BY: BG EDITOR
Sep 02, 2017 — GREENWOOD, BC (BG)
Today we present another profile of a Greenwood 'person of note': John Robert Brown. J. R. Brown was known in Greenwood and the Boundary not only as an attorney, but as a successful political leader of the Liberal party. His biography was included in the 1906 book, A History of British Columbia[1] by R. Edward Gosnell:
JOHN ROBERT BROWN
"John Robert Brown, lawyer and member of parliament from the Greenwood riding, was born in Sarnia township, Lambton county, Ontario, on the 19th of February, 1862, his parents being Thomas W. and Mary (McGregor) Brown. The father was born in Ireland in the state of Lord Dufferin, and now resides in Sarnia township, Lambton county, Ontario, but the mother has departed this life.
Mr. Brown, whose name introduces this record, attended the public schools and afterward the high school of his native township and entered upon the study of law, becoming a student in the office of Judge Lister of the town of Sarnia, and remained his preceptor for four years. Later he spent two years as a student in Osgood Hall of Toronto and in 1896 he was admitted to the bar and entered upon practice in Sarnia. There he remained until 1898, when he came to British Columbia, settling first in Rossland, where he practiced for six months with the firm of McNeill & Deacon.
He was admitted to the bar of British Columbia in April, 1899, and has since lived at Greenwood. While he was well grounded in the principles of common law when admitted to the bar he has continued throughout the whole of his professional career a diligent student. He always prepares his cases with great care. If there is a close logical point involved in the issue it is his habit to thoroughly examine every authority within his reach bearing upon the question before the court and this makes him a most dangerous adversary.
Mr. Brown was married November 18, 1903, to Miss Florence M. Whitmarsh, a daughter of James Whitmarsh, of Sarnia. He and his wife hold membership in the Methodist church and he belongs to the Independent Order of Foresters and the Knights of the Maccabees. He is also a member of the British Columbia Law Society. Influential in political affairs he was elected a member of parliament for the Greenwood riding in 1903 and is now acting in that capacity."
"John Robert Brown, lawyer and member of parliament from the Greenwood riding, was born in Sarnia township, Lambton county, Ontario, on the 19th of February, 1862, his parents being Thomas W. and Mary (McGregor) Brown. The father was born in Ireland in the state of Lord Dufferin, and now resides in Sarnia township, Lambton county, Ontario, but the mother has departed this life.
Mr. Brown, whose name introduces this record, attended the public schools and afterward the high school of his native township and entered upon the study of law, becoming a student in the office of Judge Lister of the town of Sarnia, and remained his preceptor for four years. Later he spent two years as a student in Osgood Hall of Toronto and in 1896 he was admitted to the bar and entered upon practice in Sarnia. There he remained until 1898, when he came to British Columbia, settling first in Rossland, where he practiced for six months with the firm of McNeill & Deacon.
He was admitted to the bar of British Columbia in April, 1899, and has since lived at Greenwood. While he was well grounded in the principles of common law when admitted to the bar he has continued throughout the whole of his professional career a diligent student. He always prepares his cases with great care. If there is a close logical point involved in the issue it is his habit to thoroughly examine every authority within his reach bearing upon the question before the court and this makes him a most dangerous adversary.
Mr. Brown was married November 18, 1903, to Miss Florence M. Whitmarsh, a daughter of James Whitmarsh, of Sarnia. He and his wife hold membership in the Methodist church and he belongs to the Independent Order of Foresters and the Knights of the Maccabees. He is also a member of the British Columbia Law Society. Influential in political affairs he was elected a member of parliament for the Greenwood riding in 1903 and is now acting in that capacity."
A few more details on J. R. Brown are found in a Boundary Creek Times article from July 1903[2], which reports that he arrived in Greenwood in the Spring of 1899. Having just passed the bar, he opened a law office and practiced alone until February 1901, when he entered a partnership with J. P. McLeod, also a barrister. "Since then the firm have been doing one of the best law businesses in the district."
McLeod & Brown, Barristers and Solicitors, Notaries Public, etc. had their offices in the Wallace-Miller block of Copper Street. The partnership advertised its services regularly in local papers. By July of 1906, however, J. R. Brown was again hanging a shingle as a single practitioner, from the same office address.[3]
Along with other social activities, J. R. Brown was an active member of the Board of Trade. We find few mentions of his social activities, although a report in the June 5th, 1903 Times[4] describes how he helped a neighbour in a time of need:
J. B. Derosier's Home Destroyed by Fire Wednesday Evening
"The two story residence of J. B. Derosier situated near the brow of the hill almost opposite the C. P. R. railway station was completely destroyed by fire on Wednesday evening. The cause was a defective flue. The fire broke out through the roof about ten o'clock at night. When Mr. Derosier noticed the blaze the roof was a mass of flames. There were no facilities for extinguishing the blaze and Mr. Derosier turned his attention to saving the furniture. But few people in the city noticed the fire. J. R. Brown and one or two others went up and helped to remove the furniture to a place of safety."
"The two story residence of J. B. Derosier situated near the brow of the hill almost opposite the C. P. R. railway station was completely destroyed by fire on Wednesday evening. The cause was a defective flue. The fire broke out through the roof about ten o'clock at night. When Mr. Derosier noticed the blaze the roof was a mass of flames. There were no facilities for extinguishing the blaze and Mr. Derosier turned his attention to saving the furniture. But few people in the city noticed the fire. J. R. Brown and one or two others went up and helped to remove the furniture to a place of safety."
An earlier news report marks the widespread recognition of John R. Brown as an up and coming political figure in the Liberal party, although the editorialist is not so favourable about the party itself. From the Greenwood Weekly Times, September 1901:[5]
JOHN BROWN
"One John Brown of song and story sacrificed his life for principle. A more modern John Brown — our own John Brown — who a few years ago was ready to shoulder a Winchester in order to secure justice for the people, now accepts office with the descendant of the government against whom he raised his rather strident voice and almost raised his Winchester. What will be the result? Is John Brown stronger than his present associates and associations?
John Brown of years ago was sound in his political views. He demanded just representation and economical and efficient administration, and a complete remodelling of the methods in vogue in this province. Will the leaven of John Brown succeed in leavening the whole or will John Brown become a mere figurehead? John Brown is in dangerous company. If he wants to stand by the people and for the people, he should keep his Winchester loaded. We dislike to acknowledge it, but it looks as if we are all being made the playthings of one Joseph Martin.
Those who worked for his defeat can see that he controls the present government and those who looked for his success find that he has sold them to Dunsmuir. Joseph may be a political pariah in some respects, but he is the managing director of all political parties in British Columbia at the present time. He loads John Brown's Winchester and he is going to turn Billy Mclnnes loose. God help the province and God help John Brown."
"One John Brown of song and story sacrificed his life for principle. A more modern John Brown — our own John Brown — who a few years ago was ready to shoulder a Winchester in order to secure justice for the people, now accepts office with the descendant of the government against whom he raised his rather strident voice and almost raised his Winchester. What will be the result? Is John Brown stronger than his present associates and associations?
John Brown of years ago was sound in his political views. He demanded just representation and economical and efficient administration, and a complete remodelling of the methods in vogue in this province. Will the leaven of John Brown succeed in leavening the whole or will John Brown become a mere figurehead? John Brown is in dangerous company. If he wants to stand by the people and for the people, he should keep his Winchester loaded. We dislike to acknowledge it, but it looks as if we are all being made the playthings of one Joseph Martin.
Those who worked for his defeat can see that he controls the present government and those who looked for his success find that he has sold them to Dunsmuir. Joseph may be a political pariah in some respects, but he is the managing director of all political parties in British Columbia at the present time. He loads John Brown's Winchester and he is going to turn Billy Mclnnes loose. God help the province and God help John Brown."
This John Brown of Liberal fame is not to be confused with another local politician of that surname: Edward Brown, an accountant working in the Greenwood mining industry, who was also active in politics, for the Socialists.
By 1903, J. R. Brown's political destiny was fully set in motion. In that year he received the nomination as candidate for the Liberal party, Greenwood riding. The Times reported[5] on his nomination:
The Men Behind the Party Nominees of Greenwood Riding
"J. R. Brown Liberal candidate was proposed by K. I. McKenzie Greenwood, seconded by James McNicol Midway, Robert D. Kerr, D. O'Connor, Robert Wood, Angus Nicholson, Geo. Reid and fifty others."
"J. R. Brown Liberal candidate was proposed by K. I. McKenzie Greenwood, seconded by James McNicol Midway, Robert D. Kerr, D. O'Connor, Robert Wood, Angus Nicholson, Geo. Reid and fifty others."
This detailed report followed his nomination:[6]
J. R. BROWN IS THE MAN
Unanimous Choice of the Liberal Convention
VERY SUCCESSFUL MEETING
Brief Sketch of the Liberal Standard Bearer
"J. R. Brown was the unanimous choice of the liberal convention held in the city hall last Friday evening. Over 100 delegates were present from the various liberal associations in the district and sufficient represented by proxy to make a total vote of 155 in the convention. C. Scott Galloway of Greenwood made an excellent chairman.
The committee who had charge of the details of the convention did their work well and everything ran as smoothly as clock work. No nominating speeches were made and the delegates proceeded to ballot. The first vote showed 96 ballots for J. R. Brown 56 for Thos. J. Hardy and three complimentry votes. As Mr. Brown had a clear majority he was on motion declared the unanimous choice of the convention amid loud applause.
Mr. Brown then addressed the convention thanking them for the splendid vote and for the unanimous nomination. He briefly dealt with political issues and declared himself in favor of government ownership of public utilities, of legislation to prevent strikes and lockouts, and of compulsory arbitration. He spoke briefly on the necessity that exists for a better administration of public lands; contended that the liberal party is not a capitalistic party as declared by the socialists, instancing in support of his contention the dominion legislation in favor of labor passed by the federal government since they came in power in 1896; and concluded by expressing his intention to use all legitimate efforts to carry the Greenwood district in the liberal interest at the forthcoming provincial election."
Unanimous Choice of the Liberal Convention
VERY SUCCESSFUL MEETING
Brief Sketch of the Liberal Standard Bearer
"J. R. Brown was the unanimous choice of the liberal convention held in the city hall last Friday evening. Over 100 delegates were present from the various liberal associations in the district and sufficient represented by proxy to make a total vote of 155 in the convention. C. Scott Galloway of Greenwood made an excellent chairman.
The committee who had charge of the details of the convention did their work well and everything ran as smoothly as clock work. No nominating speeches were made and the delegates proceeded to ballot. The first vote showed 96 ballots for J. R. Brown 56 for Thos. J. Hardy and three complimentry votes. As Mr. Brown had a clear majority he was on motion declared the unanimous choice of the convention amid loud applause.
Mr. Brown then addressed the convention thanking them for the splendid vote and for the unanimous nomination. He briefly dealt with political issues and declared himself in favor of government ownership of public utilities, of legislation to prevent strikes and lockouts, and of compulsory arbitration. He spoke briefly on the necessity that exists for a better administration of public lands; contended that the liberal party is not a capitalistic party as declared by the socialists, instancing in support of his contention the dominion legislation in favor of labor passed by the federal government since they came in power in 1896; and concluded by expressing his intention to use all legitimate efforts to carry the Greenwood district in the liberal interest at the forthcoming provincial election."
The Liberals' nomination of J. R. Brown received a tremendous amount of public support, and countless small notices were published in local papers by individuals, praising his nomination and urging Boundary residents to elect him to office.
John Brown's nomination and eventual election was part of a strong routing of local Conservatives. Greenwood put up another well known person as the Conservative nominee that year — Dr. James Spankie. A report on the Doctor's nomination was published by the Rossland Miner and reprinted by the Boundary Creek Times:[7]
"In Greenwood, the Conservative nominee, Dr. Spankie, labours under the same disadvantages as does Mr. Ladner in Delta. There can be no doubt about the personal popularity of Dr. Spankie, neither is there any question as to his patriotism and abilities, but because of the inconsequentiality of the Conservative platform, the Liberal candidate, J. R. Brown, will roll up a majority that will elect him beyond any question. -- Rossland Miner"
Shortly before Rossland's denouncement of the Conservatives, the Times made their own statement[8] on Dr. Spankie's prospects as nominee for that party:
Good Lord Good Devil
"Dr. Spankie the conservative candidate cannot trust his leader. In an address printed at Timothy Eatons's or somewhere else outside the district, he states that he "shall insist in every instance in holding the party true to its professions; and he will "condemn any legislation even if brought forward by my own party, which I believe wrong in principle arid injurious in effects." It is well that Dr. Spankie should take this wise precaution when the men behind McBride are considered, but it is this ''good lord, good devil policy" which has created chaos in the past. If the good doctor is so fearful that the conservatives will bring forward legislation wrong in principle and injurious in effects he should support J. R. Brown, the candidate of a party who will not be guilty of the confirmed habits of the conservatives."
"Dr. Spankie the conservative candidate cannot trust his leader. In an address printed at Timothy Eatons's or somewhere else outside the district, he states that he "shall insist in every instance in holding the party true to its professions; and he will "condemn any legislation even if brought forward by my own party, which I believe wrong in principle arid injurious in effects." It is well that Dr. Spankie should take this wise precaution when the men behind McBride are considered, but it is this ''good lord, good devil policy" which has created chaos in the past. If the good doctor is so fearful that the conservatives will bring forward legislation wrong in principle and injurious in effects he should support J. R. Brown, the candidate of a party who will not be guilty of the confirmed habits of the conservatives."
News of J. R. Brown's election as Member of Parliament was met by cheers across the Boundary, but especially in his hometown of Greenwood. The win was reported in the October 9, 1903 Times:[9]
IT IS NOW BROWN M.P.P.
Liberals win Over Both Parties in Greenwood
Tbe Result Throughout the Province
—Election Notes
"It is now J. R. Brown M. P. P., and one of the most bitterly contested elections in the province is over. Mr. Brown's majority over Ernest Mills, Socialist, is small but in elections an inch is as good as a mile.
The campaign was unique in many respects, Mr. Brown shortly after his nomination, gave almost his entire time to the fight and personally saw the majority of the electors. Meetings were also held at the various centres in the district and the issues of the campaign intelligently and forcibly discussed.
The campaign so far as the Liberals were concerned practically closed on Thursday with a largely attended meeting in the auditorium. Mr. Brown went fully into the issues of the campaign and the Liberal platform. He was followed by Chas. W. Wilson on behalf of the Socialists and Duncan Ross closed the meeting on behalf of Mr. Brown. Dr. Spankie the Conservative candidate held no meetings until Thursday evening before the election when at the earnest solicitation of his friends in Eholt, a meeting was held there. …
[Upon news that Mr. Brown had won…] His enthusiastic supporters rushed to the committee rooms and the victorious candidate was received with cheer after cheer. Mr. Brown thanked them for their magnificent work. The victory was theirs and he was determined that they would never regret the efforts they had made to elect him."
Liberals win Over Both Parties in Greenwood
Tbe Result Throughout the Province
—Election Notes
"It is now J. R. Brown M. P. P., and one of the most bitterly contested elections in the province is over. Mr. Brown's majority over Ernest Mills, Socialist, is small but in elections an inch is as good as a mile.
The campaign was unique in many respects, Mr. Brown shortly after his nomination, gave almost his entire time to the fight and personally saw the majority of the electors. Meetings were also held at the various centres in the district and the issues of the campaign intelligently and forcibly discussed.
The campaign so far as the Liberals were concerned practically closed on Thursday with a largely attended meeting in the auditorium. Mr. Brown went fully into the issues of the campaign and the Liberal platform. He was followed by Chas. W. Wilson on behalf of the Socialists and Duncan Ross closed the meeting on behalf of Mr. Brown. Dr. Spankie the Conservative candidate held no meetings until Thursday evening before the election when at the earnest solicitation of his friends in Eholt, a meeting was held there. …
[Upon news that Mr. Brown had won…] His enthusiastic supporters rushed to the committee rooms and the victorious candidate was received with cheer after cheer. Mr. Brown thanked them for their magnificent work. The victory was theirs and he was determined that they would never regret the efforts they had made to elect him."
Three years later, we find this Times report[10], about one of the Socialists' newest frontrunners, J. H. Hawthronthwaite, with whom John Brown continued to scuffle on matters politic. When Hawthornthwaite was called out in a public meeting by the Liberals, they incited this reply:
"When Mr. Hawthornthwaite rose to reply he was furiously angry. He
called Messrs. Brown and Ross "dickie birds," "ducks," "suckers" and several other endearing terms."
Just another day in the life of a Greenwood politician.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] A History of British Columbia by R. Edward Gosnell (1906)
[2] Boundary Creek Times — Jul 24, 1903 p. 1
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0170890
[3] Boundary Creek Times — Jul 27, 1906 p. 5
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0171998
[4] Boundary Creek Times — Jun 05, 1903 p. 5
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0171090
[5] Greenwood Weekly Times — Sep 25, 1903 p. 1
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0170777
[6] Boundary Creek Times — Jul 24, 1903 p. 1
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0170890
[7] Boundary Creek Times — Oct 02, 1903, p. 9
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0170751
[8] Boundary Creek Times — Sep 18, 1903 p. 1
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0170731
[9] Boundary Creek Times — Oct 09, 1903, p. 1
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0170732
[10] Boundary Creek Times — Jul 27, 1906 p. 6
https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xboundarycr/items/1.0171998
(On page 1 of this issue there is also a lengthy report on the political battles between the Socialists and the Liberals, providing details on the planks of J. R. Brown's platform.)
