An Illustrated Congressional Manual. The United States Red Book, 1896, (detail), Collection of U.S. House of Representative

BROWN, Foster Vincent, (father of Joseph Edgar Brown), a Representative from Tennessee; born near Sparta, White County, Tenn., December 24, 1852; attended the common schools; was graduated from Burritt College, Spencer, Van Buren County, Tenn., in 1871 and from the law department of Cumberland University, Lebanon, Tenn., in 1873; was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Jasper, Tenn., in 1874; delegate to the Republican National Conventions in 1884, 1896, 1900, and 1916; attorney general of the fourth judicial district 1886-1894; moved to Chattanooga, Tenn., in May 1890 and continued the practice of law; elected as a Republican to the Fifty-fourth Congress (March 4, 1895-March 3, 1897); declined to be a candidate for renomination in 1896; resumed the practice of law; appointed attorney general of Puerto Rico on May 10, 1910, and served until April 20, 1912, when he resigned; resumed the practice of law in Chattanooga, Tenn., until his death there on March 26, 1937; interment in Forest Hills Cemetery.