Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/793

 HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY 089 Seminary. Upon completing his studies he started life for him- self as a clerk in the grocery store of Peter Kempe, at Red Wing. After three years he engaged in his present business in 1893, in which line he has since successfully continued. Mr. Brown was married December 26, 1894, to Lena M. Towle, of Red Wing, daughter of D. H. Towle, a farmer of Featherstone township in this county. Mrs. Brown's mother is now deceased and her father, who has remarried, is now living a retired life in Minne- apolis, having sold his farm in Featherstone. To Mr. and Mrs. Brown have been born six children: Marian, born in 1895; Flor- ence I., born January 13, 1897; Charles D., born January 24, 1898; Robert D., born August 21, 1901; Kenneth, born April 15, 1903, and Edward, born in September, 1908. Mr. Brown is a Republican in politics and belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. He affiliates with the Masons, the United Workmen and the Modern Woodmen. He has never sought public office. It is a matter worthy of somewhat extended note that Mr. Brown was chairman of the parade committee for the now famous cele- bration held in Red Wing, July 3, 4 and 5, 1909. With that energy that has characterized all his efforts, Mr. Brown set at work making the plans, and not only persuaded the leading busi- ness interests of Red Wing to participate in the parade, but also made a notable showing from his own stables. Seldom in any city in Minnesota has there been seen so fine a display of horses and vehicles as Mr. Brown had in the parade that day. Mr. Brown takes a personal as well as a business interest in his horses, being a lover of high grade animals, and his stables contain some fine specimens of horse flesh. Frank G. Hickman, Red Wing, who has charge of the metal work of the Red Wing Boat Company, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., July 24. 1856, son of Peter and Margaret (Gabriel) Hickman, natives of Germany, both having been born on the banks of the historic and picturesque Rhine. They came to America in the early forties and located in New York state, where they were married, the father engaging in wagon making at Buffalo until coming to Red Wing in 1868, still following the same business here with his brother under the firm name of Hickman Brothers for three years. Afterward he conducted the business alone as sole owner and proprietor until his death, February 4, 1878. His wife died in 1871. After receiving his education in the excellent public schools of Buffalo, Frank G. came to Red Wing with his parents and at once started work as clerk in a confectionery store, remaining three years. His next employment was with E. L. Baker, where he thoroughly mastered the tinning business. In this vocation he has since continued, now doing all the tin,