Know ye, That reposing special trust and confidence in the abilities and integrity of Levi W. Brown of Ohio,  I have nominated, and by and with the advice of the Senate, do appoint his Consul of the United States of America, at Glasgow, and such other parts as shall be nearer thereto than to the residence of any other Consul of the United States of America, within the same allegiance; and do authorize and empower him to have and to hold the said office, and to exercise and enjoy all the rights, preeminences, priviliges and authorities to the same of right appertaining, subject to the conditions prescribed by law: The said Levi W. Brown, demanding and receiving no fees or perquisites of  office whatever, which shall not be expressly established by some law of the said United States, and I do hereby enjoin all Captains, Masters and Commanders of ships and other vessels, armed or unarmed, sailing under the flag of the said States as well as all other of their citizens, to acknowledge and consider him the Said Levi W. Brown, accordingly and I do hereby pray and request HER BRITANNIC MAJESTY, Her Governors and Officers to permit the said Levi W. Brown, fully and peacably to enjoy and exercise the said office, without giving, or suffering to be given unto him, any molestation or trouble; but on the contrary, to afford him all the proper countenance and assistance; I offering to do the same for all those who shall in like manner be recommended to me by Her said Majesty.  In testimony whereof, I have caused these letters to be made Patent, and the SEAL of the UNITED STATES to be hereunto affixed.  Given under my hand, at the CITY OF WASHINGTON, the Sixteenth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty-nine, and of the Independence of the Unied States of America the one hundred and fourteenth.

CONSUL APPOINTMENT: 
Glasgow, Scotland - Levi W. BROWN
From: ditsymm@twelve22.net

Year 1889 - Probate Judge Levi W. Brown, 
Wauseon, Fulton Co., OH

Department of State
Washington, June 18, 1889

Levi W. Brown, Esquire
Appointed Consul of the United States Glasgow

Sir:

In transmitting the notice of your appointment to the office of Consul at Glasgow, I have further to acquaint you that you are entitled to compensation at the rate of your salary from the time when you shall reach your post and enter upon your official duties to the time when you shall cease to hold such office; and also for such time as you shall be actually and necessarily occupied in receiving your instructions, not to exceed thirty days; and, finally, for the time actually and necessarily occupied in making the direct transit between the place of your residence when appointed and your post of duty, at the commencement and termination of the period of your official service, not exceeding twenty days. Your compensation is fixed by law at $3,000 per annum, at which rate you will be paid for the periods of service above mentioned. Your compensation will begin with the date on which you subscribed the enclosed oath of allegiance and of office. When this act is performed you will be entitled to compensation for a period so long as may be necessary, not exceeding thirty days, while you are actually occupied in receiving instructions.  At the expiration of this period you will receive your passport, and be paid for the number of days during which you may have been occupied in receiving instructions.  On your arrival at your post of duty, you will be authorized to draw compensation for the period actually and necessarily occupied in making the transit by the usual direct route, not exceeding the number of days above mentioned.  No allowance is made for travelling expenses, nor is transportation provided by the United States. Office rent, at a rate not exceeding twenty percent of the annual compensation, is allowed to Consuls and Commercial Agents whose salaries, as fixed by law, exceed $4,000 per annum, and to no others. If a greater amount than twenty percent is paid for office rent, it must be paid from your own compensation; if a less amount, no greater charge against the United States than the sum actually paid can be allowed.

I am Sir,
Your obedient servant,
William F. Wharton, Assistant Secretary
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Department of State
Washington, June 25, 1889

Levi W. Brown, Esquire
Consul of the United States
Glasgow, now at Wauseon, Ohio

Sir:

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your dispatch under date of the 24th instant. The official bond inclosed therein has been approved and deposited with the Secretary of Treasury. An official passport is transmitted to you herewith and under a separate cover of the Consular Regulations has been sentto your address. The receipt of these documents should be acknowledged.

I am sir,
your obedient servant,
William F. Wharton, Assistant Secretary
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Department of State
Washington, July 6, 1889

Levi W. Brown, Esq.
Appointed Consul of the United States,
Glasgow, Now at Wauseon, Ohio

Sir,

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 1st instant 
and also to inform you that you should spend two days in the Department prior to your departure for your consulate in order to become familiar with the character of the business at your consulate.

I am sir,
Your obedient servant,
William F. Wharton, Acting Secretary

Back to BROWN FAMILY Links

Funeral Services Were Conducted in Home Sunday

Mrs. Esther Stone Brown, 86 years of age, passed away at her home on East Oak Street last Friday morning after a short illness. She was born in Nappanok, NY and came to Wauseon to live in 1875 and in same year went to work for the New York Central railroad here as a telegraph operator and agent [see corresponding article submitted 11/30/98].

In 1883 she married Mr. L. W. Brown, who was appointed United States consul to Glasgow, Scotland by President Harrison in 1889 and served in that capacity until 1893. For three terms Mr. Brown was probate judge in this county and was one of the organizers of the Toledo & Indiana railroad. In 1900 he was permanent chairman of the Democratic national convention at Kansas City which nominated William Jennings Bryan was president. Mr. Brown passed away a number of years ago.

Mrs. Brown is survived by a daughter, Miss Ruth Brown [later known as Mrs. Reas Campbell], local school teacher, with whom she made her home;  a son Walter of Piqua, OH; a sister Miss Eliza Stone, 91, of Oswego, NY and a brother Mr. Hoxie Stone, 77 of Clarksville, OH and three stepsons Albert Brown of NY;  Maynard Brown of Clyde, OH; and George Brown of Wauseon.

Mrs. Brown was a very brilliant lady. She was quiet and unassuming and was very well liked by everyone who knew her.

Funeral services were conducted Sunday afternoon in the home of Rev. Roy C. Vandegriff and interment was in the Wauseon cemetery.

Pioneer, judge, consul to Scotland, all of these was Levi Walter Brown (father of Mrs. Reas Campbell).

Levi Walter Brown, born 1841, was the youngest child of Benjamin and Ruth (Reynolds) Brown who came to Franklin Township from Vermont in 1837. Levi as a youngster grew up in a log cabin, went to school, and finally became a teacher. He ran a general store in Burlington, then in 1880 moved to Wauseon.

It was about this time that his political career began, for in 1879 he had been elected Probate Judge of Fulton County. He was quite active in local, state, and National politics being instrumental in the election of Governor Foraker to the Ohio Governship and himself being nominated in the primaries for governor of Ohio although he later withdrew his name.

In 1889 Brown received an appointment from President Harrison as consul for Glasgow, Scotland. He remained in this position several years, his daughter,  Mrs. Reas Campbell [Ruth Armstrong Brown Campbell] being born there.

Brown's wife and her sister achieved prominence too for they were among the first women telegraphers. Mrs. Brown worked in the Office of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railroad here in Wauseon. Mrs. Brown's sister Esther Stone was a telegrapher in Chicago at the time of the great fire and was none of those who remained at her post until all that could be done was accomplished. Miss Stone, who was written up in Time magazine, died on the 68th anniversary of the fire.

Always lovingly remembered with many thoughts passed down through the years - ancestors before me and descendants in front of me - I do love being in the middle!!

Published in the "Wauseon Republican" 19 August 1954

Wauseon Had Top Flight Telegrapher There is an interesting story to come out of the past of Esther Stone Brown and her sister Eliza Stone.

Esther Brown came to Wauseon in the early Seventies as a Telegrapher for the "Old Lake Shore." She had served as a telegrapher at Wakeman, Ohio and one other place before coming to Wauseon. She and he sister Eliza, were two of the first women operators in the United States.

Mrs. Brown's sister was rated on of the best in the country and was in Chicago at the time of the "great fire" of 1871. She stayed at her post until  the flames drove her away. She left in a wagon with many others. She and her two roommates buried their trunks before leaving the city. When Miss Stone went back for hers, it was gone. Eliza came to Wauseon and lived with her sister Esther for a while before going to Oswego, NY where she lived to be 97.  Esther Stone was the telegrapher in Wauseon until she married Judge Brown in1883.

She was the mother of Mrs. Reas Campbell 
[Ruth Armstrong (Brown) Campbell].

A fine, beautiful life passed on in the death of Mrs. Esther Brown at her home on East Oak Street early Friday morning of last week. She had nearly reached the four score and seven years of age at the time of her passing.

She was the widow of the late Probate Judge L. W. Brown of this county.  During the administration of President Benj. Harrison, he was appointed consul to Glasgow, Scotland where he and his family resided there for several years.

Mrs. Brown was a very likable talented lady and in her younger years took an active part in those circles where a lady's influence and work is helpful.  She was a great reader and a most delightful person with whom to associate.  She was a devoted Christian woman.

She had been in ill health for some time and was a most patient sufferer. She knew the end was not far distant and quietly passed away in her sleep.

She is survived by her daughter, Ruth with whom she lived and who gave her every care and attention; a son Walter of Piqua, and by three stepsons - George Brown living on a farm southeast of Wauseon; Albert Brown of New York City; and Maynard Brown of Clyde and a large circle of friends.

The funeral services were held from the home at five o'clock Sunday afternoon conducted by Rev. Roy C. Vandegriff pastor of the First Methodist

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH: , Fulton Co., OH Probate Judge for three terms Wauseon, Fulton Co., OH 1879 -
This sketch was published in Glasgow, Scotland as an introduction and greeting to the Brown family when L. W. Brown was stationed there by then President Benjamin Harrison who appointed him as U. S.Consul. There were beautiful artists portraits of each family member Levi W. Brown, his third wife Esther Stone Brown, children Ruth Brown, Wilma Brown, Walter Brown, Maynard, Albert, George and Charles.

Consul Levi W. Brown of Ohio and His Interesting Family - Uncle Sam Provides Good Quarters at Glasgow - A Consul's Varied Duties (Special Correspondence) Glasgow, August 29 - One of the first United States consuls to be appointed during the present administration was Levi W. Brown, of Wauseon, O, who now represents Uncle Sam at Glasgow. This is said to be one of the most lucrative offices in the gift of the government. It is, however, is a slight mistake or the others must be poor indeed. With a salary of $3,000, the very best that could be done with the perquisites does not bring $7,000 a year.

There is one thing that may be truly said of this United States consulate and that is the offices are the finest in appearance and most convenient of any in Europe. As a rule these offices are shabby, dingy and most poverty stricken.  Why should Uncle Sam select a man capable of representing the country in a creditable manner and then give him an office which takes away the dignity of his position by its very ordinary appearance? Many a man has been appointed to a consulate who would in the proper sort of surroundings have commanded all the respect and recognition due to an important and great country. But with a very meager salary with which to do any entertaining and such a poor showing in the way of a consulate, the representatives of the United States cannot keep up with the pompous dignitaries of other countries.

The consulate of Glasgow, however, is a very nice neighborhood removed from the din and noise of the main thoroughfares and in a part of the city where rents are low. Nothing could be nicer than the situation of the building which is on the corner of Washington and West Regent streets both wide clean quiet streets. The building itself is a five story graystone affair, very much like all the other buildings in Glasgow. Our consul has a suite of three rooms on the ground floor, all light, pleasant and comfortably furnished. Judge Brown has added furnishings which help greatly in make the reception room appear homelike and comfortable.

The government does not provide a residence for the consul, and if the rents in Glasgow were very high our consul on his meager salary would not be living in the fashionable part of the city. As it is, he has a nice three story house in the west end. This is about two miles from the office.

Judge Brown is to return to America on a short business trip in a few days and it is with the pleasure of a schoolboy that he thinks of it. When asked the other day if he intended to take an active part in the coming campaign, he said that was an undecided question.

Consul Brown was a member of the Republican state central committee of Ohio for several years. He was also a member of the state executive committee and chairman of its finance committee. He was probate judge in his country for three terms. He has also taken active part in church affairs, is a member of the M. E. Church and has been a lay delegate to every lay conference held since that provision has been incorporated into the church government. He was also a member of the general conference in 1880.

The judge is the firm friend of his party and a warm personal friend of both Governor Foraker and Senator Sherman. His hand is always extended to Americans and as he himself says "His latchstring is always out to his countrymen." Socially he and his family have been well received and have made many warm friends among the Scotch people. The judge is a member of the new club, which is nonpolitical.

Mrs. Brown, who was previous to her marriage a Miss Esther Stone, of New York State, enjoys the life in Scotland very much. The Climate, which is particularly trying to most Americans seems to agree with her perfectly. The whole family have enjoyed excellent health during their sojourn in Scotland and that is saying a great deal for there are a good many of them.

There are seven children, including the eldest son Charles M. Brown [submitters grandfather] who is still in Wauseon. He has just graduated and will enter business. The next is Miss Wilma E. Brown a charming young woman who shines in Glasgow society quite as gracefully as she did in that of her native town. George Clayton Brown, who only arrived from Ohio last month is the next son. He is very much pleased with his father's post, but will return and enter business in partnership with his elder brother in the course of a few months. Maynard Dalton is the next son, he is his father's deputy.

Albert M., a younger son, is attending the Kelvinside academy in Glasgow. This is an excellent school for boys, and his portrait will show that they have a good example of what bright American boys are like. Walter Converse, although still a very small boy, bids fair to fill some high political position someday for he is now a most perfect diplomat. Ruth Armstrong Brown, the baby, a "bonny wee Scotch lassie," came as a New Year's gift to the family on Jan. 1, 1890. She is a beautiful child and the pride of the family as well as of all who know her.

The accompanying portrait of Levi W. Brown has been taken since he came to Glasgow. He has changed the cut of his beard. He formerly wore a longer beard without the mustache.

When he first came to Glasgow, all the papers were writing about the arrival of the new consul and a number printed the his portrait made from photographs and sketches. A Dundee paper could get neither, so they published with their article a portrait of a typical Brother Jonathon with a long hooked nose, thin, angular features and the regulation chin whiskers. The judge took it as a good joke and has kept the sketch and when any one asks him for a photograph he hand that to them as a good likeness.

It was once said of Bret Harte who was the predecessor of Francis H. Underwood, the predecessor of the present consul, "that the only man that did not know the location of the United States consulate was the United States consul," as he spent so much time in London. That never could be said of the present consul.

The most interesting outing he has had was on the Fourth of July this year when, together with three other consuls, their family and about forty others, he went to the battlefield of Bannockburn for a Forth of July celebration.  They had fireworks and a regular American day of it.

Among the greatest trials of the Glasgow office is the trouble with the cattlemen and in many cases their wives. On the ships coming into Glasgow with live stock, to every twenty-five head of cattle shipped from America there is one man allowed or provided for until they get to Scotland. Then he must get back. And in most cases they spend, lose, or drink their money then fly to the consul to get them home. This, however, is not the most trying part, for they sometimes bring their wives with them and desert them, very often taking this means of ridding themselves of them. Of course they apply to Judge Brown and as this government makes no provisions for them, very often he pays their passage home not knowing whether he will ever be repaid or not. Sara Bliss.
 

Where do I begin? While teaching in England, I made it a point to visit the home my great-aunt Ruth Armstrong Brown was born while her father Levi W. Brown (of whom this article pertains) was U. S. Consul in Glasgow, Scotland - the home over the years has been a private residence, an orphanage, and, in 1976, a school with the headmistress residing in private quarters on the third floor. I brought back photos to share with my family and indeed my great-aunt recalled the memories spoken so fondly upon their return to Ohio of the house, it's stained glass window in the bathroom (which was still intact and beautiful as shown in one of the pictures I had taken), the large kitchen, and parlor. Of course, by this time many of the rooms on the first two levels had been converted into classrooms yet the house was still very much in a wonderful neighborhood and very stately in appearance. Lovingly submitted and every grateful to be a member of such a wonderful family of Brown's and all those who married into the family - thank you for blessing me with such a wonderful family line of ancestors and descendants alike!!

 
The following articles were published in 1896 in reference to the
congressional district election, people's nominee for Congress: L. W. BROWN

AT LAST, FREE SILVER MEN WILL HAVE A CANDIDATE - L. W. BROWN OFFERED A CONGRESSIONAL NOMINATION - BROPHY ASKED TO STEP OFF THE TICKET - MR. BROWN'S ELECTION POSITIVELY ASSURED.

The nomination of Stephen Brophy for congress by a packed gold bug convention has been the fly in the political ointment in this congressional district ever since the campaign began.  Mr. Brophy's course has added to the discontent and the result has been that a true out and out free silver man had been nominated. That man is Hon. L. W. Brown of Wauseon. Mr. Brown is a man of marked ability and can do more for Toledo in the next congress than any other living man. The campaign in this district has reached a point where it is evident that a genuine free silver man who in all other aspects fills the bill can be elected. The people's party committee therefore met Saturday and named Mr. Brown. The committee was authorized to take this action by the convention which recently met in this city. Mr. Brown has not yet been seen and it is known that he is not seeking such nomination. Indeed it is offered to him contrary to his wishes. But this is a time when honest and ernest men all over the country are making sacrifices and it is believed that Mr. Brown will take this view of it.  The importance of securing a free silver congress as well as president cannot be overlooked.Mr. Brown will have the full indorsement and support of the Democratic party through its committees in the various counties. He is 2,000 votes stronger in Toledo than is Brophy. There can be no doubt of his election if he will consent to run.  This nomination will put new life in the campaign. Let every votes no prepare to perform his whole duty.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

JUDGE BROWN - A Wauseon Man for Secretary of State - Said to Have been Selected at a Republican Conference - He Can Have the Honor for the Asking - Morey Talked of, but He Didn't Want It.

Special Dispatch to Commercial Gazette 1896
Columbus, O. Feb. 23 - The conference of Republican politicians held in this
city on last Thursday was exclusively mentioned in the Commercial Gazette of Friday morning. The purpose of this conference was to select and put forward a candidate for Secretary of State other than those already in the field for that office. Ex-Congressman Henry L. Morey, of Hamilton, was first fixed upon but it later became apparent that he was out of the question as he would not consent to make the race. Since then there has been much casting about for a candidate, and many names have been discussed by the prime movers in last Thursday's conference. A conclusion has finally been reached and a candidate for the office agreed upon in the person of Judge Brown of Wauseon. It is not know what his feelings are in the matter, but every inducement will be brought to bear on him to get him to make the race and the assurance is given him by the promoters of his candidacy that he will have a "cinch." It is said for Judge Brown that he is a gentleman of fine qualities. As an admirer expressed it tonight, he is a "four-time winner." Judge Brown's consent to permit the use of his name is anxiously awaited by the coterie of politicians who are behind his candidacy.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Another Richmond in the Field - Judge Brown of Wauseon

Columbus, O. Feb. 24 - A conference of Republican politicians was held in
this city on last Thursday. The purpose of this conference was to select and
put forward a candidate for Secretary of State other than those already in the
field for that office. A conclusion has finally been reached and a candidate for the office agreed upon in the person of Judge Brown of Wauseon. It is not known what his feelings are in the matter but every inducement will be brought to bear on him to get him to make the race and the assurance is given him by the promoters of his candidacy that he will have a cinch - Toledo Blade, Monday Judge Brown has filled the office of Probate Judge two terms to the complete satisfaction of men of all parties and served as consul to Glasgow, Scotland under Harrison's administration to the credit of his country and his own honor.

 
In the Name and by the Authority of THE STATE OF OHIO

The State Board of School Examiners hereby issued this
Kindergarten and First ad Second Grades Life Certificate
to Ruth A. Brown

Who has been found to possess the Requisite Scholarship and who has exhibited satisfactory evidence of Good Moral Character, Ability and Experience as a Kindergarten and First and Second Grades Elementary School Teacher. This certificate of Qualifications shall supersede the necessity of any and all other elementary examinations by any Board of Examiners and shall be valid in all the Elementary Schools of any School District in the State of Ohio. Dated at Columbus, Ohio this 13th day of June, nineteen hundred twenty-eight.

Issued as Checked: On State Provisional Certificate # 375
Signed: H. N. Hodson, President
E. W. Howey (?), Clerk
Chas. Baithelmich (?)
Rachel S. Ruff
B. O. Skinner
State Board of Examiners

J. L. Clifton, Superintendent of Public Instruction

Subscriber Notes: Ruth Armstrong Brown graduated from Dr. Mary Law's
Kindergarten Training School in Toledo, 1909. Upon graduation, she taught in kindergarten in Toledo for four years. In 1914, she moved to Wauseon (Fulton Co.) to teach first grade where she served faithfully for 29 years, until retiring in 1942. Here some links to photos of 2 of Ruth's former school classes.