282 THE PORTRAIT GALLERY 



In 1908 he made the initial purchase of Shorthorns for his 

 farms near Dundee and Elgin, 111. His herd in recent years 

 has averaged about seventy-five head of cattle and was headed 

 by the bull King's Secret, by King Cumberland, bred by the 

 Elmen-dorf farm (68). This bull was followed by Bandmaster, 

 Jr., of Canadian breeding, an animal that has proved peculiarly 

 satisfactory. In June, 1919, he sold his herd down to very lim- 

 ited numbers and is now rebuilding it with animals possessing 

 the very best pedigrees he can secure. In addition to his 

 Shorthorns he has bred some Shropshires, and has raised and 

 fed large numbers of lambs for market. His chief purpose in 

 operating Thaxton Farms has been to bring the soil up to a 

 very high state of cultivation, and he has been very successful 

 in this regard. 



Mr. Brown has been a director of the International from the 

 earliest years, and has particularly devoted his attention to the 

 carload lots and the upbuilding of the cattle show. His 

 acquaintance among the cattlemen of America is rivalled by 

 few, and his career furnishes a challenge to every young man 

 who must overcome apparently insurmountable obstacles. 



