Born November 24, 1850 in Indiana to David and Mary Jane Forsythe Brown
Died July 7, 1936 probably in Newkirk, Kay County, Oklahoma
Buried in Newkirk Cemetery, Newkirk, Kay County, Oklahoma
“Jennie” was most likely a nickname as census records show her name as Mary Jane Brown.
She was one of four children Sarah, Robert, Mary J. David and Augusta in the family.
Her father died sometime between 1856 and 1860, before she was 10 years old.
Jennie Brown does not appear to be related directly to any of the Brown families living in Fillmore County, although at one time her mother Mary Jane and her brother D. W. were residents of Geneva. She also had an uncle, John Forsythe that lived in Fillmore County before he left for Oklahoma.
1880 Census lists her occupation as a school teacher in Evansville, Indiana. She was living with her mother Mary J. and sister Augusta.
1890 Census not available as it was destroyed in 1921 by fire in Washington D. C.
Jennie first appeared in 1891 when she built a brick building on Court Street. The newspaper said she has come to remain with us permanently.
D. W. (David Washington) Brown and his sister Jennie returned from a trip to Oklahoma.
Apparently Jennie and her brother each had a claim in Oklahoma in the Cherokee Strip. Jennie made frequent trips between Geneva and Newkirk, somes remaining away for nearly a year at a time. Jennie and her mother also wintered in California.
In 1894, Jennie was a member of the W.C.T.U. (Woman’s Christian Temperance Union). The W.C.T.U. was a religious organization whose primary purpose was to combat the use of alcohol.
Not only did Miss Brown invest in commercial and residential property, she also owned farm ground around Fillmore County,
In 1898 Miss Jennie Brown was appointed by the governor of Oklahoma to represent the territory at the Farmers National Congress to be held at Fort Worth, Texas.
1900 Census lists Jennie and mother Mary as residents of Newkirk, Oklahoma
In July of 1904 Miss Brown placed all of her Geneva property on the market, except for the corner occupied by Mohrman’s (996 G Street). She also planned to sell all of her property at Newkirk and consolidate her interests at Monrovia, California. Jennie owned a half block in the business section in Monrovia on which she erected seven brick buildings. She resided in Long Beach, California. The two towns are about 30 miles apart and were connected by an electric car line.
1910 Census lists Jennie aged 58 and her mother Mary J. aged 83 living in Newkirk, Oklahoma. Her occupation is listed as her own income from rental property.
1920 Census Jennie is living on a farm in Kay County with her brother D. W.
1930 Census Jennie was living alone on her farm in Kay County, Oklahoma