Walter Williams Brown Biography
From the Book: "The Gleichen Call. A History of Gleichen and Surrounding Areas, 1877 to
1968"
Page: 67
Link to Book
WALTER WILLIAMS BROWN, by Vivian (Brown) Graham
"Brownie" or "W. W." as he was called, started his career as a teacher in Brownsville, Ont., but left that, and
arrived in Calgary in 1888. He was taken on as a "hand" by Angus Sparrow and finally became foreman at
Mr. Sparrow's Hippo Ranch (where Carseland now stands). Eventually he took out a homestead known as
"Heap See" southwest of Strathmore. Later he bought the Hippo ranch. In 1906 Miss Minnie
Agnes McCormack came to Gleichen form Pelee Island, Ont. She worked in James' store and stayed with Mr.
and Mrs. Kippy James. She and Brownie were married and lived on the Hippo ranch. When family
came along they moved to Gleichen in 1915 for school and for the children. They built a home next to
the Union Church. In 1916 Brownie bought a ranch on the Red Deer River at Hutton, which he kept for
many years. During this time he owned the Gleichen Transfer and Coal Sales, besides serving as bailiff for
the Calgary Sherriff.
He took a lively interest in all life around him and was known for his wit and love of fun and his
willingness to lend a helping hand. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Old Timers'
Association. Both he and Mrs. Brown belonged to the Eastern Star. Politically, he was
dubbed "the staunchest Liberal in Bow Valley", and turned down a move to appointment to the Senate.
Mrs. Brown was a College graduate and an accomplished musician, playing the mandolin, the piano,and was a singer,
until in later years she became quite deaf. She was also interested in politics and was an
enthusiastic Liberal campaigner, very often entertaining the speakers and delegates. Brownie died in
1947 and Mrs. Brown predeceased him in 1939.
There were four children in their family. Vivian (Mrs. Graham) now teaching in Calgary has
3 daughters; Beverly McMann (Salinger); Georgina McMann (Lypchuk) and Sheryl Sammons. Georgina
lives in Ontario and is Mrs. Kennedy. Arthur, who married Ann Stewart, has 2 sons and one
daughter, Stewart, Marlene and Ronald. Arthur is a fireman at Trail, B.C. He served
during World War II with the 44 Provost Corps in Calgary. Laurie has resided most of his time in
Gleichen. When young he was a very active member of the Tuxis Boys group under the leadership of
Audrey Young. He also took music lessons and played at several recitals. He served with the
Canadian Armed Forces in World War II, and was later employed with the town foreman for years, and it has been
said that if all the town's water records were lost, Laurie would know where to find any of the water mains.