James W. Brown II was a member of the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club, whose earthen dam failed in May 1889, causing the Johnstown Flood.

At the time of the Johnstown Flood, Brown was the secretary and treasurer of the Hussey, Howe and Company Steel Works Ltd.

Soon after the disaster, Brown and several others of the Pittsburgh upper class bought summer vacation properties on Lake Muskoka, in Ontario, Canada, centered near the town of Beaumaris.

James W. Brown II was the great-great-grandson of Fur Trader and Indian Agent/Interpreter Thomas McKee, who served under General Forbes at Fort Pitt circa 1758.

James W. Brown II was also brother-in-law to Pittsburgh Mayor and American ambassador to Japan, George W. Guthrie.