282 THE PORTRAIT GALLERY 
In 1908 he made the initial purchase of Shorthorns for his 
farms near Dundee and Elgin, Ill. 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 
Elmendorf 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. 
