Brown, John (1800-1859), was a radical abolitionist whose attempt to free the slaves cost a number of lives and helped indirectly to bring on the American Civil War. His ancestors had sailed to America in the early colonial period. He was born on May 9, 1800, in Torrington, Connecticut, and lived as a child in Ohio. His two marriages resulted in 20 children. He did various types of work and had several business ventures. He was not a successful businessman, and his family lived insecurely.