Last updated: July 23, 2026
Person
Bown, John T
Descendant Judy Hoffman Kerr and Historian Trent Johnson
Quick Facts
Significance:
51st Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company D
Place of Birth:
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England
Date of Birth:
September 21st, 1823
Place of Death:
Nashville, Tennessee
Date of Death:
December 2nd, 1862
Place of Burial:
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Cemetery Name:
Stones River National Cemetery
John T. Bown was born on September 21, 1823, in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England, to Jacob and Elizabeth Bown. In 1832, he immigrated to the United States with his parents and two siblings, settling first in Philadelphia. By 1840, the family had made Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, their home.
Three years later, in 1843, John married Rachel E. Smailes, who, like John, had journeyed from England to begin a new life in America. The couple remained in Allegheny County through 1850, during which time John worked as a confectioner. Their lives then took them west to New Moscow in Coshocton County, Ohio. There, John established a general store and served as the town’s Postmaster. Together, John and Rachel raised ten children, nine of whom survived infancy—an enduring testament to their resilience in a time marked by hardship.
In September 1861, as the Civil War escalated, John enlisted in the Union Army. He mustered in as a private with Company D of the 51st Ohio Volunteer Infantry (OVI) on September 6 at Camp Meigs in Tuscarawas County. His dedication was quickly recognized, and he was promoted to corporal the following month. The 51st OVI, composed largely of men from Tuscarawas and Coshocton Counties, saw early service in Kentucky before moving on to occupy Nashville, Tennessee, and were then ordered to pursue Confederate General Bragg back through Kentucky. They fought at Perryville in October 1862 and eventually returned to Nashville just before the Battle of Stones River.
While encamped at Nashville, Corporal Bown fell ill with chronic diarrhea—a widespread and often fatal condition among Civil War soldiers. He died on December 2, 1862, leaving behind his wife and nine surviving children. His widow, Rachel, lived until 1913.
John T. Bown is laid to rest at Stones River National Cemetery in plot J‑3949. Although his headstone mistakenly reads “J. T. Brown,” historical records confirm his true surname as Bown.
This biography was researched and written by historian Trent Johnson, with an accompanying image provided by John Bown’s descendant, Judy Hoffman Kerr. Edits were made by our National Park staff.