Obituary of Nathan Brown

Three Rivers
Hudson~Mohawk~Schoharie
History From America's Most Famous Valleys

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DIED IN OPPENHEIM, FULTON COUNTY, AFTER A LONG AND PAINFUL ILLNESS, THE HONORABLE NATHAN BROWN, IN HIS 70TH YEAR.

The deceased was a man who was extensively known throughout the state among businessmen, as an active, thorough, honorable, high-minded business man. He made himself, as early as 1812, conspicuous as a forwarding merchant by the use of land carriages, (the only means by which the commerce of the State was carried on between the tidewaters and the great western lakes)--and during the War of 1812 and 13, he rendered service to his country by carrying merchandise and munitions of war on to our northern frontiers. After the close of the war, he still continued in the forwarding business from Albany to Buffalo until the opening of the Erie Canal, at which time he had the most extensive, thorough, and well organized forwarding establishment in the State. After the opening of the Erie Canal he became one of the proprietors of the Pilot Line company. It was in his Boat, and under his direction that the Chief Executive of the State, DeWitt Clinton, was conveyed from Buffalo to Albany, at the great grand celebration of the completion of the noble enterprise, the opening of the Erie Canal, by which the waters of the great western lakes were mingled with those of the Hudson.

He continued the active business agent of the company until about 1830. He then retired upon his farm in Oppenheim, Fulton County where he engaged extensively in agriculture,and continued in it until the time of his death. He filled several important offices of trust and responsibility which credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He was one of the pioneers of the temperance enterprise, and his name stands associated with those who have rendered themselves conspicious in the support and advocacy of that noble cause and so deeply did the feel for the cause that while the question of prohibition was pending before the court of appeals, he would often, amid his bodily sufferings express deep solicitude for the fate of that measure which he had spent so much time and money to obtain; believing, that if its provisions could be carried out and enforced that crime and dissipation and all the dark catalogues of sequences would be forever blotted out.

He had a kind and generous heart easily moved to acts of kindness and benevolence at the sight of human suffering and human woe. Hence he was always generous and liberal, and gave bountifully to promote every good and noble enterprise. No one would ask in vain; for he always gave freely, not grudgingly. His loss to the community in which he lived can only be realized and appreciated by the withdrawal of all those numerous acts of kindness and benevolence which he was constantly and forever bestowing on those around him. He was a kind husband; an indulgent parent. His loss is imparable (?)-- and while they mourn the absence of their kind and indulgent protector and friend; being often reminded of him by the many sad mementos which cluster around the family circle; reminding them of his incomings and outgoings--yet they have the consoling reflection that he has passed the Jordan of death,and has commenced a spiritual existence which is not subject to the changes and vicissitudes of this mortal life, but is freed from pain, from suffering disease and death. Therefore, it is their duty to be resigned to this sad affliction and prepare to follow him.

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