Biography of Cyril P. Brown, M.D. Cyril P. Brown, M.D., a popular and highly successful medical practitionerand skillful surgeon of Spring Lake, Ottawa County, Mich., is a native of theState. Our subject, born in Lenawee County, is the son of Dr. David Brown, oneof the pioneer settlers of the last named county, but a native of Massachusetts.Dr. David Brown emigrated with his parents from New England to the WolverineState when only a child and attained to manhood upon the farm of the paternalgrandfather, one of the earliest and most energetic of the generalagriculturists of Lenawee County. The father completed his medical studies inPittsfield, Mass., and, thoroughly adapted to his profession by natural giftsand education, became eminent as a physician and surgeon. Aside from hisprofessional duties, as a public spirited and liberal citizen he devoted himselfwith enthusiasm to the betterment of mankind. From his earliest youth a stanchAbolitionist, he did not live to witness the freedom of the slave, but passedaway in 1858, mourned as a public loss. The mother, in youth, Miss Harriet Peck,of Lenawee County, was a faithful helpmate to the pioneer physician, andtenderly cared for the three sons and one daughter who blessed the Michiganhome. Our subject, the eldest of the family, like his father enjoyed theadvantages of an excellent education, and after a thorough course in theHillsdale (Mich.) College, graduated with honor in the Class of ’68. Deciding to enter the same profession in which his father had made such anenviable record, our subject matriculated at Rush Medical College, Chicago, andreceived his degree in 1870. At the age of seventeen, Dr. Brown, answering tothe call of his country, enlisted in Company F, Fourth Michigan Infantry, andwas detailed for service in the Army of the Potomac. He participated in hisinitial engagement in the battle of Fredericksburg, and was in variousconflicts, remaining in the army until 1864, during which year he was dischargedfor disability. In 1869, Dr. Brown was united in marriage in the county of hisbirth with Miss Clara J. Ames, the young couple making their home in LenaweeCounty until their removal in the fall of 1871, to Spring Lake, where they havesince continued to reside. During the past twenty-two years, Dr. Brown has beenconstantly before the public, not only as a professional man but in variousofficial positions, to the work of which he has given the executive businessability for which he is distinguished. For the first four years of his residencein his present locality our subject was Consulting Physician at the MagneticMineral Springs. A man of enterprise, he in 1888 assisted in the organization ofthe Clinker Boat Manufacturing Company, of Spring Lake, and as its Presidentsided in the establishment of a fine jobbing trade in boats. Dr. Brown isinterested in gold mining in the "sanagon mining district",Washington, and was one of the first upon the ground after the discoveries oftreasure. Our subject has held every office in Grand Army Post No. 279, of Spring Lake,and was one of the charter members of the post. For two terms he served asCommander of the post, and at the time Gen. Rutherford was Department Commanderhe served as Medical Director of the State Department. At the State Encampmentof the Grand Army of the Republic, held at Bay City in the year 1890, thedelegates to the National Encampment, to be held in Milwaukee, were instructedto cast their vote for Dr. Brown as Surgeon-General. Gen. Alger at a later dateannounced himself as candidate for Commander-in-Chief, and Dr. Brown withdrew inhis favor. Gen. Alger having been elected the Doctor served on his staff withthe rank of Colonel. While Gen. Duffield was Department Commander. Dr. Brown wasfor one term a member of his staff. For six years he was President of the UnitedStates Pension Board at Muskegon and likewise enjoyed the honor of being adelegate to the National Convention which nominated Benjamin Harrison, in thefall of 1888, to the Presidency of the United States. Politically, the Doctor has been all his life a stanch Republican, his fatherearly being an old-line Whig and afterward an Abolitionist of the mostpronounced type. The father was also a devout member of the Baptist Church andan earnest Christian worker. Our subject is fraternally associated with theAncient Free and Accepted Masons and has long been connected with that ancientorder. He is also a member of the Ta Delta, of Hillsdale, and among the pleasantmemories of his school-days was the companionship of Will Carleton, who was aroommate of his for two years. Financially prospered, Dr. Brown has enjoyed thepleasure of extended trips to the West, and in 1892, accompanied by his wife,visited the Pacific Slope and spent many months. One son has blessed the home ofour subject and his accomplished wife, Dana Brown, now connected with the boatbusiness, and an energetic and enterprising young man, with a bright futurebefore him. It is safe to say that from a social and business standpoint no manin all the county of Ottawa more fully possesses the confidence and esteem ofthe general public than our subject, who literally numbers his friends tried andtrue by the score.