, 280 West Main Street, are expected to be completed by noon tomorrow. 2 !The Old Twin Cities Recreation (last run by his brother, Lester) building at West Main and Ninth Streets in Benton Harbor was sold to Wolf's Marine in 1984. It had 50,000 square feet of floor space. [3,13]. 2 !Forrest once walked in one of our garage doors - got in the car on the other side and backed through that closed garage door wrecking it! He came back in the house, sat down in the kitchen, and said "I'll be damned!" [Fern - 3]. 2 !"The Death of my Father, Forrest E. Brown" [37]. My father was sort of a semi-invalid for about seven years before he died, though he'd worked hard and led an active life prior to that. He looked healthy for about six of those last seven years though many people, including his brother, Lester Brown and step mother, Louisa Brown thought "it was all in his head". He had a congenital heart condition which never hurt him, but just sapped his strength. The winter of 1949 he and my mother spent about six weeks in Florida. I was a senior at Western Michigan College where I was doing my home economics practice teaching. When the folks returned from Florida to Benton Harbor in the early spring, Dad took a bad cold. It went into pneumonia. He was in the hospital over Easter. He came home, but never could fully get over it. Finally he had to have oxygen at home all of the time. I came home from college about a week before he died. I sat up with him nights so Mom could get some rest. Dad and I had some good talks. He talked a lot to me, too, with his bright blue eyes. Finally two days before he died we had to take him to Mercy Hospital in Benton Harbor by ambulance. I'll never forget our Collie dog who'd been so close to him. Collie ran into the bushes with his tail between his legs when the ambulance left. My Aunt Rudy Krause was with us. I said "Aunt Ruby, I don't think my Dad is ever coming home again!" He didn't. He went to his heavenly home. The day of Dad's death, May 19th 1949, Mom, Aunt Ruby and I went to the hospital to see him that afternoon. He was very ill. I sat side of him a long time -- he just kept talking to me with those blue eyes of his. He seemed to want to just drink me in with them. We had a terrible thunder storm that afternoon. We went home for supper, leaving Dad with a private duty nurse. After supper, the three of us went back. The nurse said that Dad had eaten some supper, too, and seemed improved. All of a sudden his heart just must have stopped. He gasped and rolled onto his back from his side. I ran for the nurse who got Dr. Frank King Jr. who was at the nurses desk. They gave him a shot into his heart, but Dad was gone!. I sat down on a hassock and put my head between my knees as I about fainted. Mom just kept rubbing his hands and saying, "Oh, Forrest!" Aunt Ruby hugged us both. Bless her. Written January 26, 1982 by Fern Brown Graber. 2 !The night that your grandfather passed away I was at a concert. Your grandfather requested that my Mom come to the hospital. Apparently he knew the end was near and felt your Mom and Grandmother needed someone be with them. [38 - Beverly Krause Jones]. 2 !Other notes about his death as told by Fern Brown Graber to her daughter. [3]. Forrest was very grouchy and harsh to his family when he was ill at last. It must have been the first day he was in the hospital (at the end of his life) that Fern went into the hallway and was crying about it. Forrest's doctor talked with Fern and then went in to talk to Forrest asking him if that was how he wanted them to remember him. Forrest was very nice to them after that. Also, Fern said that Lester finally realized his brother was going to die and went out in the hallway and cried. 2 !Former Berrien Treasurer Dies [6]. Forrest Brown, 55, Succombs At Mercy. Forrest Brown, 55, well known Benton Harbor business man and former Berrien County treasurer, died at 8:30 o'clock last night at Mercy hospital following a serious illness of six weeks. He had not been well for the past seven years. Mr. Brown and his brother, Lester Brown, conducted the Ford agency in the twin cities, now operated by C. Creed, for six years, coming here from Baroda, where they had operated a similar business for about 10 years. Following the sale of the Ford business, the two brothers retained the building which also houses the Twin City Recreation Bowling alleys. Mr. Brown was elected Berrien County treasurer in 1932 and 1934, resigning in 1934 [sic] to continue in the Ford business with his brother. Mr. Brown was born Feb. 27, 1894 in Baroda, the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Brown. On Feb. 11, 1925 he married Elsie Krause, who survives. He was a member of the Kiwanis club of St. Joseph, the Elks lodge of Benton Harbor, and a past treasurer of the Zion Evangelical church of St. Joseph of which he was a member. The Brown family moved from Baroda to Benton Harbor in 1935, located at 2294 Colfax avenue, in Fair Plain, where they have since resided. Surviving with his widow, and brother, Lester, is a daughter, Fern, who is a student at Michigan State college [sic], East Lansing[ sic]. He also leaves a number of aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. Monday at the Zion Evangelical church in St. Joseph with the Rev. E. A. Irion, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Riverview cemetery. The body will rest at the Kerlikowske funeral chapel, St. Joseph, until noon Monday when it will be taken to the church. 2 !Many Attend Brown Funeral [6]. Former Treasurer Is Laid To Rest. Funeral services were held at 4 p.m. Monday at St. Joseph's Zion Evangelical church for Forrest Brown well known Benton Harbor business man and former Berrien county treasurer, who died last Thursday night at Mercy hospital, following an illness of several weeks. Rev. E. A. Irion pastor of the church, officiated and burial was in Riverview cemetery. There was a large floral tribute and services were largely attended. The Kiwanis club of St. Joseph and the Elks lodge of Benton Harbor, of which Mr. Brown was a member were in attendance and the Elks performed their ritual at the graveside. Mrs. Louise Kelly sang, "My God And I" and "The Lord's Prayer," accompanied by Mrs. Ben Riemersma. Casket bearers were J. R. Byers, Robert Hickman, Robert Wieser, Vernon Deaner, Everett Howard and C. W. Beistle. Out-of-town relatives [sic - not all relatives] included: Mrs. W. L. Perry of Kalamazoo; Mrs. Dorothy Welch, Muskegon; Mr. and Mrs. Herman Horn and Mr. and Mrs. Gus Horn of Chicago, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. B. C. Shirley and Mrs. C. Hensick of Hammond, Ind.; Mr. and Mrs. Orson Winslow, Lansing; Mr. and Mrs. Sherman Brown and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Wiese [sic - Wise], Niles; Mr. and Mrs. Bert Foster of New Carlisle, Ind.; Mr. and Mrs. Alvin [sic - Albert] Kissinger of LaPorte, Ind. 2 !Forrest Brown Will Is Filed [39]. The will of the late Forrest Brown, Benton Harbor, and former Berrien county treasurer who died on May 19, was filed today in probate court. The estate is valued at $25,000 in real estate and $1,500 in personal property. Under the terms of the will the real estate will be held in trust by his widow, Elsie E. Brown, and his brother, Lester D. Brown, and the trustees are instructed to pay the widow three-fourths of the net proceeds from the trust and one-fourth to the daughter, Fern Brown, of Benton Harbor. The will also stated that the trust shall terminate upon the death of Mrs. Brown, who also recieves the residue of the estate. 2 !There was litigation of the probate in the 1960s and maybe into the 1970s. Elsie and Fern sued Lester. The problem seems to have been that Lester was undervaluing the rent that his business (the bowling alley) should be paying to the estate for use of the building. The only options Lester gave Elsie and Fern was to accept the rent he said was appropriate or sell the property to him at a price that Elsie and Fern found to be undervalued. Elsie and Fern were awarded judgment. Lester appealed to the Michigan Supreme Court, but they declined to hear the case. Once when I (Cindy) was doing probate research in the 1970s on relatives in the courthouse a man came up to the counter where I was waiting and asked to see the probate file for Forrest Brown. I was certainly surprised. I asked him why he was asking for that probate and he said he was a new lawyer and he was asked to study the case by his employer law firm. The clerk at the desk then commented that she believed the case file to be the largest one in the courthouse. [40]. 2 !1930 Census: Baroda Twp., Berrien Co., MI pg.21 [17]. 33/33 Brown, Forest Head 36 MI MI MI owns home valued $2,000. marr. age 30, Salesman - automobiles. Elsie wife 32 MI Germany Germany, marr. age 27. Fern dau. 2 MI MI MI. 2 !--- SOURCES ---. NAME:1-3,8-12,14-15,18-25,29-39;17,27(Forest) B:1,3-4,6,9-11,17,19;18(1895/6);31(abt. 1904). BP:1,3,5-6,10-11,17-19,31 BAP:9 D:3-4,6,15,21,39 DP:3,6 BUR:3,6. F:1,3,5-8,12,18 M:1,3,5,7,12. WIFE:3-6,17 MD:4-5,17 MP:4-5 MEND:3-6. 1. Berrien Co. MI births - his [5]. 2. Esther Parrish Kissinger - she provided the spelling of his. middle name, Eldoris, as her father had this middle name. 3. Fern Brown Graber [218,271,1705,1752+]. 4. Elsie Krause Brown. 5. Berrien Co. MI marriages - his [8]. 6. His obituaries and memorial card [1846]. The Herald-Palladium 25 & 28 MAR 1980 - Elsie Brown obits [1872]. 7. His father's obituary. 8. Berrien Co. MI probates - Oscar F. Brown [11]. - his grandmother Julia Parrish. 9. His certificate of baptism. 10. 1900 Census: Lake Twp., Berrien Co., MI - Lucinda Brown [400.6]. 11. 1910 Census: Lake Twp., Berrien Co., MI [410.2]. 12. Alta Brown Howard [218]. 13. The Herald-Palladium, 11 JUL 1984, page 1. 14. Berrien Co. MI treasurer's office [301]. 15. Sylvia Brown Toland's family datebook [1220]. 16. The Herald-Palladium 19 MAY 1990, 30 JUL 1990, and 17 AUG 1990 - "Do Your Remember? 50 Years Ago". 17. 1930 Census: Berrien Co. MI [430.1]. 18. 1920 Census: Berrien Co. MI. 19. WWI draft registration (ancestry.com). 20. Nelson L. Schultz [1704+]. 21. Probate Court of Berrien Co. MI - Estate of Forrest E. Brown [1846+]. 22. Brown Bros. 1939 Census of Business (given to Berrien County Historical Society). 23. Forrest Brown's 2nd, 5th, 6th, and 10th grade report cards. 24. "One Baroda Man and His Family" by Fern Brown Graber, November 1989 [1789]. 25. Newspaper "Do you remember" 60 years ago column, 7 MAR 1990. 26. Advertisement in Silver Jubliee of Zion Evangelical Church, Baroda, MI, 1928. 27. Certificate of Promotion to 11th grade - Forest Brown. 28. Letters from Alta Brown Howard to Forrest and Elsie in St. Petersburg, FL, JAN/FEB 1949 [1832]. 29. News-Palladium (Benton Harbor, MI) 16 DEC 1929. 30. News-Palladium (Benton Harbor, MI) 5 DEC 1931, 5 APR 1932, 2 JUN 1932. 31. News-Palladium (Benton Harbor, MI) 10 SEP 1932 "Brown Seeks Treasury Job". 32. News-Palladium (Benton Harbor, MI) 9 NOV 1932, 11 JAN 1933, 9 NOV 1934. 33. News-Palladium (Benton Harbor, MI) 20 JAN 1936 "Work Started on New Ford Agency's Home". 34. News-Palladium (Benton Harbor, MI) 9 MAR 1936 "County Treasurer Forrest E. Brown Resigns Office"; 10 MAR 1936. 35. News-Palladium (Benton Harbor, MI) 16 JAN 1941, 25 MAY 1942. 36. St. Joseph, MI, Kiwanis Club Roster 1948 [given to the Allen County (Indiana) library]. 37. "The Death of my Father, Forrest E. Brown" by Fern Brown Graber [1845]. 38. Beverly Krause Jones. 39. Newspaper - Forrest Brown Will Is Filed. 40. Cynthia Graber Schroeder. 41. Letters from Faye Krause to Fern Brown in St. Petersburg, FL (FEB 1940, FEB 1949) [296]. 42. Benton Harbor: The Metropolis of the Michigan Fruit Belt, 1915.

Sources

• Birth: "Michigan Births, 1867-1902"
  citing item 2 p 316 rn 347, Lake, Berrien, Michigan, Department of Vital Records, Lansing; FHL microfilm 2,322,558.
  FamilySearch Record: NQZH-L5H (accessed 31 March 2023)
  FamilySearch Image: S3HT-64JS-83R
  Forest Brown born on 27 Feb 1894, son of Oscar Brown & Emma Brown, in Lake, Berrien, Michigan.

• 1900 Census: "United States Census, 1900"
  citing Affiliate Publication Number: T623; Line: 12; FHL microfilm: 1240703; Record number: 1111;
  FamilySearch Record: M912-B2L (accessed 31 March 2023)
  FamilySearch Image: S3HT-6R7Q-1X8 Image number 00027
  Forest E Brown (6), single grandchild, in household of Lucinda Brown (61) in Lake, Berrien, Michigan, United States. Born in Michigan.

• 1910 Census: "United States Census, 1910"
  citing enumeration district (ED) ED 75, sheet 1B, family 25, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 638; FHL microfilm 1,374,651.
  FamilySearch Record: MLPF-VL2 (accessed 31 March 2023)
  FamilySearch Image: 33SQ-GRJK-DZT Image number 00536
  Forrest L Brown (16), single son, in household of Oscar F Brown (41) in Lake, Berrien, Michigan, United States. Born in Michigan.

• 1920 Census: "United States Census, 1920"
  citing Affiliate Publication Number: T625; Affiliate Film Number: 757; Line: 3; FHL microfilm: 1820757; Record number: 30185;
  FamilySearch Record: MZS8-7TW (accessed 31 March 2023)
  FamilySearch Image: 33SQ-GRX7-ZTK Image number 00622
  Forrest E Brown (24), single son, in household of Oscar F Brown (50) in Berrien, Michigan, United States. Born in Michigan.

• Military: "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918"
  citing Affiliate Publication Title: World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards; Affiliate Publication Number: M1509; FHL microfilm: 1675069;
  FamilySearch Record: K66G-HBF (accessed 31 March 2023)
  FamilySearch Image: 33S7-91HX-WLB Image number 03233
  Name: Forrest Brown; Military Draft Registration Date: from 1917 to 1918; Military Draft Registration Place: Berrien, Michigan, United States; Birth Date: 27 Feb 1894; Birth Place: Barada, Michigan, United States; Citizenship Place: United States; Race: White.

• Marriage: "Michigan, County Marriages, 1820-1940"
  citing reference ID , various county clerks and libraries, Michigan; FHL microfilm 2,240,936.
  FamilySearch Record: VN2V-JXJ (accessed 31 March 2023)
  FamilySearch Image: 939J-CLSL-7K Image number 01328
  Forrest Brown (30) marriage to Elsie Krause (27) on 9 Feb 1925 in Berrien, Michigan, United States.

• Marriage: "Michigan, County Marriages, 1820-1940"
  citing reference ID , various county clerks and libraries, Michigan; FHL microfilm 2,240,936.
  FamilySearch Record: VN2V-JXF (accessed 31 March 2023)
  FamilySearch Image: 939J-CLSL-VX Image number 01327
  Forrest Brown marriage to Elsie Krause on 9 Feb 1925 in Berrien, Michigan, United States.

• Marriage: "Michigan Marriages, 1868-1925"
  citing Marriage, St Joseph, Berrien, Michigan, , Citing Secretary of State, Department of Vital Records, Lansing; FHL microfilm 4001631.
  FamilySearch Record: NQ73-M2B (accessed 31 March 2023)
  FamilySearch Image: S3HY-XCD3-QPR Image number 467
  Forrest Brown (30y) marriage to Elsie Krause (27y) on 11 Feb 1925 in St Joseph, Berrien, Michigan.

• Marriage: "Michigan, County Marriages, 1820-1940"
  citing reference ID , various county clerks and libraries, Michigan; FHL microfilm 2,240,682.
  FamilySearch Record: VN27-DCS (accessed 31 March 2023)
  FamilySearch Image: 939J-H7RP-K Image number 00662
  Forrest Brown (30) marriage to Elsie Krause (27) on 11 Feb 1925 in Berrien, Michigan, United States.

• 1930 Census: "United States Census, 1930"
  citing enumeration district (ED) ED 3, sheet 2A, line 29, family 33, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 976; FHL microfilm 2,340,711.
  FamilySearch Record: XQTR-B5F (accessed 31 March 2023)
  FamilySearch Image: 33S7-9RH7-S4L Image number 00046
  Forest Brown (36), married head of household in Baroda, Berrien, Michigan, United States. Born in Michigan.

• 1940 Census: "United States Census, 1940"
  citing Affiliate Publication Number: T627; Line: 35;
  FamilySearch Record: K426-YXJ (accessed 31 March 2023)
  FamilySearch Image: 3QSQ-G9M1-FQLX
  Forrest Brown (46), married head of household in St. Joseph, Berrien, Michigan, United States. Born in Michigan.

• Military: "United States World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942"
  citing NARA microfilm publication M1936, M1937, M1939, M1951, M1962, M1964, M1986, M2090, and M2097 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
  FamilySearch Record: J49Y-RDG (accessed 31 March 2023)
  FamilySearch Image: 939V-4S9G-8G Image number 01755
  Name: Forrest E Brown; Military Draft Registration Date: 1942; Military Draft Registration Place: Benton Harbor, Berrien, Michigan, United States; Birth Date: 27 Feb 1894; Residence Place: Benton Harbor, Berrien, Michigan; Occupation Employer: Forrest E/Brown.

• Death: "Michigan Death Certificates, 1921-1952"
  citing Benton Harbor, Berrien, Michigan, United States, Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics, Lansing; FHL microfilm 1,973,192.
  FamilySearch Record: KFHM-VZX (accessed 31 March 2023)
  Forrest Brown death 19 May 1949 (born 27 Feb 1894), son of Oscar Brown & Emma Parrish, in Benton Harbor, Berrien, Michigan, United States.

• Memorial: Find a Grave (has image)
  Find A Grave: Memorial #119921787 (accessed 31 March 2023)
  Memorial page for Forrest Eldoris Brown (27 Feb 1894-19 May 1949), citing Riverview Cemetery, Saint Joseph, Berrien County, Michigan, USA; Maintained by Cindy Schroeder (contributor 46867857).