William Joseph Brown
William Joseph Brown (1835-1894)
1895 Obituary [1]
WILLIAM JOSEPH BROWN, born in London on the 24th of April, 1835, commenced his business career in a solicitor’s office, where he obtained a good elementary knowledge of legal matters.
A desire for foreign travel, however, induced him to proceed to Bermuda in a clerical capacity on board HMS Chatham. On his return he was again for a time in a lawyer’s office, but in 1853 he obtained an appointment in the well-known engineering firm of James Simpson and Co, whose works were then in the Belgrave Road, Pimlico.
From the position of a junior clerk, Mr. Brown rose to that of cashier, and ultimately became secretary and managing director of the Company, his connection with which lasted for more than forty years. His financial abilities were of a high order, and he possessed a keen aptitude for business. His success was probably much facilitated by his unvarying geniality and frank disposition.
For three years prior to his death, which took place on the 4th of December, 1894, Mr. Brown had been afflicted by almost total loss of sight. This he bore with exemplary fortitude, as well as other ailments culminating in acute inflammation of the kidneys, coupled with cardiac syncope, to which he succumbed.
Mr. Brown was married on the 11th of September, 1862, to his cousin, Miss Elizabeth Rowell, whom he leaves a widow with four daughters.
He was elected an Associate of the Institution on the 2nd of February, 1875, and was subsequently placed in the class of Associate Member.
1894 Obituary [2]