Brown was born January 10, 1887, at Cardington, Morrow County, Ohio,[1] son of William Henry Brown and Ella Dell (Monroe) Brown.[2] He was married November 10, 1915, to Marie Thrailkill.[1][2]
During World War I, Brown joined the United States Army and was Captain of Quartermaster Corps from July 13, 1917, and from October 11, 1918, until his discharge was Captain, Judge Advocate General's Corps at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.[1]
In 1920, Brown was post Commander of American Legion in Columbus, Ohio. He was elected Ohio Secretary of State in 1922 and 1924, serving 1923–1927.[1]
Brown was an unsuccessful candidate in the Republican primary for Ohio Governor in 1926, a delegate to the 1928 Republican National Convention, and a Presidential elector in 1928.[2]
March 28, 1932, Brown was appointed to the Federal Radio Commission, and served until being appointed to the successor agency. On July 11, 1934, he was appointed a Commissioner to the newly formed Federal Communications Commission and served until June 30, 1940.[3]
Brown died in Cleveland, Ohio, February 25, 1941, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.[1] He was a Presbyterian, Mason, Phi Kappa Psi, Phi Delta Phi, and Shriner.[2]
