George A. Brown, Sr.

George's father, George Alexander Brown, was a professional barber. Initially he owned a barbershop that had ten (10) chairs for barbers. Later, after selling his barbershop he provided barbering services to businessmen on a local boat that transported them to and from work.

George personally witnessed the Great Baltimore Fire that started in February 7, 1904, when his Aunt took him downtown to see the horse drawn fire vehicles and other vehicles from across the state and Pennsylvania that rushed downtown to fight the fire. According to George, the fire lasted 3-4 days and resulted in 140 acres or 80 city blocks in the Baltimore business district being destroyed. During the fire there were buildings that needed to be blown up with dynamite to keep the fire from spreading further.

In 1908 George and his family moved to 1200 Argyle Avenue. Later, at the age of 16 he began working on cars. He realized that his family would not be able to send him to college, so he decided to work.

He met his future wife, Sarah, when he was introduced by his sister, Lucille.

George and Sarah met in 1912 and married at the St. Francis Church in 1915. They honeymooned in Philadelphia at the home of Sarah's sister, Hilah. In 1917 George decided to enlist in the army. At that time he was employed as a driver for the owner of a printing operation. As he was making a delivery in Washington, D.C. he got on an elevator to go from the first floor to the basement of the building. However, the elevator became "cockeyed" in the elevator shaft, and when George attempted to level the elevator by jumping in the elevator car. The force of his jump caused the car to fall through the shaft and resulted in George breaking an arm and a leg. Because of this accident he never made it into the army.

In 1934 George was employed by the United States Postal Service, and remained the that job for 31 years, retiring in 1965.

George and Sarah left the Argyle Avenue address and moved to 1317 Myrtle Avenue. They began having New Year's Eve parties every year, and continued that tradition even after moving to 3602 Chesholm Road.

Their 50th Wedding Anniversary was celebrated with family and friend in 1965 in the Elegante Room that was located on Forest Park Avenue in Baltimore, Maryland. While it was George and Sarah's 50th Anniversary, it was also the 25th Wedding Anniversary of Vernon and Dorothy (Brown) Press.

Born at 320 Pearl Street in Baltimore, Maryland. This was a Wednesday, and he was born at 12 Noon. He was raised in the parish of Saint Francis Xavier, and was an alter boy there for 19 years.

Juliette Marie Brown (1894 - 1959), his sister was born in Maryland

Lucille T. Brown (1896 - 1952), his sister was born in Baltimore, Maryland

Successfully passed Post Office Examination but turned down employment due to discriminatory   practices. He instead accepted employment as a chauffeur.

George A. Brown, Sr. became an active voter

George married Sarah Jane Smith at Saint Francis Church. The ceremony was officiated by Rev. N.P. Dennis

Clarice Elizabeth Brown (1915 - 2007), daughter, was born in Baltimore, Maryland 

Dorothy Mae Brown (1918 - 2012), daughter, was born. This was on a Monday. She was born at 9:20 am, and she weighed 7 pounds 8 ounces

George Alexander Brown (1850 - 1919), George's father died

Juliette Marie Brown (1920 - 2014), daughter, was born in Baltimore, Maryland. This was on a Saturday. She was born at 4:45 am, and she weighed 10 pounds

George Augustine Brown, Jr. (1923 - 1994), son, was born in Baltimore, Maryland. This was on a Wednesday. He was born at 8:00 am, and he weighed 8 pounds

Passed the Post Office Employment Examination for the second time. This time he accepted the job and remained employed until retirement after 34 years.

Harold "Cookie" Bernard Brown (1925 - 2004), son, was born in Baltimore, Maryland. This was on a Monday. He was born at 1:40 am, and he weighed 11 pounds 8 ounces

Hilah Theresa Brown (1927 - 2010), daughter, was born in Baltimore, Maryland. This was on a Tuesday. She was born at 5:10 am, and she weighed 8 pounds

Augustine Theresa Brown (1929 - 2018), daughter, was born in Baltimore, Maryland. This was on a Sunday. She was born at 9:10 pm, and she weighed 8 pounds

Estelle Mary Brown (1888 - 1931), sister, died

Thomas "Beaver" Elroy Brown (1932 - 2018), son, was born in Baltimore, Maryland. This was on a Sunday. He was born at 12:30 pm, and he weighed 10 pounds

Earl "Plump" Joseph Brown (1934 - 2016), son, was born in Baltimore, Maryland. This was a Tuesday. He was born at 5:45 am, and he weighed 10 pounds

Bette Ann Brown (1938 - ), daughter, was born in Baltimore, Maryland. This was a Thursday. She was born at 6:15 am, and she weighed 10 pounds

1939

According to Ancestry.com, when George A. Brown, Sr. was 46 years old and working as a letter carrier in Baltimore, Maryland. Many people worked in blue-collar industries, like farming or construction. 

George's education level was high school, 2nd year when he was working in 1940. Many Americans began working at a young age and never finished high school.

George Augustine Brown made $2,100 annually, working 40 hours a week. Most working Americans made $1,368 a year in 1940, which was $24,970 in 2020 dollars.

He owned his home at 1317 Myrtle Avenue. Part of his paycheck likely paid for the home he owned, valued at $3,000. About $1.15 of his paycheck also probably went to grocery staples like milk,  butter, and eggs.

Lucille T. Brown (1896 - 1952), sister, died

George retired from the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) after 34 years of service

Juliette Marie Brown (1894 - 1959), sister, died.. She resided in Barnstable County, Massachusetts

Sarah Jane Brown (1897 - 1985), wife, died.

95th Birthday Celebration

George Augustine Brown, Jr. (1923 - 1994), son, died in Baltimore, Maryland.

George Augustine Brown, Sr. died in Baltimore, Maryland