Col. W. M. Brown    

W.M. BROWN, AUSTIN. In the death of Col. W. M. Brown, at the Austin Sanitarium, at 11:50 p. m., August 2, 1903, some hours after a surgical operation had been performed upon him for appendicitis, the State lost a citizen in whose character were illustrated the best traits that distinguished the true gentleman, not only of the South (and he was, in a modest way, proud of being Southern born, and of Virginia lineage), but the world over, and the true Christian, mingled with the unselfish love for country and resolute courage (both physical and moral) that made the Roman name a synonym for manly virtue during the early days of the Republic.

He was carried from his home to the Sanitarium, his physicians, Drs. Bennett and Hudson desiring to perform the operation there. Colonel Brown was 64 years of age at the time of his death. The funeral occurred at 5 p. m., August 3, 1903, from the family residence, 202 East Fourteenth street. The pallbearers were Capt. John Orr, Capt. E.A. Bolmes, Gen. Henry E. Shelley, Maj. Geo. W. Littlefield, Maj. E. B. Carruth, Col. Joel H. B. Miller, Col. R. M. Love, and R.. P. Bull. The remains were followed by John B. Hood Camp, U. C. V., and a large concourse of friends to the city cemetery, where all that was mortal of him was laid tenderly and lovingly to rest in the bosom of Texas, his State by adoption, for whose welfare, during many of the best years of his life, he wrought faithfully and well. Rev. R. K. Smoot of the Free Presbyterian Church, conducted the religious ceremonies.
His widow (nee Miss Mamie Dill, daughter of Mrs. N. L. Dill, of Austin), and the following children survive him: Misses Nellie, Flora, and Minnelma Brown, and Morton Brown. Morton has a position in the department of the State Comptroller of Public Accounts, tendered him by Comptroller Love immediately upon the death of Colonel Brown, who to the time of his decease held an important desk in the office.

Colonel Brown was first lieutenant of the famous Rock Bridge Artillery Company during the war between the States, from 1861 to some time during the last year of the war, when he was captured and, with other Confederate officers, imprisoned on Johnson’s Island. He participated in nearly all the great battles fought by the army of Northern Virginia and on two occasions was severely wounded—notably at Gettysburg, where he was shot through both legs. Some of these wounds never completely healed. A son of Gen. R. E. Lee was a member of the company.
After the surrender Colonel Brown moved to Texas and embarked in the mercantile and cotton commission business, and accumulated a considerable fortune, which, however, was lost in subsequent ventures through no fault of his.

He was a member of the Texas Senate a number of years, and made a State-wide reputation as a man of sound views and high ability.

He was elected Comptroller of Public Accounts in 1882 and filled the position one term. While so serving he was, by virtue of his office, a member of the board that contracted for the building of the present State capitol, and it was largely due to his good business sense, firmness, and knowledge of law that a contract was finally perfected that secured for Texas the most durable, imposing, and best appointed State capitol in the Union, for much less than others that rival it have cost.

During Gov. Ross’ administration he was State Oil Inspector. Prior and subsequent to holding this office, he was actively engaged in the practice of law. He ranked well at the bar. He was tendered

and accepted the position, previously spoken of, in the Comptroller’s department, upon Col. R. M. Love being elected Comptroller and taking charge of the department.

He was one of the organizers of John B. Hood Camp of Confederate Veterans at Austin in 1884, and was a member of its first board of trustees. The object had in view in forming the camp was to take the united action that resulted in establishing at Austin a home for disabled ex-

Confederate soldiers. As is well known the home was transferred to the State in 1891, under an act passed by the Twenty-second Legislature for that purpose. The bill providing for this transfer was drawn by a committee of three (of which he was a member), appointed by the camp. Upon the reorganization of the camp,

under an amendment to its charter permitting it to erect in the capitol grounds at Austin a monument to the Confederate dead, he lent his aid zealously to the new movement, and to him is due part of the credit for the noble cenotaph that now stands beneath the protecting shadow of our State house and that, with its heroic figures and inscriptions, will challenge the reverent attention of the people of many ages.

Year Book for Texas: party conventions, election returns, inauguration of Governor Lanham and Lieutenant-Governor Neal, legislative work, public officials and current reports of departments and state institutions, important events, obituaries of distinguished dead, industrial development, statistics, biographical sketches, and historical manuscripts never before published. Raines, Cadwell Walton, Austin, Tex.: Gammel-Statesman Pub. Co., 1903, pages 165-166. View image of this page on line.  Search Hundreds of 1880s-1920s Texas History Books for biographies and historical information on your ancestors.  View the book page images on line and print them out for your genealogy file!  Try the family history collection for free for 14 days!