From the Forest Home Cemetery Facebook page:
In 1842, Clarissa and Samuel Brown became a part of the story of the Underground Railroad in Milwaukee. In July, Caroline Quarlls (in photo), a 16-year-old slave from Missouri, escaped from her mistress and made her way to Milwaukee. Upon arriving in the city, she gave a barber named Robert Titball $85 to hide her.
Secretly, Mr. Titball met with Attorney Horatio Wells in order to claim reward money. Instead of helping Titball, Wells contacted Attorney Asahel Finch Jr. who recognized that Caroline was in grave danger. He found Caroline and hid her along the banks of the Milwaukee River. After making some arrangements, Asahel Finch Jr. took Caroline to the farm of Samuel and Clarissa Brown, located between 17th and 20th and Fond du Lac Avenue.
It was Samuel Brown who took Caroline to Prairieville (Waukesha) hidden in the back of his wagon and to the home of abolitionist Lyman Goodnow. Caroline continued her journey with Goodnow through the Underground Railroad to Detroit and into Canada.
A historical marker is located on the corner of 17th and Fond du Lac Avenue that recognizes the involvement of Samuel and Clarissa Brown, the Underground Railroad, and the help given to Caroline Quarlls.
Samuel and Clarissa Hoyt Brown (Section 14), Horatio Wells (Section 27) and Asahel Finch Jr. (Section 19), are all buried at Forest Home Cemetery. Their simple markers do not reveal their wonderful story.
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