The sudden death of Dr. Brown at Macomb, Ill., announced last week, removes from the ranks of the Cumberland Presbyterian ministry one of its best known and noblest and purest men. Concerning his last illness we learn from Mr. Brown that he had, on account of a slight cold and neuralgia, staid indoors for several days, but was not thought to be seriously ill until Friday noon, November 24, the day before he died. Saturday afternoon his symptoms became very alarming, and about 4 o'clock he passed away. His death was attributed to neuralgia of the heart. The funeral services were held at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Macomb, and were conducted by Rev. J. E. Roach, of Table Grove, Ill., and Rev. R. H. McHenry, of Biggsville, Ill. The body was taken to Burlington, Iowa, for interment.

John Reece Brown was born at Waynesburg, Pa., July, 1828. he graduated from Waynesburg College in 1856. For nearly fifteen years he devoted himself to successful pastoral work. He labored for six months in the city of Philadelphia as missionary pastor. From there he went to Washington, Pa. During his pastorate at Washington he was married to Miss Virginia Morgan, of Waynesburg, daughter of Rev. John Morgan, one of the revered fathers and founders of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Pennsylvania. Among the churches he served afterward were Lexington, Mo., Waukon, Iowa, and Cherry Grove (Abingdon), Ill.

Thirty years ago Cherry Grove Seminary was one of the important educational institutions of our church in the Northwest. In connection with the pastorate Dr. Brown was elected president of this school, and proved a wise and prudent counselor in the administration of its affairs. It was at Cherry Grove Seminary that the writer, then a student and assistant teacher, first met Dr. Brown, and for several months had the privilege of sitting under his ministry and of intimate personal acquaintance with him. His sermons were always full of stimulating and suggestive gospel truth, chaste, well arranged, and delivered in a graceful and attractive style. He was always a modest, unassuming gentleman of winning manners and deportment, an earnest believer and devout Christian, a model for the young men under his charge in church and school. He grew into immediate popularity and influence, and the congregation at Cherry Grove prospered greatly under his ministry.

It was, if we mistake not, in 1869 or 1870 that Dr. Brown became editor of the CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN, which was about that time removed from Waynesburg, Pa., to Alton, Ill., and united with the Western Cumberland Presbyterian. In 1874 the Board of Publication bought the CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN and united it with the Banner of Peace at Nashville, Tenn. Dr. Brown became sole editor, which position he held until 1883, when D. M. Harris, D.D., was associated with him in the work. In 1885 Dr. Brown became one of the editors of the St. Louis Observer. Later he became sole editor of that paper, and continued in this position until about a year ago. Perhaps no other man in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church ever had so long a continuous career in editorial work. His influence as a writer and leader of thought has been marked, and it was always on the side of purity and righteousness. He was faithful, accurate, diligent, sparing himself no labor in the discharge of his duties. He was a man of decided convictions, of unwavering firmness in his adherence to the right as he saw it--the uncompromising advocate of temperance and purity of sound doctrine and strict discipline in the church.

He had just entered upon what promised to be a new career of usefulness in pastoral work. In a letter written but three days before his death he spoke most hopefully of the prospects of the work in Macomb. His death is a heavy blow to this church and a sad loss to our denomination. As showing the high esteem in which he was held at his home the following resolutions, unanimously adopted by the Macomb Pastors' Association at its meeting Monday morning, November 27, are appended:

Whereas, in the providence of God, the Rev. J. R. Brown, D.D., was suddenly and unexpectedly called from his earthly labors to his heavenly reward, on November 25, 1893, only ten days after his installation as pastor of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of this city.

Resolved, That we express our high appreciation of Dr. Brown's Christian character, as impressed upon us during his brief service among us, and that we feel that our Pastors' Association has lost a valuable member, whose wise counsels and sweet spirit we sadly miss.

Resolved, That we tender the bereaved widow our deepest sympathy and commend her to the special care of our divine Shepherd, whose comfort alone is sufficient for a time of such sorrow.

Resolved, That in the decease of Dr. Brown the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of this city has lost a very efficient pastor, our city a noble minister, and the denomination to which he belonged a faithful leader whose record is an inspiration.

Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be presented to Mrs. Brown, our city papers, and the CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN, which Dr. Brown so ably edited.
[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, December 7, 1893, page 8]

1856
Not in directory.

1857
Not listed as a minister in Pennsylvania Presbytery.

1858
No Directory

1859
No Directory
Minister - Pennsylvania Presbytery - Synod of Pennsylvania
J. R. Brown - Commissioner to General Assembly in Evansville, Indiana, May 19-2, 1859.
Served on the Committee on Sabbath Schools.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1859, page 6 & 8]

1860
J. R. Brown
Minister - Pennsylvania Presbytery - Synod of Pennsylvania
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1860, page 100]

1861-1864
No Directory

1865
J. R. Brown, Abingdon, Ill.
Minister - Rushville Presbytery - Synod of Sangamon
Commissioner to General Assembly in Evansville, Indiana, May 18-24, 1865.
Served on the Committee on Education.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1865, pages 165. 208]

1866
No Directory.

1867
No Directory.

1868
J. R. Brown, Abingdon, Ill
Minister - Rushville Presbytery - Synod of Sangamon
Commissioner to General Assembly in Lincoln, Illinois, May 21-29, 1868
Served on the Committee on Sunday Schools.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1868, pages 9, 11 & 107]

1869
J. R. Brown, Alton, Ill.
Minister - Rushville Presbytery - Synod of Sangamon
Commissioner to General Assembly in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, May 20-27, 1869.
Served on the Committee on Publication.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1869, pages 6, 7 & 87]

1870
J. R. Brown, Alton, Ill.
Minister - Vandalia Presbytery - Synod of Central Illinois
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1870, page 85]

1871
J. R. Brown, DD, Alton, Illinois
Minister - Vandalia Presbytery - Synod of Central Illinois
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1871, page 85]

1872
Brown, J. R., D.D., Alton, Ill.
Minister - Vandalia Presbytery - Synod of Central Illinois
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1872, page 120]

1873
Brown, J. R., D.D., Alton, Ill.
Minister - Vandalia Presbytery - Synod of Central Illinois
Commissioner to General Assembly in Huntsville, Alabama, May 15-23, 1873]
Served on the Committee on Sabbath-Schools.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1873, pages 4, 8 & 97]

1874
Brown, J. R., D.D., Alton, Ill.
Minister - Vandalia Presbytery - Synod of Central Illinois
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1874, page 96]

1875
Brown, J. R., D.D., Nashville, Tenn.
Minister - Vandalia Presbytery - Synod of Central Illinois
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1875, page 87]

1876
Brown, J. R., D.D., Nashville, Tenn.
Minister - Vandalia Presbytery - Synod of Central Illinois
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1876 page 97]

1877
Brown, J. R., D.D., Nashville, Tenn.
Minister - Vandalia Presbytery - Synod of Central Illinois
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1877, page 92]

1878
Brown, J. R., D.D., Nashville, Tenn.
Minister - Nashville Presbytery - Synod of Middle Tennessee
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1878, page 95]

1879
Used 1878 listing for directory.
Minister - Nashville Presbytery - Synod of Middle Tennessee
Commissioner to General Assembly in Memphis, Tennessee, May 15-22, 1879.
Served on the Committee on Judiciary.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1879, pages 5 & 8]

1880
Brown, J. R., D.D., Nashville, Tenn.
Minister - Nashville Presbytery - Synod of Middle Tennessee
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1880, page 118]

1881
Brown, J. R., Nashville, Tenn.
Minister - Nashville Presbytery - Synod of Middle Tennessee
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1881, page 90]

1882
Brown, J. R., D.D., Nashville, Tenn.
Minister - Nashville Presbytery - Synod of Middle Tennessee
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1882, page 120]

1883
Brown, J. R., D.D., Nashville, Tenn.
Minister - Nashville Presbytery - Synod of Middle Tennessee
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1883, page 128]

1884
Brown, J. R., D.D., Nashville, Tenn.
Minister - Lebanon Presbytery - Synod of Middle Tennessee
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1884, page 115]

1885
Brown, J. R., D.D., Alton, Ill.
Minister - Lebanon Presbytery - Synod of Middle Tennessee
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1885, paged 130]

1886
Brown, J. R., D.D., Alton, Ill.
Minister - Vandalia Presbytery - Synod of Central Illinois
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1886, page 167]

1887
Brown, J. R., D.D., Lincoln, Ill.
Minister - Vandalia Presbytery - Synod of Illinois
Commissioner to General Assembly in Covington, Ohio, May 19-25, 1887.
Served on the Committee on Ministerial Relief.
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1887, pages 5, 8 & 164]

1888
Brown, J. R., D.D., St. Louis, Mo.
Minister - St. Louis Presbytery - Synod of Missouri
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1888, page 175]

1889
Used listing from 1888.

1890
Brown, J. R., D.D., Stated Clerk, St. Louis, Mo.
Minister - St. Louis Presbytery - Synod of Missouri
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1890, page 131]

1891
Brown, J. R., D.D., Stated Cl'k, St. Louis, Mo.
Minister - St. Louis Presbytery - Synod of Missouri
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1891, page 145]

1892
Brown, J. R., D.D., Stat. Cl'k, St. Louis, Mo.
Minister - St. Louis Presbytery - Synod of Missouri
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1892, page 153]

1893
Not in list

1894
Mortuary List 1894
Name: J. R. Brown, D.D.
Presbytery: Rushville
Date: November, 1893
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1894, page 46]

Brown, J. R. Lights On the Way; or Helps for Young Christians. Nashville, Tenn.: Cumberland Presbyterian Publishing House, 1879. [2 copies in archives]