Michael Aloysis Brown (1867 - 1949)

Born 23 Aug 1867 in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, USA

Ancestors

Died 25 Mar 1949 at age 81 in Ardmore Park, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, USA

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Biography

Michael was born in 1867. He was the son of Patrick Brown and Mary Ann Stone. He passed away in 1949.

Sources

• https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LZK8-27B

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/107197666/michael_aloysis_brown

Michael Brown, born at 340 Stanton Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA., on August 11, 1867, and baptized at St. Mary's Immaculate Conception Church, Washington St., Wilkes-Barre, PA. died at the age 82. Michael was the son of Patrick A. Brown and Mary Ann Stone Brown of Wilkes-Barre. He was the former Wilkes-Barre police chief who had served 33 years in the department when he resigned on 8-21-1928, died yesterday morning at the home of his son, Francis Brown, Ardmore, Pa., where he resided 14 months.

Mr. Brown lived at 344 Hazle Street until two years ago, when he went to live with his son Edmund on Carlisle street, following the death of his son (Edmund Michael died in 1948), Mr. Brown moved to Ardmore, PA.

As chief of police and captain of detectives Mr. Brown had an enviable reputation that was recognized throughout the county. He had a rare faculty of memorizing faces and records of criminals and because of this he advanced to the front ranks among those engaged in the suppression of crime. He especially frowned on pickpocketors and professional gamblers and it is said they generally steered clear of this city while Mr. Brown was head of the detectives.

He had a habit of posting himself at East Market and North State Streets while arrangements were being made for large civic or fraternal affairs in this city and on more than one occasion, it was reported, shady characters coming into the city for a "kill" usually turned around and returned to railroad stations when they spotted Mr. Brown on the lookout.

Mr. Brown filled every job in the Wilkes-Barre Police Department. Starting as a patrolman in 1895, he was made a detective five years later and then was advanced to position of captain of detectives where he did his most effective work. In 1922, when the late chief of Police Leon S. Pitcher resigned, Mr. Brown was made chief of police by the late Mayor Daniel L. Hart and remained in that position until he resigned on August 21, 1928, effective September 1 of that year. He went on pension when he resigned. J. Russell Taylor, who had been inspector of police became chief when Mr. Brown quit.

Following his retirement from Wilkes-Barre Police Department, Mr. Brown ran the Brown Detective Agency for a number of years.

Mr. Brown is survived by a son Leo of Wilkes-Barre; one grand daughter, Frances Brown, Wilkes-Barre, and a brother Martin "William" Brown, Wilkes-Barre. His wife, the former Bridget Garvin died 29 years ago.

Funeral will be held from the M.J. McLaughlin residence, 170 South River Street.

Resource - The Wilkes-Barre Record, and published Page 9 on 3-26-1949 a Saturday, the photo on this page is from this obituary.

Published Funeral in The Sunday Independent on 3-27-1949 on page A16., Roll #80 at the Osterhout Library.

FORMER POLICE CHIEF TO BE BURIED MONDAY

The funeral of Michael Brown, 82, former city police chief, will be held tomorrow morning at 9 from the M.J. McLaughlin residence, 170 S. River street.

A mass of requiem will be celebrated at 9:30 in St. Patrick's Church, Parrish street, with interment in st. Mary's Cemetery, Hanover.

The deceased served Wilkes-Barre as police officer for 33 years, retiring in August. 1928, with the rank of chief.

He was patrolman, detective, captain and in 1922 was appointed chief by the late Mayor Daniel L. Hart.

Published 9-24, 1918 page 18, in Wilkes-Barre Record.

Brown to Succeed Hergert;

It is said that Mayor Kosek at to-day's meeting of council will recommend the appointment of Michael Brown as Captain of detectives, the position formerly held by Adam Herbert.

It is also reported that John Boyle, a Plain clothes man, will be named to succeed Brown as a detective.

There are three names mentioned for captain of the traffic squad, being Charles Bart, Stephen Podgorski and William Sweeney.

FAMILY BURIAL PLOT:

Family Plot - Purchase by Michael A. Brown on 1902

Includes the following burials:

Grave #1 - Paul Brown - Son - b.-1900 & d.- 1902

Grave #1A -Ethel Betterly Brown-daughter in law-b.-1903&d.-2-3-1971 - she is buried in the path way.

Grave #2 - M. Edmund Brown -Son- b. 5-11-1898 & d.- 1-5-1948 Grave #3 - Bridget Garvin Brown- b.-1868 & d.-10-23-1920 Grave #4 - Michael A. Brown - b.-1867 & d.-3-26-1949 Grave #2(top)-Mary C.Brown(Infant/granddaughter)-d-2-15-1954 Grave #5 - Leo Brown - Son - d.-6-19-1957 Grave #6 - Charles Betterly - Brother-in-law - d.-7-16-1984

Grave #7 - Frances (Brown) Gabriele - grand daughter - b.- 12-25-1923 & d. - 12-29-2003

RESEARCHER: - Mary Emmett Langdon

Top Photograph: Added By Contributor #47592488 JanFamily - Was from a local Historical Book 1929 - Oscar Harvey, also includes his bio on Michael Brown.