Page 542 - Martin Brown, United States marshal for the western district of Michigan, is respected and admired as an efficient and industrious officer of the federal government. His father, William Brown, came from Alsace-Lorraine, then a part of France, to Buffalo, N.Y., in the early days and there found employment in the shipyards as a blacksmith. He then went to Cleveland for a few years, after which he was employed as a blacksmith by Nichols Pickard on Manitou Island. His next move was to Frankfort, Michigan, where for a time he conducted a blacksmith shop. After working for Thomas Kelderhouse at Port Eunida, Michigan, he removed to Leland, Michigan, in 1867, where he married Anna Dufek, a native of Bohemia, the following year. He bought a farm near Leland and became one of the prominent residents of his community. He was exemplary of the sturdy pioneer stock that has been prominent in the development of Michigan. He died August 1, 1894, and his widow died January 31, 1923, living at Leland until her death. Martin Brown was born at Leland in 1871 where he attended the public schools, working on his father’s farm during the summer months, and in the winter working with his father in his blacksmith shop. Later, he became a sailor on the Great Lakes. The serious illness of his father called him home and he remained at Leland until his appointment as marshal at Grand Rapids. He still retains his residence at Leland. In 1896 when he was twenty-five years old, he was elected clerk and two years later appointed under-sheriff of the county, a position which he held for two terms. He ran for the office of sheriff in 1901 and was elected to that post. A popular and efficient peace officer, he was re-elected to that office for a second term and again for a third. He became an under-sheriff again after the expiration of his third term. His many friends put up his name as a candidate for election as county supervisor and the people at the polls voted to install him in that office. While he was still serving in that capacity, he was elected probate judge of the county by his enthusiastic adherents. He soon found, however, that the duties of both positions were too much for one man to handle and accordingly he resigned as county supervisor and held the office of probate judge eleven years. Such was the reputation that he made in the office of sheriff, that when a vacancy in the office of United States marshal of the western district of Michigan appeared, his name was suggested for appointment to that office by friends. On March 1, 1923, he received his appointment to that office and since that time has ably discharged the duties which it entails. He is regarded as an efficient officer, and that he is popular and capable as well is shown in his frequent election to office by the people of his own county. Receiving his appointment, he came to Grand Rapids and has since made his home here. Mr. Brown is conscientious in the discharge of his duties and is as able and industrious as he is willing.