Elam Brown
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The Honorable Elam Brown | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | June 10th 1797 Herkimer, New York |
| Died | August 10, 1889 Lafayette, Contra Costa, California |
| Occupation(s) | Politician, Rancher, Pioneer, Soldier |
| Known for | Aiding in the settlement of California and its creation as a U.S State, founding the City of Lafayette |
| Title | Alcalde, Constitutional Delegate, Legislative Assemblyman, Justice of the Peace |
| Political party | Whig |
| Spouse | Sarah Allen (married 9 Jan 1823) |
| Children | 1 Daughter and 3 Sons |
| Parent(s) | Maj. Thomas Brown and Elizabeth Lynde |
Elam Brown (June 10, 1797 - August 10, 1889) was an early pioneer, settler, and politician in California, founding the City of Lafayette, and serving as an Alcalde, Representative for the District of San Jose at the California Constitutional Convention, and as an assemblyman in the state legislature.[1]
Elam Brown was born on June 10, 1797, in Herkimer, New York, to parents Major Thomas Brown and Elizabeth "Betsy" Lynde, farmers. Thomas was a pioneer in his own right, bringing his family into the wilderness of Ohio, where they were some of the first settlers in what is today Delaware County, Thomas building the first brick house in the township of Berkshire, briefly serving as Major of the county's Militia, and later in the War of 1812 as a Sergeant.[2] Elam moved with his parents first to Berkshire, Massachusetts as an infant, and then to the frontier of Ohio in 1804 at the age of six. From childhood, Elam displayed a love for learning, becoming interested in literature, history, and geography. His father, Thomas, died in 1815, leaving control of the estate in Elam's hands until 1818. Thereafter, now aged 21, Elam set out on a 500-mile journey, by foot, to the French trading post of St. Louis, from there rafting the Missouri River, before settling to farm in Illinois for about 4 years. It was during this time he met his first wife, Sarah Allen. Gradually farming further North, Elam helped to organize an area of wilderness into Morgan County, where he would spend most of the next 14 years (barring seasonal stints in lead mines of Wisconsin), serving for 12 years as Justice of the Peace. In the Fall of 1836, he moved again to the banks of the Missouri River, clearing himself a large farm and helping to organize Platte County. His wife, Sarah, died in 1843, and in 1846, he resolved to move West to the Pacific Coast.
The Journey to California
Gathering a party of 14 pioneer families in Platte County, of which he was appointed Captain, Elam set out from St. Joseph on May 1, 1846, with 16 wagons, which grew to a train of 30 wagons with the convergence of other parties on the plains. Both great adversities and great amazements occurred along the journey. A stampede resulted in the loss of 120 cattle and oxen, causing a weeks delay. Near Fort Laramie, the party encountered a group of about 300 mounted Sioux warriors, apparently headed North to attack the Crows. Elam approached and hailed the great war-band, meeting with their Chief. The warriors briefly followed the party, Brown being informed by a French trader that they expected compensation in the form of a feast for the Pioneers having hunted out much of the local game on their journey. The feast was held the next morning a short distance from the camp, Elam speaking positively with the Chief and his men through an interpreter, before the warband disappeared beyond the river that afternoon. Passing through the Black Hills, they reached Independence Rock, forded rivers and climbed mountains to arrive at Fort Bridger. By this point, many members of the party had become gravely ill, including Elam's own son, Warren Brown, who was left behind at the fort. The party continued wearily along the Snake River, turning South into Humboldt, Nevada, where several of the party were buried, succumbing to "plains fever", likely caused from drinking the oxen and cattle's milk.[3]
In California
Their spirits lifted as they travelled up the Truckee River, finding themselves before the Sierras, as Winter drew near. With great effort, they drew their wagons through the mountains one by one, making it through the difficult pass just a few days before the ill-fated Donner Party, who had previously travelled with Brown's party in the plains before splitting up. Elam and his party entered California on October 10, 1846, arriving at Johnson's Ranch before camping in the area of present-day Sacramento. From Sutter's Fort, he made arrangements to travel to Santa Clara, participating in the defense of the American families in the area in the wake of the Mexican-American War. Elam Brown spent the Summer of 1847 whip-sawing San Antonio redwood lumber, ferrying it across the Bay to San Francisco.[4]