Contributor: Frances Stelter Source: Personal Collection

J. H. Brown's Grocery, ca. 1900

Pictured above is John Brown's grocery store located at the northeastcorner of Maria and Washington streets following the Civil War. The date Brown opened his business is unknown, but on August 13, 1879, Brown was appointed postmasterfor the village and began operating the post office out of this building. The Village of Fair Water History, compiled in 1960 by the Fairwater Study Club, notes that:

His store was noted for the large peanuts, old fashioned licorice and heart shaped chewing gum. He was born in Sutton, Vt., in 1834 and came west in 1857. He served in the 32 WVI for 3 years, being discharged June 12, 1865.

Brown's residence was located immediately across Maria Street in a home that is still standing. The two buildings were connected by a hard surfaced walkway, visible in the right foreground in the photograph. The grocery was demolished sometime after the turn of the century and replaced with a large residence, the home for many years of the Lieske family.