Kenneth Richard Brown 1901-1933

Front row L to R - Margaret N Brown (Midge), Grace G. Johns-Brown, James Alpheus Brown, Helen Loren Brown.  Back Row L to R -  Paul E. Brown, Russell John Brown and Kenneth Richard Brown

Kenneth Richard Brown grew up in Pulaski Pennsylvania second son of James Alpheus Brown and Grace Gertrude Johns.

Kenneth Richard Brown 
brother to Helen Lorene Brown
Mother to
William (grandpa Latimer)
father to
Nancy
Donna 
Bill
Ronald
Russ 
Wayne

Sometime it is easy to follow the timeline of a person’s life. Kenneth Richard Brown was one of those. I became interested in him when I discovered this gravestone. There are three persons shown. Kenneth Brown, Phoebe Cochran - a different last name -and a grandson Kenneth only one year old. The little ones that pass so early always pull at my heartstrings. 

I knew that Kenneth was the brother of great grandmother Helen Lorene Brown. But I wondered, why did he die so young and who were those laid to rest beside him? 

As I began to search Newspapers in Newcastle, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania I was surprised at the wealth of information I found. Kenneth as a young man attending social activities of the era, recitals, parties, receptions, and going to school. 

In January 1923 at the age of twenty two  he was working for the Smith Foster Motor Car Company and suffered a severe accident. Kenneth suffer a fractured jaw and lacerations of his face and was hospitalized for "some time."  The life long affect of this accident is unknown but this along with his employment in the Ohio steel mills could have contributed to his early demise. He eventually recovered from this accident and resumed his normal life. There is no mention of scaring or any other disability. 

Fortunately for us everything that happened in a small town was news, when there was a party or reception, when a person came to visit, or when someone lost their horse it was  in the newspaper. At some of events I found Kenneth and a young lady by the name of Phoebe Fennick. Maybe a little match making by friends and family? In about 1925 Phoebe became Kenneth's wife. Also in attendance was a young man by the name of Lyle Latimer. (Father of William Latimer) Could he and Kenneth have been buddies? 

In 1930 Phoebe, Kenneth and their young son lived in Coitsville, Mahoning, Ohio. This is just minutes away from Youngstown.  In Coitsville, Kenneth is working in a steel mill as a pipe fitter. This is a historic area where Bethlehem Steel, Carnegie Steel and Youngstown Steel and Tube where located. Bruce Springsteen wrote this thoughtful song about the era. Bruce Springsteen - Youngstown

Youngstown Steel Mill

In 1931 a second son was born Donald Alpheus Brown 1931–1996.

But in 1933 tragedy struck. Kenneth became sick with pneumonia.  During this time his mother-in-law Sadie Fennick came to stay with the family and help with his care. Why did his wife need extra help?  I thought this seemed a little odd at the time but brushed it off thinking it had to do with how sick he was.

Kenneth Richard Brown died 3 August 1933 of double pneumonia at the young age of thirty three years old.  At this point I was well acquainted with Kenneth and I actually shed a tear when I found the article about his death.  This may seem a little strange but as I learn about person I get pretty attached. It felt like I had lost an old friend. 

But the story does not end there! Flash forward to 1940. What happen to the widow with two young sons?  Now we find Phoebe Fennick Brown living with her mother and THREE sons.  Her name has not changed and there is no husband listed in the household.  After a little calculating I was able to see the reason that Phoebe's mother came to help care for her son in law.  Phoebe Brown was pregnant at the time of her husbands death.  Their third son Edward Brown was born in 1934. How sad this must of been for this little family.  

Phoebe did eventually remarry after 1948 but it was short lived.  Either due to divorce or the husband's death.  She remained very active in her community and it appears those around her rallied to support the young widow.  I believe the moral of this story is the beautiful strength and determination that people have. In our day we sometimes need that reassurance that life goes on and that our loved ones are at peace. 

The young boy buried with his grandparents is Kenneth Raymond Brown 1953-1954 child of the oldest son Richard J. Brown.