William M. Brown (Pennsylvania politician)

William M. Brown (September 20, 1850 – January 31, 1915) was a Republican political official from Pennsylvania.^[1][2]

William Brown
Member-elect of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 24th district
In office November 3, 1914 – January 31, 1915[a]
Preceded by	Henry Temple
Succeeded by	Henry Temple
8th Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania
In office January 20, 1903 – January 15, 1907
Governor	Samuel W. Pennypacker
Preceded by	John P. S. Gobin
Succeeded by	Robert S. Murphy
Member of the Pennsylvania Senate from the 47th district
In office January 5, 1897 – April 20, 1899
Preceded by	James Fruit
Succeeded by	James Emery
Personal details
Born	(1850-09-20)September 20, 1850 Greenville, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died	January 31, 1915(1915-01-31) (aged 64) New York City, New York, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Signature
a.^ Brown died before he could be sworn in and seated, though the election results were certified by the House.

Background

Brown was born in Greenville, Pennsylvania but grew up in Iowa, where his family purchased a farm following the death of his father. In 1869, he moved to New Castle, Pennsylvania and found employment as a bookkeeper for First National Bank. He was admitted to the bar as an attorney in 1876. In 1883, Brown took a job negotiating homesteading contracts for the federal government, which required him to return for two years to Iowa. He moved back to New Castle in 1885, where he opened a department store and helped to finance the city's streetcar line. Brown was soon elected as a Republican to city council.

In 1896, Brown was elected to the Pennsylvania State Senate, serving one term from 1897 to 1899. In 1902, he was elected lieutenant governor, alongside gubernatorial candidate Samuel Pennypacker, and served from 1903 until 1907.

At the end of his term in Harrisburg, Brown returned to New Castle and invested in banking and railroad interests. In 1914 he was elected to the United States House of Representatives, but died from pneumonia in New York City on January 31, 1915, before he was able to take office.^[3]

See also

• List of members-elect of the United States House of Representatives who never took their seats