Senator John Dana Brown View All Years

Compiled Historical Information
Date of Death: 6/25/1927
Birth Place: Norwalk, Ohio
Party Affiliation: Republican
Assemblies Served:
Senate: 33 (1909) - 34 (1911)
Home County: Decatur
John Dana Brown
Decatur County
Senator from the Fifth District, composed of Decatur, Ringgold and Union counties, was born of Scotch-Irish and English parentage near Norwalk, Huron county, Ohio, on the first of August, 1840. Was educated in the rural schools of Huron county, Ohio, until fourteen years of age, at which time he moved with his parents to Decatur county, Iowa, and finished his school work in Decatur county. Has been for years actively engaged in farming, stock raising and shipping and has been for years a member of the commission firm of Brown Bros, and Ballinger, of Union Stock Yards, Chicago, Illinois. Served as a member of the board of supervisors of Decatur county and held various township offices. Also served as a member of the State Agricultural Board and was one of the committee which purchased the state fair grounds. At present is managing a farm of 500 acres and feeding, buying and selling stock. Enlisted in Company L, 3d Regiment, Iowa Cavalry Volunteers as a private, August 9, 1861, and served during the war. Was made Sergeant, then Second Lieutenant in February, 1862, and was promoted to the Captaincy in March, 1864. Was taken prisoner at the battle of Heartsville, Missouri, January 11, 1863. Was wounded at the battle of Big Blue and left on the field to die, lying on the field two days before picked up. After the capture of Jeff Davis by Wilson's Cavalry corps was detailed with one hundred men of third Iowa Cavalry to guard prisoner and party from train at Augusta, Georgia, to boat on Savannah river. Was mustered out of service at Atlanta, Georgia, and discharged at Davenport, Iowa, September, 1865. Elected Senator in 1908. A Republican in politics.