William Henry Brown

(1831 - 1869) 

 William H Brown first settled near Hurricane Creek in Oregon County, MO, then later lived close to Winona, MO.  In 1841 he settled at Birch Prarie, south of what is now Birch Tree.  According to court records, he owned land there in 1854.

It is said that settlers would place letters in a mail box made in an old birch tree near Birch Creek.  It would be picked up each week by horse and wagon and delivered to a post office.  Birch Tree did not have a post office until William H Brown wrote to the postal service to request one.  He was named Post Master for several years.

William H Brown homesteaded his land and had quite an acerage on both sides of Birch Creek (named after the Birch Treest there).  William's son David Morgan bought a farm on the west side of the creek and William built a house on the east side of the creek where he lived until he died.

William Henry was very well known in the valley and seemed to be well respected.  His wife was of Dutch parentage.  He deeded the 6 acres for the present day Brown-DePriest cemetery.

Written by Sue Reed - date unknown