G. A. Brown

G. A. Brown (1849 – 1915) was a native of Washington County, Texas. After graduating from public school, he studied law in the office of former Texas governor James W. Throckmorton (1825-1894), and was admitted to the bar in Sherman, Texas in 1873, where he continued practicing law with Gov. Throckmorton. He moved to Donley County, Texas in 1882, where he was appointed county judge. After serving two terms, he resigned to devote his time to private law practice. In 1889, he was elected judge of the Texas 44th Judicial District. He was re-elected three times, remaining in office until 1903.[1]

The State of Texas had created Greer County in 1860, and thereafter claimed jurisdiction over it, but this issue had been argued in the United States courts at several levels and for many years. By 1896, the issue had already been litigated again. At last, the Supreme Court rejected Texas' claims. The U.S. Congress quickly passed legislation that declared the land as under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government and attached it to the Territory of Oklahoma, effective May 4, 1896.[2]

A local legend claimed that Judge Brown was trying an important case that morning when he was interrupted by a messenger who brought him the news that had just arrived on the telegraph. Judge Brown immediately adjourned the court and announced that he no longer had jurisdiction over the case.[2]

Many settlers in the county were concerned about the status of their claims over land they had bought while it was still part of Texas. They asked Brown to go to Washington to secure their claims. He agreed, and after meeting with President Cleveland and Attorney General Harmon, who concurred. Congress quickly passed the necessary legislation to secure these prior claims.[2]

Brown moved in 1903 to the town of Magnum in Greer County, Oklahoma Territory.

After Oklahoma became a state on November 16, 1907, Brown was elected Judge of the Oklahoma 18th Judicial District. He was reelected to that position in November, 1910. In the election of November 1914, Brown was elected to the Supreme Court of Oklahoma, filling the unexpired term of Judge Jesse Dunn, who had died during his term. Judge Brown himself died while in office on October 15, 1915.[1]