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.

Stahancyk, Kent, Johnson & Hook is pleased to announce that Teresa L. Foster, managing attorney of our Vancouver office, has been elected as a shareholder of the firm. Everyday we see the hard work and dedication Teresa puts into her work. Congratulations, Teresa!

Charles S. Wilson was born January 7, 1913 in Raymond, Washington to Charles E. and Frances Brown Wilson. His father died when he was three years old, leaving his mother to raise young Charles alone. Unfortunately, this did not last long. Tragedy struck again when his mother died under mysterious circumstances while the two were living in Laguna Beach, California. Orphaned by the age of seven, Charles’ aunt Floy DuBois drove to California from Vancouver to pick him up and bring him back with her. Charles lived with his aunt, uncle and two cousins for about a year until family friend Alice Hubbard offered to take him in. Coincidentally, Alice rented part of the house Charles’ mother Frances grew up in, now the Charles Brown House, named for his grandfather. Ed Brown, brother of Charles Brown, owned and lived in the house as well with his wife Ada. Shortly thereafter Alice purchased the house and Ed and Ada Brown moved to Pasadena, California. Charles graduated from Vancouver High School in 1930 and went on to attend the University of Washington and Harvard Business School. As a teenager in Vancouver he met Marjorie Warren. The two were married in 1937.
The couple moved to Corvallis, Oregon in 1940 and acquired the Ford dealership, Wilson Motors, where Charles continues to work today. Charles was very active socially in Corvallis as a member of the Corvallis Country Club and also the Badminton Club.
Sadly, Charles’ wife Marjorie passed away in February 2007. The couple has three children, Richard, Kathryn, and Carol, and four grandchildren.