Brown, H. J. (1879-1959)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 Oct 1 p. 3

Birth date: 1879

text of obituary:

Pioneer Missionary to China Called by Death

REV. H. J. BROWN SERVED IN FAR EAST FOR NEARLY 40 YEARS

Freeman, S. D. — Funeral services were held at the Salem-Zion Mennonite church here Sunday, Sept. 20, for Rev. H. J. Brown, pioneer Mennonite missionary to China. Death came Sept. 18 after a long illness.

The services were in charge of Rev. Olin A. Krehbiel, pastor of the church, assisted by Rev. August Ewert, former co-worker in China.

After attending the Baptist College and Seminary at Rochester, N. Y., Rev Brown was ordained to the ministry Oct. 24, 1909. On Oct. 31 he was married to Mary Miller of Freeman, and several days later they left for China.

The couple engaged in pioneer mission work, without benefit of conference support, until 1914 when the General Conference began sponsoring the work. During World War II the Browns were interned by the Japanese for 20 months, returning home in 1943. Later they again went back to the China field, completing nearly 40 years of service there before returning to the U. S. in 1949.

Surviving in addition to Mrs. Brown are two daughters, Mrs. John Warkentin of Atlanta, Ga. and Mrs. Menno Gaeddert of Newton, Kan.; one son, Dr. Roland Brown of Detroit, Mich.; one sister, Mrs. Anna Kunkel of Oregon; and one brother, John, of Minneapolis.

The Mennonite obituary: 1959 Dec 15 p. 787
The Mennonite obituary: 1960 Feb 9 p. 86