OKGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of OKGenWeb State Coordinator. Presentation here does not extend any permissions to the public. This material can not be included in any compilation, publication, collection, or other reproduction for profit without permission. Files may be printed or copied for personal use only. ===================================================================== ELMER E. BROWN Vol. 3, p. 1153 The present secretary of the Chamber of Commerce of Oklahoma City, Elmer E. BROWN, has been a resident of this city for more than a quarter of a century, and during this time has been engaged in a variety of pursuits, in all of which he has been connected more or less closely with the growing commercial and civic importance of this thriving western community. At various times he has been called to fill positions of trust and responsibility, and at all times has displayed a commendable desire to assist other stirring and public- spirited men in advancing the city's interests. Mr. BROWN was born in Wyandotte County, Ohio, July 17, 1861, and is a son of Jacob C., and Alvira (HULL) BROWN. He secured his early education in the public schools of his native locality, this being supplemented by a course at the normal school at Paola, Kansas, and thus prepared entered upon his career as an educator, being engaged in teaching school for two years. In 1887 Mr. BROWN moved to what was known as No Man's Land, a tract of land which had been ceded to the United States Government by Texas, in 1850, but which for a number of years had no government. This is now included in Beaver County, Oklahoma, and there is probably no man in the state who is more familiar with the history of this interesting locality than is Mr. BROWN, who is considered an authority and has been frequently called upon to settle disputes regarding its history. While residing there, Mr. BROWN devoted his attention to newspaper work, for which his talents peculiarly fitted him, and it was in this same capacity that he made his appearance in Oklahoma City, in July 1889. Mr. BROWN continued to be engaged in journalistic labors with several newspapers here until 1903, and in the meantime identified himself with politics, so that in 1895 he was appointed chief clerk of the Territorial Senate. His work in that body impressed itself favorably upon the administration, and in 1901 he was appointed territorial oil inspector, a position which he held during that and the following years. He continued his newspaper connections while holding office, but in 1903 again entered public life, when he was appointed postmaster of Oklahoma City, and retained that office until 1912, having at that time completely abandoned newspaper work. During his administration the service was greatly improved, and he made a record which established him in the confidence of the people and gave him the reputation of being a man who could accomplish things. Always an enthusiastic booster of Oklahoma City's interest when he left the postmaster's office in 1912, he was chosen as secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, and has continued to devote his energies and talents to the duties of that position to the present time. Mr. BROWN is a republican of the progressive variety and has continued actively interested in the community's affairs. He maintains offices on the twelfth floor of the Colcord Building, and his residence is at no. 125 West Ninth Street. At the present time he is one of the working members of the advisory board of the city. He has no membership in clubs or secret societies, and is unmarried. Typed for OKGenWeb by: Donald E. Conley 29 October 1998.