E. A. BROWNELL is a native of Bethany, Genesee County, N. Y., and was born March 7, 1816. He came to Metamora, Lapeer County, Mich., in 1838, and settled on section 20, where he remained until 1872, when he removed to his present farm in Hadley, on section 25. Has been engaged in farming since he came to Michigan, and has cleared up large tracts of land. He now owns a fine farm upon which may be seen substantial and commodious buildings. Was elected to the State legislature in 1866 and re-elected in 1868. Has been supervisor two years, justice of the peace sixteen years, besides having held other township offices. When he came to Lapeer County the townships of Metamora and Hadley were very sparsely settled, containing perhaps nine families to each. Travel was carried on by the aid of marked trees as there were no roads cut out at that time. He was married in the spring of 1838 to Miss Emily DOWD, who was born in Massachusetts in 1817. They have had seven children, five of whom are living. [HRP, p. 90]

The Business Directory in the 1874 Atlas of Lapeer County has the following entry in Hadley Township:

Brownell E. A. . . Ex. Member of State Legislature Also, Farmer and Breeder of Fine Cattle and Horses, Dist No 2

and in Metamora Township:

Brownell Enos L. . . Farmer. Grain, Stock and Leicester Sheep Raiser, Dist No 6
Brownell Ellery L. . . Farmer, Grain, Stock and Fine Wool Sheep Raiser, Dist No 6

The 1863 map above shows 4 properties belonging to E. A. BROWNELL. The 240-acre plot in Metamora, Section 20, must have been his first home in Lapeer County. Adjoining it, in Section 29, are another 160 acres. Over in Hadley, Section 24, an 80-acre plot. Finally, in Hadley, Section 25, the 160-acre farm where he lived after 1872. These total 640 acres, or 1 square mile.

In April, 1840, a sad event occurred in the southwestern part of the town [Metamora]. A party of boys and young men were returning from church one Sunday, and as they were passing a little lake on their way home, three of them, Leonard BROWNELL, Simon STONE and Peter PRICE, got into a boat for a pleasure ride. When fairly out upon the water they began scuffling and rocking the boat, and capsized it. STONE and PRICE attempted to swim to shore, but the water was so cold they were soon benumbed and sank. BROWNELL escaped by clinging to the boat until assistance could reach him. The bodies were recovered, and at the funeral which was held at the Webster school-house, and attended by the Rev. Robert MCKAY, a large crowd collected. They were buried in a small grave-yard laid out near the school-house; when this was abandoned some years after, their remains were removed to the Hadley cemetery. The lake is situated on the farm of Ellery A. BROWNELL, and known as Loon Lake, and it is said that there has never been a boat on the lake since and although the lake abounds in fish, it is very seldom that any one visits it even for the purpose of fishing. [HRP, pp. 120-1]

Thanks to Abby Wedge for the two photos, above. I have cropped both and enhanced the contrast on the second. If you would like the originals that Abby sent me, send me an email, at haloupek at gmail dot com.

[HRP] History of Lapeer County, Michigan : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers (1884) by H. R. Page

1863 Map of Lapeer County includes names of property and business owners.