Oliver Huff Brown
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Oliver Huff Brown | |
|---|---|
| Member of the New Jersey Senate from Monmouth County | |
| In office 1903–1912 | |
| Preceded by | Charles Asa Francis |
| Succeeded by | John W. Slocum |
| Member of the New Jersey General Assembly from Monmouth County | |
| In office 1897–1898 | |
| Mayor of Spring Lake, New Jersey | |
| In office 1890 – April 2, 1924 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 12, 1852 |
| Died | April 2, 1924 (aged 71) |
| Party | Republican |
Oliver Huff Brown (December 12, 1852 – April 2, 1924) was an American businessman and Republican Party politician who represented Monmouth County, New Jersey in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1897 to 1898 and the New Jersey Senate from 1903 to 1912.
Oliver Huff Brown was born on December 12, 1852, in Farmingdale, New Jersey, to Peter and Sarah (née Megill) Brown. His father was a Scottish immigrant who fought for the Union army and was wounded at the Battle of Cold Harbor before dying in Libby Prison.[1][2]
Brown was educated in the local public schools.[2]
Business career
After graduating school in 1871, Brown worked as a clerk at a country store for two years before going to work for John A. Githen in Asbury Park as a business manager for eight years, which required him to frequently travel internationally to Europe. In 1881 or 1882, he established his own business in Spring Lake, selling furniture, fine china, and bric-à-brac glass. The business grew rapidly and he subsequently opened branches in Lakewood Township in 1891 and later in Asbury Park. By his death in 1924, he was one of the leading furniture sellers on the coast.[1][2]
Following his success in business, Brown had a length career in finance. He served as president of the First National Bank of Spring Lake and First National Bank of Lakewood and as a director of banks and trusts throughout Monmouth County and Lakewood.[1][2]
He was also the owner of several hotels on the Jersey Shore and in the White Mountains at Jefferson, New Hampshire.[1]