We recently donated photographs and other historical information regarding the Brown Family to the Knox County Genealogical Society in Galesburg, Illinois. This information was then forwarded to the Galesburg Public Library where it is stored in their archives. Galesburg was the hometown of Samuel Brown. Below are two thank you cards each organization sent us. Click to read.

This morning in Vancouver at the Charles Brown House we were thrilled to have a few of Charles Brown’s descendants visit us and share old stories and photographs.

Charles Wilson (94) who lives in Corvallis is Charles Brown’s last surviving grandchild and grew up right here in the house from ages 8-21. His mother was Charles’ daughter, Frances. He hadn’t been back to the house since 1935! The highlight was Charles “Chuck” seeing his old bedroom again for the first time in 72 years.

Chuck was joined by his cousin Anne and her son Rick, who are Brown descendants as well. It was a great time.

Yesterday a tree trimming company came to the office and cut back our enormous laurel hedge that was growing out of control. Approximately three feet was trimmed off the sides and four feet off the top. They shaped it very nicely. The whole back parking lot looks so much better and the work opened up more room for the driveway. Pictures coming soon.

The Charles Brown House was mentioned in an article that appeared in last weeks Columbian. The article talks about the history of Vancouver and different architectural styles throughout the city. The unique architectural style of the Brown House is what got us noticed. We are mentioned on the second page in the left hand column.

[click on the thumbnail images to read the article]

Our beautiful rose bushes have begun to bloom outside the office here in Vancouver. This is always a great time of year for us–Leah loves cutting flowers from our gardens and arranging them in vases around the office.

Here is another picture of Harriet taken when she was a young woman and donated to us by relatives of the Brown Family. Harriet May Brown was born May 22, 1875 in Vancouver, Washington to Charles and Rebecca Slocum Brown. She married Edward Laramie Carpenter and together they had two children, Edward Laramie Jr. born in 1900 and Elizabeth Frances born in 1905. Another daughter, Rebecca, was born in 1901 and died shortly after birth. Harriet passed away on January 25, 1964 in Seattle, Washington. According to her granddaughters Nancy Brunquist and Deborah Reis, Harriet loved to wear elaborate clothing and hats up until her death. Harriet also belonged to the DAR or Daughters of the American Revolution and the Women’s Century Club of Seattle, the latter organized for the intellectual and cultural development of its members and for social service. Harriet lived in an amazing era- from horse and buggies traveling to Fort Walla Walla to traveling with her sister Floy by jet to Hawaii and Palm Springs.

After the suicide of her husband, Rebecca Brown put forward a homestead claim on the house at 400 W. 11th Street in May of 1901, almost 106 years ago to date. What is interesting about this is that Alice Hubbard, who would later own the house, was one of the witnesses to the homestead claim. In May of 1901 Miss Hubbard had only been living in Vancouver for three months. Click to enlarge.

Jessica Spring, great-great granddaughter of Charles Brown, donated a scrapbook to us on April 20th, once belonging to her forefather. She, her husband and son briefly stopped by the house while passing through town. The scrapbook mostly consists of poetry Charles clipped from newspapers and other publications, poetry written by people he most likely admired. There are, however, a few random articles on various topics scattered throughout, one describing how President Abraham Lincoln looked while in his coffin before burial.

A party to celebrate Teresa Foster becoming a shareholder in the firm was held on Friday April 20th in Vancouver. In attendance were the employees of both our Vancouver and Portland offices. We enjoyed food, drinks and a piñata. One-dollar gifts were purchased by each of the guests for Teresa, something that will help her become a better shareholder. A road map, bunny ears and bubbles were some of the gifts. The party was a success and all enjoyed the time spent with Teresa on her special day. Click to enlarge photo

This blurb appears in the current April 2007 edition of the Oregon State Bar Bulletin. It announces the Heritage Award we won for genealogical excellence for our Vancouver office’s website.