He had the shortest term as Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, with only 7 days in office.
Linda S. Hudson wrote that Brown was likely born in Ireland and that early Texas census records list him as an Irishman and a farmer.
[1] However Willis Brewer and the Research Division of the Texas Legislative Council have written that John "Red" Brown was born in South Carolina in 1787.
[2][3] He was commonly known as Red due to his ruddy complexion, to distinguish himself from the other John Browns in the county.
[6] On March 9, 1846, Brown resigned as Speaker pro tempore, and the House elected Edward Thomas Branch.
[6] He served until a vote recount proved that his opponent, Jonathan Russell, won the election.