Warren Brown, the son of Squire Elam Brown, was born
in Morgan County, Illinois, June 19, 1826. In 1846 Elam Brown led a wagon
train east to the Pacific Coast. Along the way Warren contracted typhoid
and nearly died. Warren's recovery was slow, but thanks to youth and
constitution inured to hardships, he at last was sufficiently restored to
health to permit traveling. After a short period of mining during the gold
rush Warren settled in Martinez and opened a general merchandise
establishment. On September 1, 1869, Warren Brown defeated L.M.
Brown in the general election, 798 to 587, for the two year office of
sheriff. He died May 14, 1889.
