James Fredrick Brown, Sr. was born on the July 2, 1859 at Ogden, Weber, Utah, second son of Captain James Brown and (8)Cecelia Henrietta Cornu Robellaz Brown. When he was only a few years old his mother went back to Switzerland [after the death of Captain James Brown in 1863, and after the death of her 14 year old son, George Constant Robellaz in 1865] to care for her 71 year old parents who were ill. She gave her two small sons [Charles David Brown, b.1856, James Fredrick Brown, b.1859] to Mary Wollerton, Cecelia's husband's ninth wife, who had no children of her own, who cared for them as a mother from that time forward. Mary Wollerton was a very good mother to James Fredrick and his brother Charles. Their own mother wrote many letters to them and at her death left each of them $1,000.00.
At age of 14 he worked at Becker's Brewery, and at times in a Livery Barn, where he became interested in fine horses. He also worke as a butcher and meat cutter, ight watchmann for the City of Ogden and worked for Fred J. Kaisel Wholesale Company.
At the age of 18 James Fredrick invested $500.00 in a saw mill in Ogden Canyon, along with David Eccles. He used ox teams to get out logs for the mill. He later sold his interest in the mill and worked as head chopper, cutting logs for the mill.
Fredrick helped build the first railroad through Echo Canyon and Weber Canyon, driving a span of mules on the grade. He was a passenger on the first caboose into Ogden from Devil's Slide. Later he was employed by the Union Pacific Railroad as breakman, between Ogden and Promontory Point.
James Fredrick married Esther Amelia Marriott [daughter of John Marriott, Jr. and Elizabeth Stewart] on the 27th of March 1884 in Salt Lake City, Utah. [Esther was born on December 6, 1863 at Marriott, Utah. Esther was the twin sister of Hyrum Willard Marriott. Esther's early life was typical of the pioneer child. She went through hardships such as having no shoes yet needing to walk many miles to attend the little schooling that was available at that time. When she was a young girl she worked in the home of Apostle Franklin Richards. .
In September 1885, in company with James Dinsdale and wife and baby they left Ogden to hep pioneer Star Valley, Wyoming. They settled in what is now Fairview. At that time there was only one family near by, about three miles away, and a few families on the east side of the valley. There were no roads into the valley. The men took turns traveling to Montpelier, Idaho, fifty iles away, on snow shoes to get mail and supplies. They were short of food many times, and lived on dried deer meat. They cut potato sets the first winter and Fred Brown was the first to plant potatoes and wheat and harvest a crop in Star Valley. Being ambitious and thrifty, he soon had a good ranch, well stocked with cattle.
Children of James Frederick Brown and Esther Amelia Marriott Brown:
James Fredrick Brown, Jr. -Feb 6, 1885
Charles William Brown -Dec 25, 1886
Mary Edna Brown -c. Mar 21, 188
Brigham Brown -c. 1887
George Willard Brown -June 9, 1889
Joseph Lorain Brown - Jan 22, 1893
Erma Elizabeth Brown - Nov 21, 1900
Fred spoke quick and loud and was strict with his family, but very kind and generous with them and with others. While not a religious man, he tried to keep the commandments of the Lord. He was very honest and taught his family the value of honest and right dealings with their fellowmen. With the help of his good wife he made a good home for his children. Esther was always active in Church and civic affairs, working as a member of the M.I.A. and Primary Stake Boards in the Star Valley Stake. She served as Sunday School teacher in the Fairview Ward for over 20 years. Four of their children filled missions for the L.D.S. Church. He loved outdoor life, and spent much time in hunting and fishing, and camping in the mountains.
Esther Amelia Marriott Brown died December 23, 1919 in her home, at Fairview, Wyoming.
James Fredrick Brown died April 20, 1923 of a paralytic stroke at Fairview, Wyoming.
MORE ON JAMES FREDRICK BROWN:
Pioneer Families of Fairview, The James Fredrick Brown Sr. Family by Rhea Brown Roberts.
Sources:
PAF - Archer files
Brown Book of Remembrance written by Hattie Critchlow Jensen and Loella Brown Tanner prior to 1948.
