LEWIS "DOC" BROWN

Lewis John Leonard "Doc" Brown was born on March 14, 1877 in the Staples-Motley area. Anna Wallie Keller was born on February 16, 1881 in New Ulm. They both moved to St. Louis Park around the turn of the century; Anna’s father had come to manage the St. Louis Park Hotel when she was 18. Doc and Anna married on July 7, 1902 in St. Louis Park. They lived at 6018 Goodrich Ave., a house owned by Sarah Hamilton, built 1898. In 1923 the family moved to 3764 Brunswick.

Doc was a barber by trade, and his first barbershop was across from Minneapolis and St. Louis Depot. He soon moved to the Hamilton Building. The 1914 tornado pretty much tore that building apart (he had no insurance), and in 1915 he moved across the street to the Walker Building.

Doc added pool tables to his shop as early as 1911. From about 1913 to 1916 he was associated with Elmer Whipps, a constable whose name was also on the license. By 1916 they were up to 3 tables.

Although Doc only had an 8th grade education, he served as Village Assessor 1904, 1906, 1907, and 1908. Among his other activities, he was manager of the St. Louis Park baseball team in 1910.

Doc died in August 1942. Anna died in 1985. They had seven children:

Wallace Albert, born 1903, died November 22, 1987
Monroe A. (died before 1987)
Rosalia Lewis, Jr.
Una A. Keely (died before 1987)
Ann (1915-1999)
Benjamin (born Mach 31, 1916)

For a memoir of Doc Brown and the Walker Bldg., see Something in the Water.

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This information comes from a variety of sources: newspapers, books, yearbooks, phone directories, interviews, etc. Given the varied sources, we cannot guarantee that all of this information is correct, and welcome any additions and corrections. Please contact us with your contributions and comments.