His father, Ervin Brown, was originally from North Carolina and moved to Jasper County, Georgia.

His mother was from South Carolina, and was the daughter of Henry Burdette, who was a pioneer of Jasper County.

[1] He had practiced law in a partnership with future governor James W. Throckmorton and Russell DeArmond.

[10] While a legislator, Brown "focused his energies on establishing regulations to curb corporate aggression and led an effort that resulted in the creation of the Texas Railroad Commission".

At night, he would often walk the grounds of the Texas Capitol with a tall staff similar to a shepherd's crook, with a light hung on the top.