In 1860, Zenas J. Brown (1812-1895), a pharmacist, received the nickname of Dr. Eight Square when he constructed an octagonal building in Susanville. Brown, in the scheme of things is known for a lot of things. In 1861, Brown created Susanville’s first subdivision, located in the vicinity of Lassen High School and aptly named Browntown. More importantly he credited with the planting of the area’s first orchard of apple and peach trees. In 1863, one of Brown’s peach trees produced the area’s first peach crop —four peaches devoured by Susan Roop and Mrs. C.W. Fuller. In the fall of 1864, Brown sold his subdivision and left the region.
Zenas J. was a true wanderer
1813 born N.Y.
1850 Oregon marries his wife Ester
1860 Honey Lake Valley, Plumas Co., California
1870 Yolo Co., California
1880 Tarrant Co., Texas
1885 Key West Florida
1890 Wife dies Fort Meyers, Florida
1895 Zenas dies San Diego, California
This is fun! Just discovered Zenas is my third great-grandfather and my name is Susan! Thank you for this information!