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Subject: Re: [PALANCAS] Octoraro Farmers Club/John Comly Brosius M.D.
Date: Wed, 29 Sep 2004 11:18:31 EDT
John Comly Brosius M.D., son of Mahlon and Mary Kent Brosius, was born
December 7, 1827, in Londonderry Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania. He attended
a school in the neighborhood kept by John Broomall. His father was a potter
by trade as well as a farmer. Comly too attempted to learn the pottery business
but found himself not physically able for the work, for he had not outgrown
the delicate health of his childhood.
He then determined to study medicine, with the hope that the knowledge
would enable him to build up his own health. After the custom of the day he
enrolled as a student with Dr. Nathan Walton of Gum Tree, living with his
preceptor during the summer and studying for two winters at the Botanical Medical
College of Ohio, at Cincinnati. He graduated in 1850 at the head of his class
and made the valedictory address. Following graduation he went with Dr. Walton,
who desired to retire, and he presently took over the latter's practice.
We find that as Comly acquired the knowledge of medicine, he also
acquired success in love, for he won the hand of the Doctor's daughter. So it came
about that on April 12, 1855, he was united in marriage by Friend's ceremony,
with Margaret B. Walton.
They soon decided to give up the practice of medicine and go to
farming, and so they arranged to take charge of his father's farm on the Octoraro
Creek. Here they farmed one year, then in the spring of 1856 purchased from
Comly brother Clarkson the farm of 112 acres, known as Rural Glade, near
Cochranville.
In addition to his membership in the Octoraro Farmers Club, which he
joined in 1858, Comly was likewise an active and interested member of the
Grange, and for many years one of the managers of the Oxford Agricultural Fair. Of
course, he was intensely interested in the Temperance cause and contributed
actively through the Good Templar Lodge and other organizations toward its
advancement. Both he and his wife were birthright members of the Society of Friends
and had their membership in late years with the Pennsgrove Monthly Meeting,
of which he was for many years the Clerk. Dr. Brosius died April 21, 1888 and
was buried in Homeville Cemetery.
Dr. and Mrs. Brosius had four children, Lewis, Dora, Alva, and
Lillian. Alva Brosius was the inventor of the first successful implement for
dehorning cattle. He operated the farm after his father's death, taking over the
membership in the Club to his name. Alva died young, whereupon the membership
passed to his mother's name and then to the son in law, S. Walter Townsend, who
married the youngest daughter, Lillian.
Dr. J.C. Brosius 1888
Expression of the Sentiment of the Club on the death of our President, Dr.
J.C. Brosius;
It is pleasant and stimulating to review a life that was spent in constant
endeavor to do right in simple obedience to manifest duty.
Such was the life and character of our beloved member, J. Comly
Brosius, who was removed from amongst us by death on the 21st of 4th mo. 1888.
Although no one of those who organized the Club in 1856, he had
enjoyed the longest uninterrupted membership, having joined a few months after its
organization and labored therein for over thirty-one years, seldom missing a
meeting unless prevented by reason of physical inability.
As in every other position in life he maintained amongst us an even
genial disposition, always considerate of the rights and feeling of others, and
although he held decided opinions upon all important questions, was always
willing to grant the same to those differing from him.
Having very acceptably served the Club as its President for several of
the last years of his life, we recognize in his death the loss of an
efficient officer, as well as a wise counselor, a successful agriculturist, and
intelligent advocate of general farming interests and a kind and virtuous friend.
Knowing that these virtues that have been mainly instrumental in
establishing him in our high esteem are such as will make a man of true worth in
the family circle we feelingly extend to his bereaved family our heartfelt
sympathies for them in the deprivation of a kind and loving father and a true
devoted husband.
Under a picture of his home.......
This large brick farmhouse situated in West Fallowfield Township, Chester
County, Pennsylvania, a short distance south of Cochranville, was the home of Dr.
J. Comely and Margaret Brosious. Farmers Club meetings were held regularly in
this home over a period of more than seventy years. No other farm home has
opened its doors so often to welcome to Octoraro Farmers Club. Yvonne
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