William M. Brown, Jr., was born in St. Clair, Michigan in 1806. He moved to Milwaukee
in 1836 and was employed as a clerk with the American Fur Company. After arriving in
Milwaukee, he was appointed Inspector of Provisions by Lewis Cass, the Territorial
Governor. He married Susan Wells (1810-1897), sister of Daniel Wells, Jr., in 1839.
Brown was a successful merchant and was active in community affairs, serving in
various capacities, such as an assessor for the village government of the East Side,
a Supervisor for the township government, and a trustee for the East Side. In 1841,
he was a contractor for the construction of the Rock River Canal. Brown died in
1862.
Edward Ferguson was born in Hannibal, New York, in 1843. He moved to Milwaukee in
1860 where he worked as a bookkeeper at Cutler & Sons. After the Civil War broke
out, Ferguson enlisted as a private in the Milwaukee Light Guards, which later
became part of the First Regiment. In 1862, Ferguson was severely wounded at the
Battle of Perryville. While still bedridden from his wounds, he was honorably
discharged in 1864. He married William Brown’s daughter, Marcia (1841-1931) in 1867.
That same year, he was appointed Secretary of the Soldiers’ Home and promoted to the
rank of captain. In 1869, Ferguson was appointed Pension Agent, a post he held for
17 years. He was also a junior vice chief for the Grand Army of the Republic and a
charter member of the Loyal Legion. Ferguson died in 1901.
