In 1868 Captain Brown abandoned the sea and engaged in mercantile pursuits, purchasing a ship chandlery store in Newburgh, N.Y. which he conducted until 1870. In that year he sold out and engaged in the dry dock business at Newburgh under the firm name of Bullman & Brown, and so continued until 1878, when the business was removed to Jersey City. Mr. Bullman died in 1890 and the concern was incorporated under the style of the Brown Dry Dock Company, of which Mr. Brown has continuously been President. This is one of the most important industries in Jersey City. It gives employment to a large number of men, and under Mr. Brown's able and energetic management has become well known among the shipping interests.

In public as well as in business life Mr. Brown has achieved a high reputation. He is a Prohibitionist in politics, having been actively and prominently identified with that party for about twenty years. He served it as a delegate to the last four National conventions and in other important capacities. He has been its nominee for Mayor, Assemblyman, State Senator, and Freeholder, and for many years has been and still is a member of the State Prohibition Executive Committee. He was a delegate to the National convention at Cleveland in 1888 which nominated General Fisk for the Presidency, and also a delegate to the convention of 1892 which nominated Hon. George Bidwell. He has served for many years as a member of the Prohibition County Committee of Hudson County, and in 1889, 1890, and 1891 was Chairman of that body. For twenty-four years he has been an Elder in the Bergen Reformed (Dutch) Church. Since 1859 he has been a prominent Mason, holding membership in Bergen Lodge of Jersey City. He is also a member of Mount Union Chapter, R. A. M., of Hugh de Payens Commander, K. T., of Jersey City, of the Maritime Exchange of New York City, and of other social, political, and business organizations. He is a public spirited, progressive citizen, thoroughly identified with the affairs of the community, and respected and esteemed for those qualities which stamp the successful man.