The following biography, and the portrait above, are from History of Lapeer County, Michigan : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers (1884) by H. R. Page pp. 78-9.

Charles W. BROWN was born in Nassau, Rensselaer County, N. Y., in 1819. His parents were farmers and he was brought up on a farm. When sixteen years of age he went into a store in the village of Nassau, remaining there until he was twenty-one years of age. He then went to Monroe County, N. Y., where he remained till 1842, when he removed to Lapeer County, Michigan, where he has since resided. Lived at Farmers Creek from 1845 to 1881. Has been a farmer most of the time, but was also in the mercantile business and manufactured potash. Was a justice of the peace and school inspector in Metamora. Elected judge of probate in 1880, and re-elected in 1882. Since holding this office has lived in Lapeer City. Married in 1845 to Susan E. Cressey, a native of New Hampshire. They have three children, one daughter and two sons. One son is a farmer in Metamora Township, the other is a graduate of West Point and is now lieutenant in the United States army.

The small community of Farmer's Creek is in Metamora and Hadley. It is close to the NE corner of Hadley, the NW corner of Metamora, the SW corner of Lapeer, and the SE corner of Elba Townships. Charles W. BROWN owned two properties, each about 50 acres, which appear on the 1863 map, above.