Career
Born in 1830 in Norway, Brown immigrated to the United States and was living in New York when he joined the United States. Navy. He served during the Civil War as a captain of the top on the United States Ship Richmond. At the Battle of Mobile Bay on August 5, 1864, he was "ool and courageous" despite heavy fire.
On board the United States.S. Richmond in action at Mobile Bay on 5 August 1864.
Cool and courageous at his station throughout the prolonged action, Brown rendered gallant service as his vessel trained her guns on Fort Morgan and on ships of the Confederacy despite extremely heavy return fire. He participated in the actions at Forts Jackson and Saint Philip, with the Chalmette batteries, at the surrender of New Orleans and in the attacks on batteries below Vicksburg.