from The History of Hendricks County (Indianapolis: B.F. Bowen & Co., 1914)--pages 502-504
It is proper to judge of the success of a man's life by the estimation in which he is held by his fellow citizens. They see him at his work, in his family circle, in church, hear his views on public questions, observe the operation of his code of morals, witness how he conducts himself in all the relations of society and civilization, and are, therefore, competent to judge of his merits and demerits. After a long course of years of such daily observation, it would be out of the question for his neighbors not to know of his worth, for, as has been said: “Worth makes the man” and “Actions speak louder than words.” In this connection it is not too much to say that the subject of this sketch has passed a life of unusual honor, that he has been industrious and has the confidence of all who have the pleasure of his friendship.
John F. Brown, well known citizen of Brownsburg, Hendricks County, Indiana, was born in Brown Township, this county, in the part now known as Lincoln on November 4, 1854, being the son of Daniel and Polly N. (Ballard) Brown, both of whom were natives of the state of Kentucky and were brought to Indiana in their childhood by their respective parents. Daniel Brown was the son of Daniel Brown, Sr., whose wife, Elizabeth (Short) Brown, was a native of Delaware. The father of Polly Ballard, mother of the immediate subject of this sketch, was Beverly Ballard, originally from Kentucky, a man well known in his community. Upon coming to Indiana, Daniel Brown, Sr., settled in Hendricks County, where he acquired government land in Brown Township, about three miles east of Brownsburg, and there he passed the remainder of his life. He was one of two brothers who came at the same time to this locality and from them the settlement which became the town of Brownsburg got its name. Daniel Brown, Sr., was the father of a family of eleven children, among them being Daniel, Jr., father of the immediate subject of this sketch. Daniel Brown, Jr., remained under the parental roof, assisting his father in the work about the home place, until the time of his marriage. He then took up his abode on a farm near that of his father, and passed the remainder of his life there, his death occurring in February, 1862. The widow continued to live on the home place, surrounded and assisted by her children, and there her death occurred on March 23, 1883. She was the mother of eight children, four of whom died in infancy.
After his mother's death, John F. Brown continued to reside on the home place and in 1886 was united in marriage with Dora B. Gore, daughter of Silas and Sarah (Barnes) Gore, the former of whom was a native of Virginia and the latter a Hoosier by birth, having been born in Shelby County. In 1904 Mr. and Mrs. Brown arranged to rent out their farm and took up their residence in Brownsburg. At that time he also purchased a farm on the edge of the town, three acres of which were within the corporation, and there they lived for nine years, building their present home on Main Street in 1913. Mr. and Mrs. Brown were the parents of two children, one of whom died in infancy, the other being Grace, wife of Byron Ayres, son of John L. and Ella (Gorham) Ayres. Byron Ayres was born in Brownsburg and has lived in or near there all his life, at present residing on the Gorham farm one mile east of Brownsburg. He and his wife have one child, Agatha Leona.
Politically, Mr. Brown gives his support to the Democratic Party and takes a deep and commendable interest in public affairs. He served as a member of the advisory board for a number of years, discharging the duties of that position in a way satisfactory to all. Mrs. Brown is a member of the Presbyterian Church, in the affairs of which Mr. Brown also takes an interest, although not being a member himself. All throughout his life, Mr. Brown has given evidence of unflagging energy and ambition and has won for himself a competency, being possessed of his excellent home in Brownsburg and one hundred and thirty acres of the old homestead. He is a man of many praiseworthy traits of character, being scrupulously honest in all his dealings with the world, generous and pleasant, possessing rare fortitude and good judgment, advocating clean policies, wholesome living and honesty in business. Needless to add that such a man has a host of friends and stands high in the estimation of all who know him.