Brown Family

Brown Brothers Store

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To begin, a short family history which Ed Marsh uncovered.
“James Willard Brown – Mr Hobby Shop – was descended from Col. William Jenkins Thomas (1796-1863) & Rachel Montgomery Hoge (1800-1828) – whose big brick mansion was on Draper Road (Old Water Street). It is next to the Alex Black House & Museum.

Col Thomas was married twice: First to Rachel Montgomery Hoge (1800-1828), and second to Lucretia Howe (mentioned later). Col. Thomas had four daughters who married prominent Bburg citizens.

Col. Thomas and Rachel Hoge:

1] Ann Elizabeth Thomas (1828-1903) married James Cartmill Brown (1828-1913)

2] Rachel Hoge Thomas (1828-1908) married Charles Decatur Peck (1819-1903)

Col Thomas & Lucretia Howe

3] Julia Ellen Thomas (1844-1916) married Wm. B Conway (1845-1920)

4] Mary Black Thomas (1834-1914) married Achilles Webster Luster (1828-1916)

Two or three sons of Ann Elizabeth Thomas and James Cartmill Brown were the “Brown Brothers”:

Robert Lee Brown (1868-1941), James Montgomery Brown (1872-1939), and maybe John Cartmill Brown, Jr (1856-1933)”

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Digging into the census, birth and death records as well as newspapers revealed added information about the family and their merchant businesses. James Montgomery Brown and Mary Stiff, from Richmond, raised a son, James Willard “Willy” Brown (b. 1 Nov. 1916) and a daughter, Anne Brown (b. 1912) who married W.O. Blandford.

This family was found in the 1920 US Population Census, living on College View Hill, which is now NW Washington Street. The Lancaster’s (of the Mayor of Blacksburg and Lucy Lee fame) were their neighbors along with Branch Bocock. J. Montgomery’s occupation was listed as “Merchant, Gen. Store.” In the Bugle’s Echo (page 3516) Harry Temple explained that during the 1927 to 28 school session, the Brown and Rector Hardware store moved to the building that had been occupied by the Ellett & Pedigo drugstore, at the south-east corner of College and Main Streets. Their hardware store moved across Main Street from College Avenue because their previous building was used to create the newly built Plank and Whitsett Building, which included “The Corner” drugstore. We are not sure if this hardware store was related to this Brown family, yet.

In the 1930 Census, James Montgomery Brown’s occupation was noted as “Merchant, General Mdse.” They were still living on Washington Street with the Lancaster’s as neighbors, so it is assumed they did not move since the last census.

James Willard Brown graduated from VPI on June 6, 1938 with a degree in Business Administration (Times Dispatch, Richmond, 29 May 1938). One year later he signed his draft card at age 23. His mother, Mary S. Brown, was listed as the contact. Willard’s employer was noted as Brown Bros., Blacksburg. The 1938 and 1939 telephone directories list “Brown Bros Gen MDSE Main” St, Blacksburg, phone 3351 and the home address for James M. Brown was Kent St, phone number 2161.

By the 1940 US Population Census, Willard was living with his mother, Mary S. Brown, widow, her husband died on 21 June 1939. Willard’s occupation was “Merchant, Retail General Merch..” They were living at the corner of Kent and Washington St, possible the same home as in the 1920 & 1930 census. One account was that in 1944 the Brown Bros sold fresh donuts.

It was noted in the 1950’s census that Willard was living at 301 Kent Street (home no longer exists, but was where the Presbyterian Campus Ministry building now stands) with 7 male lodgers, all between 18 and 22 years-old (assume college students). He had never married and worked 52 hours that week, as a grocer in a Retail Grocery Store.

The 1955 Blacksburg telephone directory listed him as “Brown, J. Willard r Main N.” His phone number was 2161, the same phone number of his parents in 1938/39 which possibly means he is living in the same home or did phone numbers move with the person at this time? The Brown Bros business was not listed in the 1955 directory.

According to memories posted on the same Facebook group, Willard managed the grocery store at 101 South Main Street. Several members remembered the fresh donuts. He also ran or just worked at Hardin’s Hobby Shop on College Ave and then when it moved to North Main Street, under the Barber Shop. He may have been involved with Reed Hardning’s Western Auto store on Main Street.

James Willard Brown died on the 16th of October in 1989 while living at Showalter Center and he is buried in Westview Cemetery.

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The History of 101 South Main St

The other proprietors following the Brown enterprise at 101 S. Main Street may have been as follows: Harry Crismond’s furniture/appliance store, Howard & Betty Newman ran a TV & vacuum repair shop, sold furniture and sewing machines, and held sewing classes. The Flower Box moved into the space in the 1960’s but closed in the early 80’s. After the list includes: Grass Roots, a book shop, Hokie Spokes, Zanadu gift shop, Nail Salon and now New River Fiber Co.