Reverend Henry Brown facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Henry Brown
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1865 photo of Brown with Old Bob at the funeral of Abraham Lincoln
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| Born | April 17, 1823 Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.
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| Died | September 3, 1906 (aged 83) Springfield, Illinois, U.S.
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| Resting place | Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield, Illinois, U.S. |
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| Spouse(s) | Mary A. King |
| Children | 5 |
Henry Brown (born April 17, 1823 – died September 3, 1906) was an important leader. He was a minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. He also fought to end slavery as an abolitionist. Brown was a key figure in the Underground Railroad.
Contents
Henry Brown's Early Life
Henry Brown was born into slavery on April 17, 1823. This happened on a large farm in Raleigh, North Carolina.
When he was 12 years old in 1835, Henry was separated from his family. He was moved to Ohio. In 1837, he became an indentured servant for a Quaker family in Indiana. This meant he worked for them for a set time. He worked on their farm. Around age 20, he gained his freedom. This was called manumission.
Henry taught himself to read and write. He learned a lot by reading books and the Bible.
Henry Brown's Career and Activism
In 1846, Henry Brown became a minister. He was part of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. He often preached in churches across the Midwest.
Around 1848, Brown moved to Springfield, Illinois. There, he became a strong leader of the Underground Railroad. This was a secret network that helped people escape slavery. He helped many people find freedom in Quincy and Springfield.
Brown also worked hard for the rights of African Americans. In 1853, he was a delegate at the Illinois Colored Convention. This meeting worked to change unfair laws against African Americans.
After the American Civil War ended, Brown often spoke at public events. He shared his memories of the war. He celebrated that slavery in the United States was over. In 1873, he was the main speaker at a celebration in Springfield. This event honored the Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. This amendment gave African American men the right to vote.
Henry Brown's Friendship with Abraham Lincoln
Around 1848, Henry Brown met Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln later became the President of the United States. Brown worked for Lincoln and his family for over 12 years. He was a handyman, shoemaker, and assistant. He worked for them until Lincoln moved to Washington, D.C. in 1861. Even after Lincoln became president, Brown remained a friend of the Lincoln family.
After Lincoln's death in 1865, Brown received a special message. The Lincoln family asked him to be part of Lincoln's funeral. This was in Springfield. Brown had an important job. He led Lincoln's favorite horse, "Old Bob," in the procession. The horse walked right behind the hearse. It was in front of the carriage carrying Robert Todd Lincoln, Abraham's son.
Henry Brown's Family Life
In 1847, Henry Brown married Mary A. King in Paris, Illinois. They had five children together. One of their sons, Thomas, became very important. He was one of the first African Americans allowed to practice law in Illinois.
Henry Brown's Passing
Henry Brown passed away in 1906. He was 83 years old. He is buried at Oak Ridge Cemetery. His grave is close to the Lincoln Tomb.
Henry Brown's Legacy
A Masonic lodge in Peoria, Illinois is named after him. It is called the "Henry Brown Lodge No 22."
People sometimes reenact the Lincoln funeral procession. In these reenactments, actors portray Henry Brown.
