Submitted by: James Bright Chester County Historia
Doctor Blackburn Homer Brown was born in Maury County, Tennessee on Nov. 23, 1828, to David and Clarissa Anthony Brown. Both were natives of South Carolina. His parents moved the family to Henderson County around 1833. Blackburn was educated in the common schools there, and at age 18, he began his study of medicine at the University of Louisville in Kentucky. After graduating in 1850, he began his practice at Pleasant Exchange and then at Red Mound in Henderson County.
When the Civil War started, he organized a company of sharpshooters and was made Captain. This group became Company K of the 27th Tennessee Infantry Regiment, Woods Brigade, Hardee’s Corps, and he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. On April 6, 1862, at Shiloah his regiment was charging a Union batter of artillery when Colonel Williams was killed, and then shortly thereafter, Lieutenant Colonel Brown was borne from the field with a shot that badly fractured his leg. After the battle he was promoted to the rank of Colonel for his gallantry. His wound was so severe he was discharged from the service and had to wear a built-up shoe for the rest of his life. After the war, Dr. Brown located his practice in Mifflin, Tennessee, where his usual energy and success he became one of the leading practitioners of the county. He was a life-long Democrat and active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. In 1851, Dr. Brown married Miss Elizabeth Taylor, daughter of Thomas and Francis Lewis Taylor. They had six children with four reaching adulthood and two becoming doctors like their father.
Elizabeth died in 1874, and Dr. Brown married Mrs. Sarah Hudson Cooper, who died in 1883. Dr. Brown passed on Nov. 28, 1887—just five days after his 59th birthday. He is currently buried in the Old Mifflin Cemetery with his two wives.
