State Representative Thomas Armfield Brown

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•ID: I10204

•Name: Thomas Armfield Brown

•

Surname: Brown

•Given Name: Thomas Armfield

•Sex: M

•Birth: 18 Mar 1876 in , Grundy, Missouri, United States

•Death: 28 Sep 1950 in , Harrison, Missouri, United States

•Burial: Mitchell Cemetery, Melbourne, Harrison, Missouri, United States

•Note:

Thomas A. and Dora (Gardner) Brown

Thomas Armfield Brown son of DeWitt C. and Martha Jane Cole Brown was born March 18, 1876 in Grundy County. He was educated inthe district schools. Grand River College at Edinburg, Avalon College in Trenton, and at the State Teachers College at Maryville and Kirksville. He farmed and taught school until 1903 when he sold his farm in Daviess County and founded the Brimson Banner, a weekly newspaper published at Brimson. He was editor of this paper for two and one half years. In 1904 he was appointed as postmaster and served almost a year resigning in 1905. During this time he had engaged in the implement and vehicle business with his father under the firm name of Brown and son. He sold his newspaper in order to devote his entire time to the Vehicle and Hardware Business. This firm continued in business until Jan. 1, 1909, when his father retired and it became the firm of Brown and Hudson, which carrried an extensive stock of hardware and implements. He also engaged in shipping of livestock and gain.

On June 20, 1906 Tom was united in marriage by the Rev. J. B. Cash to Dora M. Gardner daughter of William G and Emma White Gardner. Tom and Dora united with the Brimson Baptist Church, later moving to Melbourne and transferred their membership there to Melbourne Baptist Church. Tom served as deacon for years and he and his family were all active members in regular attendance at their church. They were parents of seven children: . . .

Tom and Dora resided on a farm north of Melbourne for several years. After their house burned they bought a farm West of Melbourne located on the Highway between Melbourne and Gilman City. Tom was first elected as representative of Harrison County in the House of Representatives in 1918. He was Assistant Dairy Commissioner for the State from 1920-1933. Then he was reelected in the House of Representatives in 1934, 1936, 1938, 1940, 1942. He was Doorkeeper for the House in 1944, and then re-elected as representative for another term in 1948.

Tom died Sept. 2, 1950. After a few years Dora and family moved to a house in Melbourne. Dora's mother Emma Gardner lived with the family until her death in 1955. About 1961 Dora and Emma moved in a new home in Trenton. Dora died July 21, 1972. Tom, Dora, and children are buried in Mitchell Cemetery. Emma continues to reside in the family home at 1001 Normal in Trenton. Brimson History

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Tom A. Brown, son of DeWitt C. and Martha Jane Cole Brown, and his wife, Dora M. (Gardner) Brown, daughter of William and Emma (White) Gardner, lived most of their married life in the Melbourne community. They were the parents of seven children, only three of whom lived to maturity. . .

Tom A. Brown was educated in district schools and attended college at Grand River College in Edinburg. Avalon college in Trenton, and the State Teachers College at Kirksville. He pursued a variety of occupations including teaching. (once teaching where he had more than 100 students of all grades). Farming, newspaper publisher, the hardware business, and livestock. Mr. and Mrs. Brown resided on a farm one mile north of Melbourne, except for some three years when they lived in Gilman City, until 1938 when their home was robbed and set on fire, burning to the ground while all members of the family were away. In 1918, Tom A. was elected to the Missouri General Assembly as a Republican representative from Harrison County. In 1920 he was named Assistant Dairy Commissioner for the State of Missouri, a post he held until 1933. He was re-elected to the House of Representatives in 1934, 1936, 1938, 1940, 1942, and 1948. He always served on agriculture and education committees, among others. He had been renominated in the August primary in 1950 and would have been re-elected without opposition in the General election. Mr. Brown died September 2, 1950. Dora Brown continued to live in the Melbourne community until 1960 when she moved to Trenton, living out her years with her daughter Emma Ruth, then a teacher in Trenton, Dora Brown died in July of 1972....

Tom. A., Dora, and Emma Brown, Mr. Maxwell, and his and Eva's two deceased children all are buried in the Mitchell cemetery southwest of Melbourne.

A History of the Gilman City Area.

Thomas A. (Mar. 18, 1876- Sept. 2, 1950) He married Dora Gardner. They were the parents of: Edith Evelyn, Cleo May, Eva Jane, Emma Ruth, Herbert Ray, Thomas Virgil, and Mary Alice. Tom and dora and deceased children are buried at Mitchell Cemetery.

Father: Dewitt Clinton Brown b: 21 Aug 1841 in , Daviess, Missouri, United States

Mother: Martha Jane Cole b: 4 Oct 1839 in , Monroe, Missouri, United States

Marriage 1 Dora M. Gardner b: 4 Jan 1885 in of, , Missouri, United States •Married: 20 Jun 1906 in , Grundy, Missouri, United States

Children

1. Edith Evelyn Brown b: 12 Jun 1907 in , Grundy, Missouri, United States

2. Cleo May Brown b: 24 Aug 1908 in , Grundy, Missouri, United States

3. Living Brown

4. Emma Ruth Brown b: 17 May 1917 in , Grundy, Missouri, United States

5. Herbert Ray Brown b: 27 Nov 1920 in , Grundy, Missouri, United States

6. Living Brown

7. Mary Alice Brown b: 12 Aug 1926 in , Grundy, Missouri, United States