My great-grandfather, Archibald "Archy" Brown was born in Antrim County, Ireland (now Northern Ireland) and at the age of 19 years old immigrated to the U.S. in 1868. He lived for one year in New Jersey and later for awhile in Texas before moving to McPherson County, Kansas. Where he homesteaded some land and then worked to become a successful farmer. By 1885, their farm consisted of 240 acres, and they raised corn, oats, Irish potatoes, and wheat. They also had chickens, horses, cattle, and hogs, and an orchard of apple and peach trees added to their holdings.
And then family disaster struck. Their entire homestead including their home, barn and out buildings was wiped by out a tornado. My grandmother, Grace then a young girl along with her sisters and their mother Annie (who is my great-grandmother) hide frighten in the storm cellar. My Dad's uncle, Archy Jr. then just a boy was down the road crouched under a nearby bridge.... Meanwhile my great-grandfather, Archy, Sr., was out in the yard, holding onto a tree for dear life as the tornado passed. The only untouched was the family rocking chair. The rocking chair still exists by a distance family member somewhere in Kansas. As of today the only thing left of the Brown's homestead is a marble stepping stone with my great-grandfather's name "Archy Brown" inscribed on it. The rings were used to tie horses to. The location of this marble stone is where the family homestead had been at in the late 1800s.
And then family disaster struck. Their entire homestead including their home, barn and out buildings was wiped by out a tornado. My grandmother, Grace then a young girl along with her sisters and their mother Annie (who is my great-grandmother) hide frighten in the storm cellar. My Dad's uncle, Archy Jr. then just a boy was down the road crouched under a nearby bridge.... Meanwhile my great-grandfather, Archy, Sr., was out in the yard, holding onto a tree for dear life as the tornado passed. The only untouched was the family rocking chair. The rocking chair still exists by a distance family member somewhere in Kansas. As of today the only thing left of the Brown's homestead is a marble stepping stone with my great-grandfather's name "Archy Brown" inscribed on it. The rings were used to tie horses to. The location of this marble stone is where the family homestead had been at in the late 1800s.
A family farm on the prairies of Kansas.
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