Baraboo News Republic November 12, 1879

Died at his residence in Baraboo, Thursday, Oct. 30, after an illness of four weeks duration, Bela E. Brown, aged 44 years, and 14 days.
Mr. Brown was born at Conkline, Brown Co., N.Y., but came to Wisconsin while quite young and located at Baraboo, while the place was yet in its infancy. He may therefore be called one of the oldest inhabitants of this place. During the past seventeen or eighteen years Mr. Brown has been in the employ of the Island Woolen Co., of this place, in whose mill, previous to his illness, he held a responsible position as overseer of the carding department, a position to which he attained by being punctual, faithful and industrious, giving his whole attention to the interests of his employers, in return for which he possessed their unlimited confidence and respect. 
Mr. Brown seldom took an active part in affairs of a public or social nature outside of his own immediate neighborhood, but seemed contented while fulfilling his duties at the factory, and contributing to the comfort of his family and friends. He was a good neighbor, a kind husband, and an indulgent father. On his death bed he gave his sorrowing wife the assurance that he was prepared for the great change, an calmly admonished her to live that they would be reunited in Heaven. His last intelligible words were: “Home, Home’ Sweet Home, I am going Home!” He leaves a wife and seven children, the oldest with teen years, and the youngest four months. His father and mother reside at Oshkosh, Wis.
His burial was conducted by the Masonic Fraternity, with their customary impressive ceremonies, and was witnessed by a large concourse of sorrowing friends and neighbors.
Contributed by Jill Fyall Livesey