Frank M. Brownson, born on April 28, 1869, in North Dakota, was a progressive farmer in Yankton County. His parents, Almon C. and Hannah J. (Judd) Brownson, moved from New York to South Dakota in 1864, settling near Mechling before claiming 160 acres in Yankton County. Frank took over the family farm at fifteen and managed it for over a decade. On June 30, 1891, he married Maggie Seddon, and they had four children: Ethel, Edgar, Dorothy, and Roy. Active in the Methodist Episcopal Church and the Modern Woodmen of America, Frank was a well-respected Republican in his community.
Frank M. Brownson.— The enterprising spirit which has been the dominant factor in the wonderful development of the west is manifested in the life record of Mr. Brownson, who is a most energetic and progressive young farmer of Yankton county. He was born in North Dakota, April 28, 1869, his parents being Almon C. and Hannah J. (Judd) Brownson, the former a native of Connecticut and the latter of the Empire state. They lived in New York for thirty years and the father there engaged in farming. In 1864 he came to the west, settling in South Dakota. He traveled across the country from Iowa and on reaching his destination purchased a farm near Mechling, this state. After a year, however, he came to Yankton county and secured a claim of one hundred and sixty acres of government land, upon which not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made. Indians still visited the neighborhood and pioneer conditions existed on every hand, but with resolute purpose Mr. Brownson began the development of his farm and the establishment of his home on this western district. He improved his place and has since lived upon it, making it a very attractive and desirable farm. His political support is given to the Republican party, of which he has ever been an earnest advocate. His wife passed away in November, 1895, in the faith of the Methodist church, of which she was long a devoted member. In their family were eight children: Frederick E., Daniel E., Carrie, Mary, Herbert, Martha J., George and Frank. They also lost one child that died in infancy.
The members of the household were provided with good educational privileges, which Frank M. Brownson enjoyed and whereby he became fitted for life’s practical and responsible duties. At the age of fifteen years he took charge of the home farm and during the past eleven years he has rented this place, carrying on agricultural pursuits.
On the 30th of June, 1891, Mr. Brownson was united in marriage to Miss Maggie Seddon, a daughter of Henry and Agnes (Weir) Seddon, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, whence they came to South Dakota in 1882, the father purchasing the farm near Yankton. He became well known as a successful agriculturist and his death, which occurred in March, 1894, was deeply deplored by many friends. His wife has since become the wife of Rev. J. L. Grey and now lives upon the old homestead. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Brownson have been born four children: Ethel, eleven years of age; Edgar, seven years of age; Dorothy, a little maiden of four years; and Roy, who completes the family at the age of two years. The parents hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Brownson is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, while in political faith he is a Republican. Having spent all of his life in this county, he is well known and the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those with whom he has been acquainted from his boyhood days is an indication that his has been an honorable and upright career.
Source: Robinson, Doane, History of South Dakota: together with mention of Citizens of South Dakota, [Logansport? IN] : B. F. Bowen, 1904.