William John Brown

Democrat Representative of Indiana's 5th district

Congresses Served

House Terms

August 15, 1805 (51 years old)

Birthday

March 18, 1857

Death

Moved from Kentucky to Ohio in 1808 and then to Indiana in 1821.
Admitted to the bar in 1826 and began practicing law in Rushville, Indiana.
Served in the Indiana House of Representatives from 1829 to 1832 and again from 1841 to 1843.
Worked as a prosecutor from 1831 to 1835.
Held the position of Secretary of State of Indiana from 1836 to 1840.
Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, serving from 1843 to 1845 and again from 1849 to 1851.
Appointed Second Assistant Postmaster General by President Polk, serving from 1845 to 1849.
Became chief editor of the Indianapolis Sentinel from 1850 to 1855.
Served multiple times as chairman of the Democratic State central committee of Indiana.
Appointed as special agent of the Post Office Department for Indiana and Illinois by President Pierce, serving from 1853 until his death in 1857.
Died near Indianapolis, Indiana, and was interred in Crown Hill Cemetery.