Peter Johnson Brown (P. J.) Obituary

MR. P. J. BROWN DEAD
The Well-known Osgoode Hall Official Passes Away After a Lingering Illness - Sketch of His Career

There passed away on Saturday last after a lingering illness, at his residence, 80 St. Patrick street, a well-known and highly-esteemed member of the legal profession in the person of Mr. P. J. Brown.   He was clerk of the Queen's Bench Division of the High Court of Justice at Osgoode Hall, and had for a number of years been Clerk of the non-jury Assinee; he was, in addition, an exceedingly well-known man in the city and Province, and his demise will be regretted by a very large circle of friends.

Mr. Brown was in his 56th year, and was at one time a prominent figure in Ontario politics.   He was called to the bar in 1863 and settled in Ingersoll, becoming the senior partner of the legal firm of Brown and Wells.   He took from the first an active part in public life, entering the Ingersoll Town Council and becoming Mayor of the town and playing an important part in both Provincial and Dominion politics in the riding.   Afer practising law for seventeen or eighteen years his health gave out and he went to the Nortwest, engaging in business there as a contractor.   He was there for several years, among the important works which he carried through being the construction of the C. P. R. telegraph line from Port Arthur to Winnipeg.   About the year 1885 he came back to Ontario, settling in Toronto.   He entered life insurance, becoming an agent of the Equitable Life Insurance Company with which he remained until the autumn of 1890, when he was appointed to the position he occupied until his death.

Mr. Brown was an exceedingly popular man, and had hosts of friends.   He was a prominent Mason, belonging to Ionic Lodge.   His death was due to Bright's disease, his illness having been a lingering one.   The funeral will be private.