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Fred H. Brown

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Fred H. Brown
2ndComptroller General of the United States
In office
April 11, 1939 – June 19, 1940
PresidentFranklin D. Roosevelt
Preceded byJohn R. McCarl
Succeeded byLindsay Carter Warren
United States Senator
fromNew Hampshire
In office
March 4, 1933 – January 3, 1939
Preceded byGeorge H. Moses
Succeeded byCharles W. Tobey
59thGovernor of New Hampshire
In office
January 4, 1923 – January 1, 1925
Preceded byAlbert O. Brown
Succeeded byJohn G. Winant
Personal details
Born(1879-04-12)April 12, 1879
Ossipee, New Hampshire,U.S.
DiedFebruary 3, 1955(1955-02-03)(aged 75)
Somersworth, New Hampshire,U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Alma materDartmouth College
Boston University School of Law
Baseball career
Outfielder
Batted:Right
Threw:Right
MLB debut
May 4, 1901, for the Boston Beaneaters
Last MLB appearance
April 18, 1902, for the Boston Beaneaters
MLB statistics
Batting average.200
Runs batted in2
Teams

Fred Herbert Brown(April 12, 1879 – February 3, 1955) was an American lawyer, baseball player, and politician fromNew Hampshire.A member of theDemocratic Party,Brown was the 59thgovernor of New Hampshireand aUnited States Senator.

Brown attendedDartmouth Collegeand played for theBoston BeaneatersofMajor League Baseball’sNational Leaguein 1901 and 1902. He earned a law degree atBoston Universityand went into legal practice after he retired from baseball. Brown was electedmayorofSomersworth, New Hampshire,and appointedUnited States Attorneyfor theDistrict of New Hampshire.

Brown was elected Governor in 1922, but was defeated for reelection in 1924. After serving on thePublic Service Commission,he was elected to the Senate in 1932. He lost his reelection bid in 1938, and served asComptroller General of the United Statesfrom 1939 to 1940, when he resigned due to poor health.

Early life

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Brown was born on April 12, 1879, to Dana and Nellie Brown inOssipee, New Hampshire.[1]He was an only child.[2]Brown attendedDow Academy,and graduated in 1897.[3]He playedsemi-professionalbaseball inSomersworth, New Hampshire,before he enrolled atDartmouth College.He joined the Pi chapter ofDelta Kappa Epsilonand playedcollege baseballfor theDartmouth Big Greenteam as acatcher.[1]

Professional baseball career

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Fred Brown with the Boston Beaneaters

Frank Seleeof theBoston Beaneaters,who played in theNational LeagueofMajor League Baseball,signed Brown before the 1901 season.[4]Brown made his major league debut on May 4, 1901, as aright fielder.He played in seven games for the Beaneaters in 1901, before he was demoted to theProvidence Graysof theClass AEastern League.[5]He played in two games for the Beaneaters in 1902, and spent the majority of the 1902 season with Providence. He played nine games for the Beaneaters over the course of those two seasons, seven in theoutfield,batting.200 (4-for-20) and not making anerrorin 10chancesin the field.[2]

In 1903, Browncoachedthe Dartmouth Big Green,[6]and played for Providence and theJersey City Skeeters,also of the Eastern League. He played for theHaverhill Hustlersof theClass BNew England Leaguein 1904,[2]and returned to Haverhill in 1905 and 1906.[7]Brown suffered frompneumoniaearly in 1906, and was not at full strength even after he recovered. Haverhill released him during the season.[8][9]Brown played baseball as asemi-professionalin Somersworth in 1907.[10]

Political career

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During his baseball career, Brown attended theBoston University School of Lawin 1904 and 1905, earning a law degree.[1][2]He moved to Somersworth in August 1906 to work in law for James A. Edgerly. He entered into a partnership with Edgerly,[1]passed thebar examinationin June 1907,[3]and took over the practice after Edgerly's death. He served as city solicitor for Somersworth from 1908 to 1914.[1]He was apresidential electorin the1912 election[11]and was electedmayorof Somersworth in March 1914.[12]PresidentWoodrow Wilsonnominated Brown to be theUnited States Attorneyfor theDistrict of New Hampshirein June 1914,[13]and reappointed him in July 1918. Brown resigned in April 1922.[1]

Brown as senator

Governor of New Hampshire 1923-1925

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Brown entered the1922 electionforGovernor of New Hampshire.He faced two candidates in theDemocratic Partyprimary election,[14]and won.[15]He defeatedRepublicanWindsor H. Goodnow in the general election.[16]As governor, he cut spending below the levels estimated by theNew Hampshire Legislatureand advocated for tax cuts. Brown was entered into nomination at the1924 Democratic National Convention.[17][18]He ran for reelection as governor in1924,and he was renominated without opposition.[19]He lost the general election to RepublicanJohn Gilbert Winant,while RepublicanCalvin Coolidgecarried the state in the1924 presidential election.[20]After Winant took office in 1925, he nominated Brown for a six-year term on theNew Hampshire Public Service Commission.[21]He succeeded Thomas Worthen on the commission on June 1, 1925.[22]

Senator from New Hampshire 1933-1939

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In January 1932, Democrats fromStrafford Countybegan to recruit Brown to enter the1932 electionfor theUnited States Senate.[23]He ran, facing two candidates in the Democratic primary election,[24]and won.[25]Brown defeated Republican incumbentGeorge H. Mosesin the general election, with the assistance ofFranklin D. Roosevelt's landslide victory in the1932 presidential election.[26][27]In the Senate, Brown supported Roosevelt'sNew Deal,[28]served on thejoint committeethat investigated theTennessee Valley Authority,voted to confirmHugo Blackto theSupreme Court of the United States[29]and chaired theSenate Commerce Committee'sSubcommittee on Communications.[30]Brown was not opposed when he ran for renomination in the1938 election,[31]but he lost in the general election to RepublicanCharles W. Tobey.[32]

Comptroller General of the United States

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Roosevelt appointed Brown to a 15-year term asComptroller General of the United Statesin March 1939,[33]and his nomination was approved in April.[34][35]As comptroller general, he supported the decision to use marble from Vermont in the construction of theJefferson Memorial[36]and ruled that states could not collect taxes from the federal government.[37]He also approved an $11 million contract ($240,947,368 in current dollar terms) for cement to use in the construction of theShasta Dam.[38]

Brown suffered a stroke in December 1939,[39]and resigned as Comptroller General due to poor health in June 1940.[40]The next month, Roosevelt nominated Brown to theUnited States Tariff Commission,[41]and he was confirmed on August 1.[42]He resigned the position in 1941.[2]Brown remained in New Hampshire, where he met with PresidentHarry S. Trumanduring his tour through New Hampshire during the1952 presidential election.[43]

Personal life

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Brown married Edna McHarg, who worked as a secretary in theNew Hampshire State House,in May 1925. They did not have children.[2]

Brown died fromcardiac arrestin his home in Somersworth on February 3, 1955.[2][44]

See also

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References

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  1. ^abcdefBenedict, W.H.W. (November 12, 1922)."Granite State Governor-Elect Sure of a Hit in Any Big Democratic Batting Rally".The Boston Globe.p. 6.RetrievedMarch 13,2021– via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^abcdefgLamb, Bill."Fred Brown".Society for American Baseball Research.RetrievedFebruary 15,2020.
  3. ^ab"Franconia".Groton Times.November 17, 1922. p. 7.RetrievedMarch 13,2021– via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^"Baseball Notes".Democrat and Chronicle.February 4, 1901. p. 11.RetrievedMarch 13,2021– via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^"Chat About Sports".The Portsmouth Herald.July 10, 1901. p. 1.RetrievedMarch 13,2021– via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^"On The Diamond".The Portsmouth Herald.April 17, 1903. p. 4.RetrievedMarch 13,2021– via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^"On The Diamond".The Portsmouth Herald.May 17, 1906. p. 3.RetrievedMarch 13,2021– via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^"On The Diamond".The Portsmouth Herald.May 29, 1906. p. 1.RetrievedMarch 13,2021– via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^"N.E. League Notes".Fall River Globe.June 6, 1906. p. 9.RetrievedMarch 13,2021– via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^"News For Sportslovers".The Portsmouth Herald.June 14, 1907. p. 1.RetrievedMarch 13,2021– via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^"Governor and Council Announce Democratic Electors Have Been Chosen in New Hampshire".The Boston Globe.November 22, 1912. p. 8.RetrievedMarch 13,2021– via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^"Old Ball Player Is Elected Mayor".Norwich Bulletin.March 11, 1914. p. 1.RetrievedMarch 13,2021– via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^"United States Attorney".The Boston Globe.June 20, 1914. p. 9.RetrievedMarch 13,2021– via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^"Five Ask To Be Named For New Hampshire's Governor".The Boston Globe.September 3, 1922. p. 53.RetrievedMarch 13,2021– via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^"Goodnow Far Ahead: Nominated for Governor by New Hampshire Republicans".The New York Times.September 7, 1922. p. 19.RetrievedMarch 13,2021– via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^"Biggest Flop In N.H. Since 1856".The Portsmouth Herald.November 9, 1922. p. 1.RetrievedMarch 13,2021– via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^"New Hampshire Booms Governor Fred H. Brown".The Baltimore Sun.June 24, 1924. p. 4.RetrievedMarch 14,2021– via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^"Who's Who In The Day's News: Gov. Fred H. Brown".Palladium-Item.July 5, 1924. p. 6.RetrievedMarch 13,2021– via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^"Capt. Winant Wins in Charlestown".Springfield Reporter.September 4, 1924. p. 1.RetrievedMarch 13,2021– via Newspapers.com.
  20. ^"New Hampshire Goes Republican".The Boston Globe.November 5, 1924. p. 19.RetrievedMarch 13,2021– via Newspapers.com.
  21. ^"Ex-Gov. Brown Made Member of Board".The Portsmouth Herald.March 13, 1925. p. 1.RetrievedMarch 13,2021– via Newspapers.com.
  22. ^"Ex-Governor In New Office".The Portsmouth Herald.June 2, 1925. p. 6.RetrievedMarch 13,2021– via Newspapers.com.
  23. ^"Ex-Democratic Governor Boomed For U.S. Senate".The Journal.Associated Press. January 19, 1932. p. 2.RetrievedMarch 13,2021– via Newspapers.com.
  24. ^"Political Spotlight of Week Focused on State Primaries".The Times Dispatch.September 11, 1932. p. 15.RetrievedMarch 13,2021– via Newspapers.com.
  25. ^"Davidson is Defeated By Chas. W. Tobey".The Caledonian-Record.Associated Press. September 14, 1932. p. 1.RetrievedMarch 13,2021– via Newspapers.com.
  26. ^"Brown Tops Moses in New Hampshire".The Boston Globe.Associated Press. November 9, 1932. p. 9.RetrievedMarch 13,2021– via Newspapers.com.
  27. ^"Moses' Successor, Ball Player, Will Continue Game With Public".Intelligencer Journal.United Press. November 15, 1932. p. 10.RetrievedMarch 13,2021– via Newspapers.com.
  28. ^Dery, J. Leo (November 4, 1938)."Lack Of Republican Harmony Encourages Democrats In Close New Hampshire Fight".Telegraph-Forum.Central Press. p. 2.RetrievedMarch 14,2021– via Newspapers.com.
  29. ^Hennessy, M.E. (April 11, 1938)."Brown, Bridges May Clash Due to T.V.A. Inquiry Report".The Boston Globe.p. 18.RetrievedMarch 14,2021– via Newspapers.com.
  30. ^"Brown Made Chairman Of Committee".The Portsmouth Herald.February 16, 1935. p. 6.RetrievedMarch 14,2021– via Newspapers.com.
  31. ^"No Opponent Seen For Sen. Brown".The North Adams Transcript.Associated Press. July 29, 1938. p. 1.RetrievedMarch 14,2021– via Newspapers.com.
  32. ^"Tobey Beat Brown In New Hampshire".The Barre Daily Times.November 9, 1938. p. 1.RetrievedMarch 13,2021– via Newspapers.com.
  33. ^"F.H. Brown Named New Controller".The Indianapolis News.March 30, 1939. p. 1.RetrievedMarch 13,2021– via Newspapers.com.
  34. ^Rouillard, Theodore; Sweet, Benjamin (April 7, 1939)."With New Hampshire In Washington".Groton Times.p. 2.RetrievedMarch 13,2021– via Newspapers.com.
  35. ^Rouillard, Theodore; Sweet, Benjamin (April 14, 1939)."With New Hampshire In Washington".Groton Times.p. 2.RetrievedMarch 13,2021– via Newspapers.com.
  36. ^"Comptroller General Fred H. Brown Will Not Override Commissions' Choice".The Barre Daily Times.Associated Press. May 6, 1939. p. 4.RetrievedMarch 13,2021– via Newspapers.com.
  37. ^"U.S. To Escape State Sale Tax".The San Francisco Examiner.May 13, 1939. p. 3.RetrievedMarch 13,2021– via Newspapers.com.
  38. ^"Shasta Cement Contract Okehed".Oroville Mercury Register.June 9, 1939. p. 2.RetrievedMarch 17,2021– via Newspapers.com.
  39. ^"U.S. Comptroller General Collapses".The Knoxville Journal.Associated Press. December 14, 1939. p. 6.RetrievedMarch 13,2021– via Newspapers.com.
  40. ^"U.S. Comptroller Resigns His Post".The Akron Beacon Journal.Associated Press. June 20, 1940. p. 30.RetrievedMarch 13,2021– via Newspapers.com.
  41. ^"Fred H. Brown Named To Tariff Commission".The Philadelphia Inquirer.United Press. July 2, 1940. p. 8.RetrievedMarch 13,2021– via Newspapers.com.
  42. ^"Warren Confirmed".Stevens Point Journal.Associated Press. August 1, 1940. p. 10.RetrievedMarch 13,2021– via Newspapers.com.
  43. ^"Rally for Truman Planned Here on President's Visit".The Portsmouth Herald.October 14, 1952. p. 1.RetrievedMarch 13,2021– via Newspapers.com.
  44. ^"Ex-N.H. Governor Fred H. Brown Dies".The Portsmouth Herald.February 4, 1955. p. 1.RetrievedMarch 13,2021– via Newspapers.com.
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Wikimedia Commons has media related toFred H. Brown.
Legal offices
Preceded by 29thUnited States Attorneyfor theDistrict of New Hampshire
1914–1922 		Succeeded by
Raymond V. Smith
Party political offices
Preceded by
Charles E. Tilton
 Democraticnominee forGovernor of New Hampshire
1922,1924 		Succeeded by
Eaton D. Sargent
Preceded by
Robert C. Murchie
 Democraticnominee for
U.S. SenatorfromNew Hampshire(Class 3)
1932,1938 		Succeeded by
Joseph J. Betley
Political offices
Preceded by Governor of New Hampshire
1923–1925 		Succeeded by
U.S. Senate
Preceded by United States Senator (Class 3) from New Hampshire
1933–1939 		Succeeded by
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