CHARLES E. AND MARGARET McLEAN BROWN

From 'Fanning the Embers', published 1971, Range Rider Reps, Miles City, Montana

By Bruce Brown

Charles E. Brown, long time president of the Midland Coal and Lumber company, was born in Sheldon, Iowa, Nov. 28, 1886. As a young boy he worked for a short time for the Chicago-Northwestern Railroad. He had two brothers working for a lumber company in Glendive, Mont., and visited them in 1906 when he was 20. The owner of the lumber company was E. B. Clark and Mr. Brown went to work for him buying hides in 1906. A short time later he moved to Miles City and began work with the Midland Coal and Lumber company, which was formed in 1901. He later became president of the Midland and made the lumber business his lifetime work until his death June 10, 1948, at which time he was still actively engaged in the lumber business for the Midland. Margaret McLean was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth McLean, who were pioneer livestock people in this area. She was born June 5, 1887, in Miles City and her parents had a ranch on 0'Fallon Creek where she spent her childhood. Charles and Margaret met in 1907 when Margaret returned from school, and they were married June 16, 1909. They had five children, Jean Gantenbein, Catherine Moore and Kenneth, Clark and Bruce Brown. Margaret died Jan. 26, 1970, and at the time of her death was survived not only by her five children but also by 16 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Many of their descendents still reside in Montana.