JOHN BROWN -- Prominent among the developers of Fresno County, and foremost in the rank of development about Madera, stands the subject of this sketch, who was born in Warren County, Illinois, in 1860.  His education was acquired at Abingdon (Illinois) College, and at the Oskaloosa College in Iowa.  In 1883 Mr. Brown was married at Oskaloosa, to Miss Emma Edwards, an estimable lady of that city.  Mr.. Brown then began teaching, which he followed for two years in Iowa, Illinois and Nebraska, and in 1885 came to California and settled at Elsinore, San Diego County, where he followed teaching for three years.  During the last year Mr. Brown's mind was greatly occupied with a colonization scheme, through the working of which he could develop a given acreage, sell it out on small holdings, and thus bring into the State agricultural communities, which are recognized as the life blood of every prosperous locality.  The better to carry out his scheme, Mr. Brown came to the great San Joaquin valley in the fall of 1889, and settled at Madera.  Mr. Brown was one of the incorporators of the Bank of Madera, which opened its doors for business  November 25, 1889, and was elected cashier; but the duties of the office are mainly conducted by W. F. Baird, the vice-president, as Mr. Brown's time was given to the location and colonization of adjoining lands, under the name of John Brown colony, which was incorporated at about that time, with Mr. Brown president and manager, J.E. Newman, secretary, and W.F. Baird, treasurer.  The working system is that the company shall manage and care for the land as one ranch--lands to be subdivided into blocks of five acres and upwards, and sold to purchasers who pay a small price per acre for planting and care of land for a term of three years, and the fruits off the land to pay the price of purchase.  Under this plan, the company have bought and are improving 4,980 acres, a large portion of which is already sold to colonists, and through the workings of this colossal scheme, Madera has felt a great impetus in her growth, and a large increase in her population.  The John Brown colony have also placed upon the marked 10,000 acres in Antelope valley, situated in the northern part of Los Angeles County.  This valley, being at an elevation of 2,300 feet, is better adapted to the deciduous fruits, but the colonization is being carried out on a similar plan.  To the successful carrying out of this stupendous enterprise Mr. Brown is devoting all his attention, and to him is justly due the credit for much of Madera's present growth and prosperity.