Fred Morris Brown
Fred Brown was born to Fred and Rhoda Alexander Brown in 1926 and has lived in Estill County his entire life. He is known to all as a quiet and effective leader whose life depicts service and devotion to his community, family, friends and all done with a humble spirit.
Fred attended the Estill County Schools and graduated from the high school in 1944. He credits Sam Tuttle, his agriculture teacher, for being his mentor and inspiration. Fred worked in the Future Farmers of America where he learned teamwork, organizational skills and the importance of good record keeping. He enjoyed competing with other young farmers from other schools. Therefore, he chose farming as his life career.
As a student, Fred remembers helping all kinds of people during war time. “People had to pull together to get things done,” he commented. Soon after graduation, he too was drafted and spent two years serving his country, in the Philippines and in Korea. Following his discharge, he returned home to farm and bought his first tractor. He indicated that the tractor greatly increased his efficiency as a farmer.
Although farming is his great love (Fred is one of a handful of farmers in Estill County whose livelihood had come primarily from that profession) he has over the years distinguished himself by serving in various agriculture related positions. He worked with Jim Killian for the Soil Conservation Service and also served as a cashier for the Madison Sales (livestock auction) Company in Richmond. A colleague says of Fred, “He’s as honest as the day is long. He’s a very quiet guy but what he says goes. He works hard.” He has served as an adjuster for the Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance Company, dealing primarily with hail damage to tobacco.
Fred helped to establish the local chapter of the Kentucky Farm Bureau and was the youngest president of a local Bureau in the state. However, helping establish the Estill County Fair Board as a charter member/incorporator and watching it grow into the exemplary association that is today brings a special sense of pride to Fred. Other involvements in which he has played significant roles include the 4-H Council and the Estill County University of Kentucky Extension Council.
Another service that Fred has provided is his work with bringing electricity to rural area of Estill County by serving on the board of Jackson County Rural Electric Cooperative since 1969. He also represents Jackson Energy by serving on the board of its parent company, East Kentucky Power. That company also serves fifteen other distribution cooperatives in eastern Kentucky. Fred served as a Board member of the Union Bank and Trust Company and its successors from 1969 until 2000.
Fred is married to Thelda Cox and they have on son, Fred II. His son has inherited his dad’s love of farming and following graduation from UK has taken over the operation of the family farm. Fred attends both the Wisemantown United Methodist Church and the Thomas Baptist Church.
Fred says, “I wanted to stay in Estill County and make a living farming. Farming gives you the satisfaction of seeing the results of your labor.” All of the people who know and have worked with Fred would say,” We’re thankful that you decided to stay, Fred!”
Fred attended the Estill County Schools and graduated from the high school in 1944. He credits Sam Tuttle, his agriculture teacher, for being his mentor and inspiration. Fred worked in the Future Farmers of America where he learned teamwork, organizational skills and the importance of good record keeping. He enjoyed competing with other young farmers from other schools. Therefore, he chose farming as his life career.
As a student, Fred remembers helping all kinds of people during war time. “People had to pull together to get things done,” he commented. Soon after graduation, he too was drafted and spent two years serving his country, in the Philippines and in Korea. Following his discharge, he returned home to farm and bought his first tractor. He indicated that the tractor greatly increased his efficiency as a farmer.
Although farming is his great love (Fred is one of a handful of farmers in Estill County whose livelihood had come primarily from that profession) he has over the years distinguished himself by serving in various agriculture related positions. He worked with Jim Killian for the Soil Conservation Service and also served as a cashier for the Madison Sales (livestock auction) Company in Richmond. A colleague says of Fred, “He’s as honest as the day is long. He’s a very quiet guy but what he says goes. He works hard.” He has served as an adjuster for the Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance Company, dealing primarily with hail damage to tobacco.
Fred helped to establish the local chapter of the Kentucky Farm Bureau and was the youngest president of a local Bureau in the state. However, helping establish the Estill County Fair Board as a charter member/incorporator and watching it grow into the exemplary association that is today brings a special sense of pride to Fred. Other involvements in which he has played significant roles include the 4-H Council and the Estill County University of Kentucky Extension Council.
Another service that Fred has provided is his work with bringing electricity to rural area of Estill County by serving on the board of Jackson County Rural Electric Cooperative since 1969. He also represents Jackson Energy by serving on the board of its parent company, East Kentucky Power. That company also serves fifteen other distribution cooperatives in eastern Kentucky. Fred served as a Board member of the Union Bank and Trust Company and its successors from 1969 until 2000.
Fred is married to Thelda Cox and they have on son, Fred II. His son has inherited his dad’s love of farming and following graduation from UK has taken over the operation of the family farm. Fred attends both the Wisemantown United Methodist Church and the Thomas Baptist Church.
Fred says, “I wanted to stay in Estill County and make a living farming. Farming gives you the satisfaction of seeing the results of your labor.” All of the people who know and have worked with Fred would say,” We’re thankful that you decided to stay, Fred!”