John Brown

Written by Millicent Frieden about her father in the 9/1967 Silver Lining

I have been asked to write a few lines about my father, the late Bro. John Brown. John was born August 21, 1893, to Johan and Eva Binder Braun of Gyorkony, Hungary. He had four brothers and a sister. The family was of Lutheran concept. The love of God was instilled within the hearts of the children as they grew up.

At age 17, John and two of his young friends left their families and homeland to visit the United States. Due to government restrictions, their leaving was in secret; thus, no one was told goodbye, which nearly broke John's parent's hearts. The penalty for being caught was quite high: a fine, plus a lengthy jail sentence for the escapee, and heavy fine to his parents. The trio rode a train for 70 miles, and there joined a guide who escorted them by foot to the Austrian border which was another 60 miles.

John recalled the group stopped to rest only once briefly, and the new pair of shoes John had at the beginning of the journey had no soles left at the end of the trip. At a later time this guide was apprehended, but John never learned his fate.

In Liebsig, some travel agents took them into hand and lent kindly assistance. The boys had little money left, but were given tickets on a ship, provided they help with odd jobs during the voyage. John's duties was helping in the kitchen. He became very seasick and lonesome on the 14-day voyage, and often wished he could turn the ship around and go back home.

John mentioned many times the wonderful, unbelieving feeling the got in his chest when he first saw the Statue of Liberty, holding her torch out to the weary sea-goers. What a marvelous sight! Upon arrival in New York City, each passenger needed $25 in his possession before he could enter the United States. John only had $18, but a very anxious man, being held back by John's delay, gave him the nessary dollars so the line could keep moving.

From New York, the young men boarded a train for Akron. The arrival at Akron was a joyous one for John's two friends, as they each had family to meet them; John had no one. In his pocket was an address of a former neighbor, who was unaware of his coming. John's fright of being stranded in a strange city alone, unable to speak the language, made him call upon the Lord many times those first few days. John felt his prayers were answered when he finally located the former neighbors and was cordially welcomed into their home. He roomed with this family many months, while obtaining work at a rubber factory.

John remained in Akron two years, during which time he lived meagerly and saved for his return trip to Hungray. However, at the end of two years he decided to see a little more country and journeyed to Harper, Kansas, where he had heard there was much land to till, with great wheat harvests each summer. At Harper, John worked out as a hired hand for various farmers. He grew to have many friends, and was often invited to attend the Apostolic Christian Church in Harper. The word of God was expounded before John, and he soon realized that he could not go on alone. He gave his heart to the Lord, in approximately 1915.

Bro. John was drafted into the Service in 1916, but was honorably discharged the following year, when the United States declared war against Hungary, as no person was required to be against his own native country.

In 1927, Bro. John purchased the first land of his own, located near Hazelton, Kansas. He packed all of his belongings into a wagon and, being pulled by his horses, left Harper and set out for his new home. He attended church in Burlington, Oklahoma, a distance of 18 miles from his farm.

In 1928, Bro. John took out his naturalization papers and became a citizen of the United States of America. At that time, the spelling of Braun was altered to Brown. John's citizenship meant so much to him; after having his grandparents leave Germany in the mid 1700s because of lack of religious freedom, and then to know the oppression of Communist Hungary, John was very happy to be a citizen of the great United States.

Many times Bro. John dreamed of returning for a visit to his family in Hungary.... But each time he would prepare to go, a war or government upheaval made such a journey unwise. His father died in 1938; John sent money to buy a tombstone for his grave. Otherwise, there would not have been a stone, as the residents were not allowed to spend money for such.

In 1945, Bro. John married Sis. Dorothy Bahr of Gridley, Kansas. They lived on the homeplace near Hazelton, during which time a daughter, Eva Millicent, was born.

The aftermath of World War II found Hungary and Germany in chaos. John's brothers lost their homes and escaped with only the clothes on their backs. Cousins, school chums, and neighbors obtained John's address and wrote to him, begging for food, clothing, and such. At one point John had letters from at least 50 families. Used clothing and foodstuffs were donated from the community and the church people. Brethren and friends would gather in the church basement and homes to pack & bind up 22-pound packages to send overseas. Coffee, tea, rice, flour, and beans were sent in quantities, along with needles, thread, material, and clothing. Sis. Dorothy canned meat and lard in tin cans and sealed the lids; she also put homemade soap in empty coffee cans. Several of these destitute families receiving packages have since said that, "if it were not for these packages they would have starved."

Bro. John and Sis. Dorothy tried repeatedly to get the Hungarian government to release the Braun family. In 1949, Mother Braun could have come, but suddenly passed away, two weeks before the departure date. Finally in 1964, John's only living brother and relative, Miklos, got to come for a 90-day visit. Due to Hungarian government regulations, his wife and five children had to remain behind. Miklos was 10 years younger than John, or 61, at the time of the visit. He and Bro. John enjoyed the visit as much as Bro. John's failing health would allow. The family now lived in Kiowa, Kansas, nearer the church and other members.

Miklos and his wife were not satisfied with the Lutheran fellowship, and leaned toward the Apostolic Christian Faith(called the Nazareaner faith in Hungary). This was a dream come true for Bro. John and Sis. Dorothy, who of course were unaware of Miklos' faith, due to Communist letter-censuring.

Miklos and his wife had repented and found peace with their Maker, but because of Communist conditions they could not be baptized. Miklos was equally surprised to find upon his visit here that his brother attended the same church -even sang the same hymns (although he couldn't understand the language of course), and conducted the meetings in virtually the same manner as his church of many years ago. Under the present circumstances in Hungary, the Braun family cannot attend church or even have a Bible out where it might be seen. Miklos was astonished by the fact that the word of God can be talked about so freely, and prayers can be uttered before a public group or with a neighbor. In his country, one can only trust his family members, and often not even them-as the children are taught in school to report all anticommunist goings on or worshipping in the home. Miklos pointed out the cunningness of the government to root out religion. They advocate the older people must be let alone, as too much unrest will cause a revolt; but by focusing on the children and young people with extra work, sports, schooling, and other activities, there is no time for concern of religion. Little children are often removed from their parent's home and placed in orphanages, to be taught only by Communists; the children then will grow up to be the strength of the government. Having all these unchristian acts take place before their very eyes, Miklos said his faith and his wife's have never lessened, but rather worshipping in secret has made them realize how precious God is. Yet, it is very trying to watch their own children being led away from their Christian home.

It was a sad day when Miklos boarded a jet for Hungary ; knowing that the families would never again meet on earth. . . . But yet the hope of heaven gave each something to grasp to, as the last embrace was shared. Nine months later. Bro. John entered into his Rest. His last spoken words were a praver: "Vater, ich werde kommen." "Father, I shall be coming." He passed away May 9, 1965, twenty years to the day since he first met Sis. Dorothy. Bro. John's daughter, Millicent, married Larry Frieden, and since John's death they have both found the Lord. Sis. Millicent and Bro. Larry and their son, Linndy John, reside on the homeplace at Hazelton, where Bro. Larry farms. Sis. Dorothy lives in Kiowa and currently keeps busy with World Relief projects.

Bro. John's life was simple and crowded with work. He wasn't a preacher or even a Sunday School teacher, yet through his own experiences he had compassion on his fellowman. Bro. John knew the Lord well-as a Friend, a Mother, a Father, a Brother, and as a Savior.