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Brown, Ralph O., 1911-2000

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: February 1, 1911 - August 18, 2000

Biographical Information

Ralph O. Brown was born on February 1, 1911, in Rock Creek Township, Huntington County, Indiana, to William Chesley Curtis Brown and Flora Ethel Day Brown. A 1930 graduate of Rock Creek Township High School, Mr. Brown was a farmer and a lifelong resident of Rock Creek Township.

Per a biography written by Toni Mayo, "Photographer pilot, Ralph O. Brown operated Northern Indiana Aerial Photographic and Survey Service, from 1940-1970, in Huntington, Indiana. He flew the plane, photographed the image, developed the film, printed the photograph and sold each print door-to-door. He took more than 30,000 aerial photographs during his career."

Brown returned to farming following his retirement in 1968.

Citation

Indiana Obituary and Death Notice Archive. Accessed October 24, 2014. http://www.genlookups.com/in/webbbs_config.pl/read/342

Citation

Brown, Ralph, includes 10 photographs, 1998-2001, Box: 1, Folder: 8. Toni Mayo papers and research files for "Defining Flight", MSP 181. Purdue University Archives and Special Collections, Purdue University Libraries.

Found in 3 Collections and/or Records:

Ralph O. Brown papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSP 180
Scope and Contents The Ralph O. Brown papers document Brown's businesses, Southside Studio, Huntington, Indiana and the Northern Indiana Aerial Photographic and Survey Service. The papers are comprised of Ralph O. Brown's pilot flight records and log books, which include his remarks and notations and Brown's journal which contains stories, including, "My First Solo Flight," and "Flying Dangerous or Not?" Also included are business receipts (1950s), business related correspondence, two clippings about Brown and...
Dates: 1940 - 1976

Ralph O. Brown papers, addition 02

 Unprocessed — Box: 01
Identifier: 20150728

Toni Mayo papers and research files for "Defining Flight"

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: MSP 181
Abstract Documentation and research notes from twenty personal narratives of Huntington County, Indiana pilots and aviatrixes who flew during the early to mid-twentieth century. The research notes from oral histories were used by Toni Mayo in the compilation of her master’s thesis and book, Defining Flight.
Dates: 1911-2003; Other: Majority of material found in 1998-2001; Other: Date acquired: 05/11/2013