Notes for: Aloysius Lewis Brown
Subject: North Arm near Paris, Ill
Date: Mon, 25 Jun 2001
From: "Patrick Brown" (unclepaddyboy at worldnet.att.net)
Hi Cousin Dave,
In your notes about John M. Bodine you state:
In 1993, Susan McCullough-Dennell visited the little church at North Arm near
Paris, Illinois. She said it is full of Bodines.
I can confirm that there are Bodines buried at this church. This church is
still in use as the parish of Saint Aloysius. The church is one of the oldest
continuously operating congregations in the midwest. The church was founded by
none other than Aloysius Lewis Brown. Here is some information from my notes
in FTM:
From the 1985 Lawse history letter: " The year 1817 saw Alousius moving to
Illinois Territory. The trip was made with one horse. Aloysius walked along
side while Elizabeth rode carrying their newborn child. Their settlement on
the North Arm of the Prairie was one of the first West of the Wabash River on
land made available for entry by the Harrison Purchase Act of 1805. Barnaby
Reynold's family followed one year later. Shortly after arriving on their new
land, Aloysius and a neighbor set out for Fort Dearborn with an ox team to
obtain necessities for their survival on the frontier. Nails, flour and
ammumition were among the items needed. The trip to Fort Dearborn was
grueling. There were no roads by which they could travel. It took nearly two
months for the pair to arrive back home safely with the supplies. On the way
home they had met with a near disaster. It seems a ford in the river was
missed and with the river swollen by recent rains, the wagon was swept into
deeper water. The pair managed to save almost all the precious supplies. "
"In the early days ot the settlement on the North Arm of the Prarie, Aloysius
was appointed leader and preceptor of the growing number of Catholic families,
by Father Stephen Theodore Badin, first priest born in the United States.
Aloysius taught the children to read and write. He presided at religious
services in his house, babtized and officiated at marriages until a priest
made his missionary rounds to reconfirm the marriages performed by Aloysius.
In 1831 there were twenty Catholic who had not seen a priest in six years
according to father Lawrence Picot. Four years later, there were sixty
Catholic families at North Arm when Bishop Brute visited. These Catholics has
hoped to have a priest stationed there but had to have a church first.
Aloysius donated a portion of his land and made the bricks to be used for the
church which was dedicated as St. Aloysius Church in 1837 by Father LaLumiere.
The year 1832 found Aloysius enlisting in Captain James M. Blackburn's Company
of Illinois mounted Volunteers as a 2nd Leiutenant to fight the Indian, Black
Hawk. One day after the Battle of Bad Axe, which ended the Black Hawk War,
Aloysius is furloughed at the Mississippi River"
I was able to visit this church in about 1995. I did not have a lot of time,
but I did see grave markers with the family name Bodine.
With Best Regards, Pat Brown
From: Sister Susan Karina Dickey [sdickey at dio.org]
Sent: Saturday, August 09, 2003
Subject: Of possible interest
Aloysius and Elizabeth Brown of North Arm, Edgar County, Illinois, were the
first Catholic settelers within the present boundaries of the Diocese of
Springfield in Illinois. I came across your website while doing some research
on the Browns. Our 1928 diocesan history contains some information regarding
two persons I did not find in your compilation.
Jane Brown, daughter of Aloysius, became a member of the Sisters of Providence
at St. Mary of the Woods, Indiana, in 1844. She served as superior mother for
many years. In religious life she was known as Sister Anastasia. She died
August 10, 1918. Date and place of birth is not provided.
Ann and Alma Brown, daughters of James Brown, and granddaughters of Aloysius
also became Sisters of Providence. I found an "Anna" in your list, known in
religious life as Sr. Mary Gertrude. My source indicates that the dates of
birth could not be determined, but both sisters were still living as of 1928.
James Brown was reported to be the first white child born in Edgar County.
Source: Thompson, Joseph, J., editor and compiler, The Diocese of Springfield
in Illinois, Diamond Jubilee, 1853-1928. Springfield: James A. Griffin,
Bishop of Springfield, 1928, p. 199.
Best wishes,
Susan Karina Dickey, O.P., Ph.D.
Director of Archives & Diocesan Historian
Diocese of Springfield in Illinois
P.O. Box 3187, Springfield, IL 2704
Ph. 217-522-3986
From: Pat Brown [myradioranch at comcast.net]
Sent: Sunday, January 16, 2005 4:17 AM
To: radio_ranch at yahoo.com
Subject: Re: Mary Louisa Brown Daughter of Aloysius Lewis Brown
Hi Cousin Dave,
...
Here are my notes about the Aloysius Lewis Brown family:
From the Mower County Register (newspaper) of Thursday February 25th, 1864:
Death of Aloysius Brown
Mr. Aloysius Brown (,) one of our oldest citizens, died Tuesday night last.
Mr. Brown was one of our first citizens and (a) most energetic and substantial
man. His business qualities and energy made him a valuable citizen. His death,
therefore, will be deeply felt by the whole community.
{Recieved 10/6/76 from Mrs. Guckeen}
From the 1985 Lawse history letter: " The year 1817 saw Alousius moving to
Illinois Territory. The trip was made with one horse. Aloysius walked along
side while Elizabeth rode carrying their newborn child. Their settlement on
the North Arm of the Prairie was one of the first West of the Wabash River on
land made available for entry by the Harrison Purchase Act of 1805. Barnaby
Reynold's family followed one year later. Shortly after arriving on their new
land, Aloysius and a neighbor set out for Fort Dearborn with an ox team to
obtain necessities for their survival on the frontier. Nails, flour and
ammumition were among the items needed. The trip to Fort Dearborn was
grueling. There were no roads by which they could travel. It took nearly two
months for the pair to arrive back home safely with the supplies. On the way
home they had met with a near disaster. It seems a ford in the river was
missed and with the river swollen by recent rains, the wagon was swept into
deeper water. The pair managed to save almost all the precious supplies. "
"In the early days ot the settlement on the North Arm of the Prarie, Aloysius
was appointed leader and preceptor of the growing number of Catholic families,
by Father Stephen Theodore Badin, first priest born in the United States.
Aloysius taught the children to read and write. He presided at religious
services in his house, babtized and officiated at marriages until a priest
made his missionary rounds to reconfirm the marriages performed by Aloysius.
In 1831 there were twenty Catholic who had not seen a priest in six years
according to father Lawrence Picot. Four years later, there were sixty
Catholic families at North Arm when Bishop Brute visited. These Catholics has
hoped to have a priest stationed there but had to have a church first.
Aloysius donated a portion of his land and made the bricks to be used for the
church which was dedicated as St. Aloysius Church in 1837 by Father LaLumiere.
The year 1832 found Aloysius enlisting in Captain James M. Blackburn's Company
of Illinois mounted Volunteers as a 2nd Leiutenant to fight the Indian, Black
Hawk. One day after the Battle of Bad Axe, which ended the Black Hawk War,
Aloysius is furloughed at the Mississippi River"
From _Barth-Hichey Ancestry_ David B. Boles Self Published 1993:
108. ALOYSIUS LEWIS BROWN W12V [24]
b. 18 Jan 1793 [2,19,21,22} In Bladensburg, Prince Georges co, Md
[1,2,20,22,24]
m. Aug 1814 [11,12] in Fairfield, Nelson co, Ky [2,11,19]
d. 23 Feb 1864 [11,19,21,31] in Austin, Mower co, Minn [II]
bur. Calvary cem, Austin [5,21]
son of Ignatius Brown, Jr. [2,11] and (1) Monica Reynolds [11,24]
spouse - 109. ELIZABETH DRURY [2,3,19,21,25]
b. 1788 [2,19,21,23] in St. Mary's co? [7], Md [1,22]
d. 3 Apr 1868 [19,21] in Austin, Mower co, Minn [II]
bur. Calvary cem, Austin [5,21]
dau. of ignatius Drury? [9] and Anastacia French?
ca 1812 - Aloysius Brown fought in the War of 1812 [24].
1 Aug 1814 - Aloysius Brown married Elizabeth Drury, in Fairfield, Nelson co,
Ky [11,12]. It is said that in Ky, the pronunciation of his name was
A-loy-sius, with stress on the second syllable [24].
Spring 1817 - Aloysius Brown, "Being tired of clearing land in the heavy
forests of Kentucky . . . determined to have a farm on the prairies of the
West" [19]. He moved to the Illinois Territory, one of five pioneers who were
the first to settle in what became Edgar co, III [11,17]:
"The first settlement in Edgar County was made along the timbered margin of
the 'North Arm' of Grand Prairie, which extends deep into the county on its
eastern side, and was originally known as WAYNE PRECINCT.
"This precinct embraced in its boundaries the present townships of Hunter,
Brouilletand Stratton, with the northern tier of sections of Elbridge . . ."
[17]
He made the move to North Arm:
". . . at Father Stephen T. Badin's suggestion, to act in the absence of a
priest as a leader of the new stream of Catholic settlers. In the following
spring his brother-in-law, Barnaby Reynolds and his wife, Monica Brown
Reynolds, and several of his brothers, also Kentuckians and Marylanders,
followed, and within the next few years a number of
Kentucky Catholics settled on the fine fertile prairies of
Edgar County . . .Among them were the Blanfords, Lightfoots,
Bodines, and McCarthys. . . . The Kickapoo Indians were still very numerous in
this section, and the little Catholic Kentuckians played with the Indian
children." [24]
Of the the removal of Aloysius and Elizabeth Brown from Ky to III, it is said
that, "Their worldly goods consisted at that time of a young mare. a scanty
wardrobe, an ax, a Kentucky rifle and thirty dollars in money. A
neighbor presented them with an old horse which he had turned out to die.
Thus equipped they started for Illinois, a distance of about 300 miles. Mrs
Brown rode the mare and carried the baby. The old horse carried their
clothing and a little stock of provisions, while Mr. Brown trudged along on
foot, carrying the ax, gun and money. They settled in the
northern part of Grand Prairie, Edgar county, Illinois. This was in the
spring of 1817. They were within twelve miles of the northwest corner of the
Ohio purchase, twenty miles from the fort at Terre Haute, Indiana. They had
but three white neighbors west of the fort, but plenty of Indians. After
their log cabin was built, quilts were hung up at the door and
windows." [19]
The settlement was reportedly "one of the first West of the Wabash River on
land made available for entry by the Harrison Purchase Act of 1805. . . ."
[II].
"Immediately after the family's arrival, Mr. Brown and a neighbor set out with
an ox team for Chicago in search of pioneer necessities, nails and window
glass for their cabin, flour and ammunition. Elizabeth Drury Brown was
compelled to remain alone in her husband's absence, her only protection a pair
of large mastiffs called bear dogs. She had gathered brushwood and built a
ring around the cabin so that if any wild animals appeared, the brush could be
fired to drive them away. One day the dogs treed a panther, but eventually
it came down and disappeared. Mr. Brown was away for over two months, so
long that it was feared he and his companion had met with disaster. In fact
on their way home when crossing a river swollen by rains, the oxen missed the
ford, and away went team, wagon, and provisions in the deep water. By
herculean exertion, everything was saved even most of the precious flour, and
they arrived 'safe at the cabin on the prairie at the North Arm." [24]. The
settlement was in what later became part of Hunter twp, Edgar co [17].
1818 - Aloscous (sic) Brown appeared in the State census of Illinois, in
Crawford co [6]. A portion of Crawford co became Clark co in 1819, and then
Edgar co in 1823.
Alosyus (sic) Brown was in the State census of Illinois, in Clark co. As
Alusysus (sic) Brown, he also appeared in the Federal census of 1820, in
"Wane" twp, Clark co, heading a family of lm45+, 2ml0-, and lfl0-[6].
Apparently his wife was not counted.
ca 1820? -- Although the date is unknown, the following event happened
possibly at this time:
"Mrs. Brown, wife of the above gentleman [Aloysius Brown], had but one dress,
and, one Saturday evening, washed and hung it on a chair before the fire to
dry, before retiring, in order that it might be ready to wear on Sunday. By
some means, the chair fell over during the night, and the dress, next morning,
was ashes. This left her, like Flora McFlimsey, with 'nothing to wear, '
except underclothing, and but one change of that. So, as a substitute for a
dress, she had to wear her husband's overcoat, although it was the month of
May and the weather quite warm. In this attire she dressed until she could
weave cloth and make a dress; for, be it remembered, friendly reader, there
were no stores to step out to and buy a few yards of calico, and ten chances
to one, if there had been a store at hand, there was no money to buy the
dress. As it happened, she had a piece of cloth in the loom, but she had no
"filling,' and robed in her quaint attire, she called on a neighbor to borrow
some for this case of extreme emergency." [17]
Also perhaps at about this time:
"In the early days of settlement on the North Arm of the Prairie, Aloysius was
appointed leader and preceptor of the growing number of Catholic families, by
Father Stephen Theodore Badin, first ordained priest in the United States.
Aloysius taught the children to read and write. He presided at religious
services in his house, baptized and officiated at marriages until a priest
made his missionary rounds to reconfirm the marriages performed by Aloysius.
In 1831 there were twenty Catholic[s] who had not seen a priest in six years
according to Father Lawrence Picot." [11,29]
Oct 1823 - Aloysius Brown was a member of "a grand jury of inquest" sworn in
Edgar Circuit Court, Edgar co, III [17].
1825 - The family of Robert J. Scott, Jr., took up residence in a cabin owned
by Aloysius Brown, on the North Arm prairie [17].
ca 1825 - William Murphy and Aloysius Brown built a mill, close to where in
1879 the Catholic Church stood in Hunter twp, Edgar co:
"This was a grist-mill, with ox instead of water or horse power, and had a
large 'tread-wheel,' upon which the oxen were placed, thus giving power to the
simple machinery." [17]
1830 - Alosius (sic) Brown was in the census of Edgar co. III [6].
19 June 1832 - Aloysius Brown, resident of Edgar co, enlisted as a 2nd
Lieutenant in Capt. Isaac Sanford's Co., 1st Regt., 2nd Brigade of Illinois
mounted volunteers, under United States service, to fight the so-called Black
Hawk War. He was furloughed at the Mississippi River two days after the
settlers' victory at the Battle of Bad Axe on August 2nd, which effectively
ended the war. His unit was present at the battle [11,13,14,18].
1835 - By this date there were 60 Catholic families at North Arm. in order to
have a priest stationed there, a church had to be built and:
"Aloysius Brown gave a site from his farm and learned the process of making
brick in order to erect the roomy and sturdy edifice which, named for him,
Saint Aloysius, and dedicated by Father Lalumiere late in 1837, did continuous
service for the Catholics of the vicinity till it was replaced by the present
church in 1900. The missionaries on their travels were always welcome to the
home of Aloysius Brown, and the Reverend Hippolyte Du Pontavice, the first
priest ordained by Bishop de la Hailandiere, spent the six months December,
1839, to June, 1840, learning English as a guest in the family before going
on to his first mission in Illinois, Juliet or Mount Juliet, now Joliet
..."[24]
1835 - Ann (Nancy) Brown, daughter of Aloysius, was a pupil at Saint Mary's
Female School, Vincennes, Knox co, Ind [24].
1837/8 - Ann (Nancy) Brown was a boarder at Vincennes, at Saint Mary's Academy
run by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth [26].
Sept 1838 - Accompanied by Father Deydier, Ann (Nancy) Brown journeyed to
Emmitsburg, Md [24]. There she "entered the novitiate of Mother Seton's
society of St. Joseph's, Emmitsburg [Md], and was given the name of Sister M.
Aurelia" [26], and became a Sister of Charity [24]:
"Like Mother Anastasie [Jane Brown, another daughter of Aloysius] she excelled
in the fine needlework which was so highly prized at the time, and the
sisters used to exchange patterns and choice bits of painting and 'fancy
work.'" [24]
1840/1 - Jane Brown visited St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Vigo co, Ind, sometime soon
after the arrival of the Sisters of Providence in that community in Fall 1840.
She later wrote:
"I remember visiting the new convent one Sunday after the Sisters came in
company with my father, who was already acquainted with Mother Theodore
[Foundress and 1st Superior General of the Sisters of Providence] owing to his
having furnished the brick for the new Academy. Sister Olympiade, who seemed
to be charged with entertaining visitors, met us and conducted us everywhere,
showing us in particular the new building of which only the kitchen was
finished. . . . When Mother Theodore came to meet us however, I was at once
completely won by her amiable manners. . . . Knowing of my desire to be a
religous, she took me at once to her heart in a way the memory of which is
today one of my dearest treasures." [24]
Subsequently:
"The Brown family despite the distance often heard Mass on Sunday at Saint
Mary-of-the-Woods after the Sisters [of Providence] came from France. . . .
[Aloysius Brown] was a devout and spiritual man looked up to by his children
as a saint. His Catholicism was of the sturdy type which welcomed
controversy, and he was much given to religious discussions with his
Protestant neighbors. He loved to talk of spiritual matters with Mother
Theodore, and she lent him books from the little library of works of piety
owned by the Community. Having learned to construct a kiln and make brick for
the church at North Arm, he later furnished the brick for the first Academy
building at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods . . ." [24]
ca Sept 1841 - Jane and Matilda Brown, daughters of Aloysius, were among the
first pupils at the new St. Mary's Academy for Young Ladies, located at St.
Mary-of-the-Woods. The advertised curriculum included "Reading, Writing,
Arithmetic, Geography and History, both Ancient and Modern, English
Composition, Natural Philosophy, Chemistry, Botany, Mythology, Biography,
Astronomy, Rhetoric, Plain and Fancy Needlework, Bead work. Tapestry, and Lace
work." The board and tuition were $100 a year, with additional charges made
for special courses such as French and music [24].
Of Jane it is written:
"She had developed an acute mind, a tractable and affectionate disposition,
and a considerable artistic talent. She became strongly attached to Mother
Theodore, for whom she felt an irresistable attraction and admiration which
continued to increase from year to year. Mother Theodore, in her turn,
greatly admired the sturdy Jane Brown. She took special interest in her
progress, teaching her mathematics and astronomy which were ever afterwards
studies of Jane's special predilection." [27]
23 Jan 1844 - Jane Brown "entered the novitiate of the Sisters of Providence
at St. Mary-of-the-Woods" [26], the first Academy student to do so [34]. It
is thought that her family may have opposed her becoming a nun. As Sister
Francis Xavier wrote:
"Jane Brown arrived at the Novitiate on the 23rd and is well satisfied. The
poor child has bought her vocation dearly if however contradictions are not
themselves a gift" [24].
Mar 1844 - On the return of some Sisters of Providence from France to
Vincennes, ind, Aloysius Brown "set out in his wagon to transport the
travelers and their baggage to the motherhouse [at St. Mary-of-the-Woods]. He
made the trip in six days . . ." [24]
ca 1844? - William Brown, son of Aloysius, was a student at St. Gabriel's
College, Vincennes, Ind [24].
10 Nov 1844 - Jane Brown was confirmed by Celestine de la Hailandiere, Bishop
of Vincennes [24].
1845 - The family of Aloysius Brown, excepting Jane, moved to Walworth co.
Wise [19], to escape an epidemic of malaria in III [24,30].
10 Aug 1845 - Jane Brown received the religious habit as Sister Anastasie
[24].
ca 1846 - A sketch was made by a Sister Maurice, showing "Anastasie as a
postulant making soap from wood ash, lye, and household fats in a large kettle
over an outdoor fire, on the borders of the brook [at St. Mary-of-the-Woods]"
[24].
1847 - Anastasie (Jane Brown) became a Sister of Providence, and undertook a
mission to St. Rose in Vincennes [26].
Jan 1849 - Sister Anastasie (Jane Brown) removed from Vincennes to Terre
Haute, Vigo co, ind, where she was on the faculty of the new' St. Vincent's
Academy, "a day school for young ladies", opened by the Sisters of Providence.
She was one of four sisters charged with starting the school [24,26].
1850- "A. Brown" headed a family in the town of Walworth, Walworth co. Wisc,
composed of himself, wife Elizabeth, and several children, grandchildren, and
in-laws. He was then a farmer holding property worth $200; his son William
was a farmer with property worth $1700 [22].
1851 - Sister Anastasie (Jane Brown) became superior at Terre Haute. An
anecdote of this period concerned Anastasie's attempt to confiscate a love
letter from a student, in which Mother Theodore intervened, telling Anastasie
never to ask a student for such a letter: "She will give you her right hand or
her eyes before she will give you her love letter, so never again, my child,
be so foolish as to ask for it." [24]
1853 - Sister Anastasie (Jane Brown) "opened the first house [i.e., Catholic
school] at Evansville", Vanderburgh co, Ind [26]:
"[She] was to conduct high school classes and give lessons in music, drawing
and painting, and needlework." [24]
A student who attended the Evansville school under Anastasie, and who later
(1859) attended St. Mary's when Anastasie was Superior at that academy, wrote:
"Mother [Anastasie] guarded and guided with ever earnest care and solicitude
the many years of our happy school life. Mother was with us first in the
morning and last at night. Mother sounded our morning gong to rise and
marshalled us to our 'respective' dormitories after night prayers. Strong in
mind and body, efficient in every walk of her convent life, we looked upon her
as a marvel. Her talents were unnumbered. The daintiest stroke of brush or
pen was hers; the most difficult problems of mathematics she mastered with
ease; as a linguist she surpassed; in music she was again proficient. The
outdoor labors in which the dear early Sisters were obliged to take part,
Mother's skill directed in many ways, and she always lent a strong and helping
hand." [26]
Further reminiscences of this or a later period stated:
"Her large, well-formed, capable hands, whose long fingers were wonderfully
dexterous, fashioned beautiful pencil sketches or wrought with delicate brush
exquisite flowers upon Agnus Dei's, ciborium covers, burses, and other
articles for the use of the sanctuary.
"A timid knock at the office door always met a kind invitation to enter; work
was laid aside, for Mother's politeness was practical, and 'Little One,' the
pet name by which every one was designated, had all the attention of her
charming hostess.
"'Mother Anastasie,' said General James Miller, the father of a former pupil
of the Academy, 'would grace a court. She has the finished manners of a
queen. Her dignity and refined carriage would make her conspicuous in the
most brilliant gathering, and few in that gathering could equal her
graciousness and affability."' [26]
Aug 1854 - Sister Anastasie (Jane Brown) was admitted to the Particular
Council of the Sisters of Providence [24].
1856 - Aloysius and Elizabeth Brown moved to Austin, Mower co, Minn, where
Aloysius purchased the store of A.B. and P.D. Vaughan [19]:
"His stock of goods was procured at Winona and McGregor, and were drawn here
by ox teams. In 1857-58 the people depended upon Mr. Brown to furnish them
with flour and corn meal, which was drawn from Chatfield and Decorah, Iowa. At
times the roads were so bad that it was almost impossible for a team to pass
over, or rather through them, and it required many days to make the journey.
As soon as it was learned that teams had been dispatched for a new supply of
meal, gold coin and sacks with the names of the owners and amount of meal
required securely tied to each, were deposited with Mr. Brown, to make sure of
a portion of the meal. On its arrival the amounts were put into each sack
and set away for those who had paid for it. The demand would sometimes
exceed the supply, so the amount dealt out to each would be diminished until
ten or fifteen pounds would be the most that he would sell to any one family.
When the meal was all distributed and there were yet families not supplied, a
raid would be made on the sacks that were filled and the contents distributed
among those that had no flour or meal to eat. In one instance a Norwegian
woman, having a large family, came before noon and stayed until 9 o'clock
trying to buy more than fifty pounds of meal, but when she saw the last of the
meal carried away by littles, she gave it up and went home." [19]
Of the storekeeper, it is written that:
"Mr. Brown was an earnest and practical member of the Catholic church, showing
by his daily conduct the sincerity and depth of his convictions. He was never
known to utter a profane or immodest word, and during the greater part of his
life was an example of practical total abstinence. Through his influence the
early visits of a priest were secured [in Austin], and the first Catholic
services in Austin were held at his house. He contributed liberally in money
and labor to furnish material for the Catholic church in Austin." [19] The
church so referred to was St. Augustine's Church [24].
1856 - Sister Anastasie (Jane Brown) became Directress of the Academy at
St.Mary-of-the-Woods [26].
7 Aug 1856 - Sister Anastasie (Jane Brown) was one of ten electors for the
General Chapter of 1856, of the Sisters of Providence [32].
3 May 1857 - Sister Mary Aurelia (Ann Brown) died at Emmitsburg, Md, and
reportedly, immediately at forward:
". . . during the three following nights she appeared to Sister
Marcelline Dorsey in the infirmary and warned her of her [i.e., Marcelline's]
approaching death and told her to prepare for it. The last time she appeared
she said to Sister: 'Is not God good to let me finish my purgatory here?"'
[24]
1860 - Sister Anastasie (Jane Brown) urged Mother Mary Cecilia, 2nd Superior
General of the Sisters of Providence, to begin construction of a new and
expanded Academy building. Although delays were experienced, the new building
was completed in July 1871 [26]. At this time:
"Sister Anastasie was gaining daily the greater esteem and love of the
Sisters. Her uprightness, her democratic and indiscriminating spirit
appealed to the majority. Added to these characteristics were those that
caused her to be recognized as a perfect Religious. Her integrity, her
constant self-discipline, undeviating adherence to the spirit and letter of
the Rule, loyalty to the Community; her unaffected affability to her Sisters,
her ever consistent consideration displayed towards each one, her spirit of
generous service and sacrifice made her stand out, not only as a woman of God,
but also as a person eminently worthy of trust and confidence." [26]
31 Mar 1861 - Sister Anastasie (Jane Brown) helped lay out the "new" cemetery
at St. Mary-of-the-Woods [32].
23 Feb l864 - Aloysius Brown died in Austin, Mower co, Minn [11,19,21,31]. He
left his daughter Jane's (Sister Anastasie's) share of his estate to St.
Augustine's Church in Austin, to her disappointment [24].
1867 - Sister Anastasie (Jane Brown) wrote that attendance at the Academy at
St. Mary-of-the-Woods exceeded 140 [26].
1868 - Sister Anastasie (Jane Brown) became the Mother Superior (3rd Superior
General) of the Sisters of Providence, by election. Her tenure was a
difficult one in that her leadership was resisted by her popular predecessor,
and she made several unfortunate purchases of buildings and real estate in an
attempt to expand hospital and school facilities in Terre Haute, Madison,
Indianapolis, and other locations in Ind. She was not re-elected in 1874
following her second term, leaving a heavy debt of more than $175,000 to her
successor [26,32,33].
14 Jan 1874 - Mother Anastasie (Jane Brown) "attended the Bishop's Jubilee
Mass in Vincennes . . . [bringing] as gifts to the Bishop a purple cassock,
purple velvet cape, biretta, and other accessories." [32]
1874 - Mother Anastasie (Jane Brown) stepped down as Mother Superior:
"Upon retiring from office, Mother Anastasie spent part of the ensuing seven
years at Lafayette [Tippecanoe co, Ind] as Superior of the house and part at
Madison [Jefferson co, Ind]. In 1881 we find her again installed as
Directress at 'St. Mary's Academic Institute.' Once more she was in a
position to give full sway to her undoubted ability as an educator.
"Under her the Academy continued to enjoy its fame as a high class educational
institution and its student body was made up of young women from all parts of
the country. Aside from the solid and well-planned course of study, great
stress was laid upon religious instruction, the training of the will, and the
consequent character development; upon the acquirement of grace and of polite
decorum; upon skill in the exercise of the ornamental arts; upon the
attainment of domestic accomplishments." [26]
1883 - Mother Anastasie (Jane Brown) was a delegate to the General Chapter of
the Sisters of Providence [32].
1886 - Mother Anastasie (Jane Brown) was again a delegate to the General
Chapter of the Sisters of Providence [32].
5 Aug 1887 - Mother Anastasie (Jane Brown), then superior at St. Mary's
Academic institute, was again a delegate to the General Chapter of the Sisters
of Providence [32].
1889 - Mother Anastasie (Jane Brown) went to Lafayette, ind:
"Here in January, 1890, while calling on an old student who was ill, the aging
Religious fell as she was descending a flight of stairs. Both arms were
dislocated, the right wrist was fractured and the left badly sprained. Severe
cuts on the head and the resulting nervous shock, retarded her recovery.
However, her naturally resilient constitution enabled her to resume duty and
be ready for the burden that the coming summer held in waiting. At the
election, [16 July] 1890, she was named Second Assistant to the new Superior
General, Mother Mary Cleophas.
"After six years in this position, Mother Anastasie, then seventy-one years of
age, was retired from active duty, and henceforth we find her at the
Motherhouse." [26]
29 Aug 1889 - Mother Anastasie (Jane Brown) was present at the funeral of
Mother Euphrasie at St. Mary-of-the-Woods [32].
1896 - Mother Anastasie (Jane Brown) retired to private life in the
Motherhouse at St. Mary-of-the-Woods:
"Her time was spent mostly in painting in water colors, her skill in this
being unsurpassed. When failing eyesight caused her touch to be uncertain,
she devoted herself to mending for the busy Sisters. She was never found
unemployed; if not working or reading, she was in the chapel before the
Blessed Sacrament where she spent two hours each day in adoration. "Mother
Anastasie was a large woman, tall, well-proportioned, and robust in
constitution. She observed all the canonical fasts - that of Lent included -
until she was nearly eighty years old. She never had a spell of sickness
until she was seized with influenza in 1892. In the winter of 1889, -
however, she sustained severe injuries in a fall down stairs. . . . This
accident, though not affecting her health, left her with locomotor trouble,
which was especially painful in her advancing years, so that walking and
kneeling became difficult, yet she was never known to miss a Community
exercise. So remarkable was her regularity that one morning when she was not
in her place in the chapel for morning prayers investigation was immediately
made. She was found half across her bed in a dazed condition and unable to
stand. Though she was restored to comfortable health, she never walked
again. Henceforth she passed her days in her invalid chair, wheeling herself
to the chapel, until another stroke, in 1914, made her bedfast.
Confined for at least four years, and helpless as an infant, her disposition
suffered no change. Her genial smile, her gracious manner, her dignified and
affectionate tone of address remained to the end.
"During life she was always pleasant, always highly entertaining and
interested in everybody. She was guileless, loving and upright. Often
advantage was taken of her unsuspecting disposition by the more artful. Her
characteristic virtue was submission, and many a beautiful example did she
give in this, the virtue preeminent of a true religious." [26]
10 Aug 1918 - Mother Anastasie (Jane Brown) died at St. Mary-of-the-Woods
[11,26].
{Out of room due to 32Kb note size max, continued on wife's notes PRJB}
From the Lawse history letter of 1985: " To further ilustrate the hardships
endured by these early pioneers, the following is offered from the book
_History of Edgar County, Illinois_:
We give the following, related to us by a lady who was cognizant of the fact
at the time of it's occurrence. Mrs. Brown (Elizabeth Drury-Brown), wife of
the above gentleman (Aloysius Brown), had but one dress, and, one Saturday
evening, washed and hung it on a chair before the fire to dry, before
retiring, in order that it might by ready to wear on Sunday. By some means,
the chair fell over during the night, and the dress, next morning, was ashes.
This left her, like Flora McFlimsey, with "nothing to wear", except
underclothing, and but one change of that. So, as a substitute for a dress,
she had to wear her husband's overcoat, although it was the month of may and
the weather quite warm. In this attire she dressed until she could weave cloth
and make a dress; for, be it remembered, friendly reader, that there were no
stores to step out to and buy a few yards of calico, and ten chances to one,
if there had been a store at hand, there was no money to buy the dress. As it
happened, she had a piece of cloth in the loom, but she had no "filling", and,
robed in her quaint attire, she called on a neighbor to borrow some for this
case of extreme emergency."
{Contined from husbands notes due to 32Kb size limit PRJB}
Children:
1. George (Magnus?) Brown [II]
b. 1816? [10,11] in Nelson co, Ky [8]
d. bef 1835? [II] in Edgar co. III? [II]
2. JAMES HARRISON BROWN (1818-1902), see #54.
3. Ann (Nancy) Brown (aka Sister Mary Aurelia) [11,15,25]
b. 12 Aug 1821 [II] in North Arm, Edgar co. III [II]
d. 3 May 1857 [II] in Einmitsburg, Frederick co, Md [26]
4. Mary (Maria; "Polly") Louisa Brown [11,25,28]
b. 1823/4 [II] in Edgar co. III [II]
m. 16 May 1835 [II] in Edgar co. III [II] to James M. Bodine [4,11],
see #110.
d. 3 Apr 1872 [II] in Moscow, Minn [35]
bur. Newry, Minn [35]
5. Matilda A. Brown [11,22]
b. 1824/5 [11,22] in Edgar co. III [11,22]
m. 6 Jan 1845 [II] in Edgar co [8] to William Frazier (1822/3- ) [11,22]
d. p 1879 [II] in Republic co, Kansas? [II]
6. Jane Brown (aka Sister Anastasie) [11,16,25,26]
b. 13 Oct 1825 [11,26] in North Arm, Edgar co. III [11,26]
d. 10 Aug 1918 [11,26] in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Vigo co, Ind [11,26]
bur. St. Mary-of-the-Woods [26]
7. William Ignatius Brown [11,21,22]
b. 25 Sept 1827 [11,21,22] in North Arm, Edgar co. III [11,22]
m. 25 Sept 1860 [II] in Wextord, Allamakee co, Iowa [II] to Anna
Julia Dishart (1839-1931) [11,35]
d. 22 Aug 1912 [11,21] in St. Paul, Ramsey co, Minn [35]
bur. Calvary cem, Austin, Mower co [21]
8. Benedict Joseph Brown [11,22]
b. 27 Mar 1832 [11,22] in North Arm, Edgar co. Ill [11,22]
m. (1) 1849/50 [11,22] in Walworth co. Wise? to Elizabeth Cainey
(1832/3- ) [11,22]
(2) 29 May 1859 [35] in Austin, Mower co, Minn [11,35] to Margaret
Kenevan (1841-1906) [11,35]
d. 28 June 1897 [II] in Pawnee, Pawnee co, Okia [35]
Notes:
[l] According to the 1900 Census (Edgar co. III), the parents of James H.
Brown were both born in Md.
[2] International Genealogical Index, LDS Church.
[3] Information from Don Lawse (1990).
[4] Information from Pamela D. Estes (1986).
[5] Reburied there following an initial burial in the Catholic cem, Newry,
Minn (Lawse, 1985).
[6] Accelerated Indexing Systems.
[7] Near Emmitsburg, Frederick co, Md, according to Hist. of Mower Co, Minn
(1884). However, it seems more likely that she was born in St. Mary's co, and
moved to Frederick co some years later (see #218).
[8] Assumed.
[9] An Ignatius Drury was in Frederick co, Md, at the time of the 1800 Census
Accelerated Indexing Systems), and Elizabeth is stated to have been born in
Frederick co in 1788 (see note 7). That Ignatius is believed to have been her
brother (see #218).
[10] 1820 Census of dark co. III (Accelerated Indexing Systems).
[11] Lawse (1985).
[12] 18 Aug 1814 according to the international Genealogical index (LDS
Church).
[13] Record of the Services of III. Soldiers in the Black Hawk War . . .
(1882).
[14] Funk & Wagnalls New Encyclopedia (1986), v. 4, p. 114.
[15] Became a Sister of Charity in Emmitsburg, Md, in 1838 (Lawse, 1985).
[16] Became a Sister of Providence; was later "Mother Anastasie, third
Superior General of the Sisters of Providence" 1868-1874 (ibid).
[17] The History of Edgar Co, III (1879).
[18] Lawse (1985) states that he was in Capt. James M. Blackburn's Co., and
was furloughed on Aug. 3rd. The History of Edgar Co, III (1879) appears to
clarify the nature of the command: J.M. Blackburn was initially elected
Captain and Isaac Sanford First Lieutenant, but in a subsequent election of
field officers, Blackburn was elected Colonel of the regiment, and Sanford as
Captain of the Stratton and Elbridge Co. Aloysius Brown's rank as Second
Lieutenant was likewise by election.
[19] History of Mower Co, Minn (1884).
[20] Near Enmitsburg, Frederick co, MD, according to ibid. However,
Bladensburg is believed to be correct, because Monica Brown Reynolds later
recalled seeing George and Martha Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and others
making trips near Washington, DC (Brown, 1949).
[21] Tombstone Trails (1985), v. 5.
[22] 1850 Census of Walworth co, Wise.
[23] Ibid implies 1789/90.
[24] Brown (1949).
[25] Information compiled by Sister Mary Theodore.
[26] In God's Acre (1940).
[27] Ibid. Portions of the quote were reprinted in ibid from the Necrology,
apparently a compilation of biographies of deceased Sisters of Providence.
[28] Her name is given as ''Aloysia" by Brown (1949), citing a baptismal
record of her child.
[29] Brown (1949) corroborates the essentials of this account.
[30] Ibid says 1846.
[31] Ibid says 1866.
[32] Logan (1978).
[33] An interesting account of her election and its aftermath is given by
ibid.
[34] The Saint Mary-of-the-Woods Alumnae News, Winter 1954, p. 5-6.
[35] Information from Don Lawse (date unknown).
End of information from Barth-Hickey Ancestory
I notice on your website that you have Mary Louisa Brown, daughter of Aloysius
Lewis Brown being born in Ireland. None of my research shows that Aloysius
ever lived in or visited Ireland. I am most interested to see if I am missing
something. Please let me know more about your research.
With Best Regards,
Pat Brown
radio_ranch at yahoo.com home
pat_brown at agilent.com work