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Owen Brown (February 16th, 1771 – May 8th, 1856),  father of Abolitionist John Brown, was himself a noted abolitionist and civil servant. Brown was a founder of multiple institutions including the Western Reserve Anti-Slavery Society, Western Reserve College (now Case Western Reserve University), and the Free Congressional Church. Brown gave speeches advocating the immediate cessation of slavery and facilitated the Underground Railroad.

Early life and education
One of 10 children, Owen Brown was born on February 16th, 1771 to Revolutionary War Lieutenant John Brown and Hanna Owen Brown in Torrington Connecticut. A lifetime admirer of the founding fathers, Owen's first memory was of the departure of his father's militia company to engage the British in New York during the summer of 1776.

Life in Hudson and the Abolitionist Movement
A wealthy tanner, cattle breeder and land speculator, Brown was a dedicated civil servant and was integral to Hudson, Ohio's growth and success. Famed for his resourcefulness and energy, he was known locally as Squire Brown. Brown served in a multitude of positions in the community including County Commissioner and Justice of the Peace. Owen was deeply rooted in the abolitionist movement. He was personal friends with leaders such as Frederick Douglass who often stayed with the Brown family when he was lecturing in the area. . Owen, in collaboration with David Hudson was integral in establishing one of the earliest way stations along the Underground Railroad and personally arranged passage into Canada for many escaped slaves.

Colleges
Owen was a founding trustee of Western Reserve College (now Case Western Reserve University) and is credited for securing its location in Hudson as well as overseeing the construction of its first building. During Brown tenure (1825-1835), Western Reserve College became known as a hotbed of abolitionist ideals. After the death of the institutions first president, Charles Backus Storrs, in 1833 the university elected a more conservative president, George E. Pierce. As the university shifted focus away from civil rights and towards the sciences Brown, as well as many faculty members and students, left the institution for Oberlin Collegiate Institution (now Oberlin College). In 1835 Brown became a Trustee of the college where he served until 1844. Owen's own Daughter, Florilla Brown, graduated from Oberlin in 1839.