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George Nolan Brown

A descendant of Northwest pioneers, George Nolan Brown was the grandson and son of early Cheney settlers.  His grandfather, Abel Brown, had been in the dray and freighting business in Walla Walla.  A freighting trip brought him to Cheney and he was so impressed by the thriving little town that he loaded the covered wagon and with his wife and year-old son, George, set out for the new town of Cheney, traveling the historic old Mullen Trail.  He immediately entered the livery stable business, becoming one of the leading and most respected businessmen of this community.

George W. Brown grew up here and married Mattie Holter.  Their first son, George Nolan, was born June 4, 1909.  He was called "Nolan" to avoid confusing the two Georges.

Nolan was raised in Cheney, attended the elementary school which was then in the Normal Training School, in later years designated as the Lab. School.  He completed the 7th grade there then continued in the summer school classes offered in order to finish his high school education, graduating just before his 16th birthday in 1925.  That same year he enrolled in the fall quarter at Washington State University, Pullman, where he joined Theta Chi fraternity.  He later transferred to Stanford University from which he graduated in 1929.

Nolan's father and uncle, Norman Holter, owned the local Chevrolet agency.  Soon after his graduation Nolan entered the business as bookkeeper, assuming more of the management duties as time passed.

Not long after his return to Cheney, Nolan met a young Normal School graduate, Mary Norman and in 1930 they were married.  They had two daughters, Mary Elizabeth (Betty) and Karen.

By 1942 the second World War was taking young men from their occupations.  Nolan's two younger brothers had been managing the Colfax branch of Brown and Holter Chevrolet in that location.  They both entered military service leaving the agency there in need of a manager and dealer so Nolan moved there.  He, too, was restless to do his part in the service of his country and in 1943 enlisted in the Navy.  On completion of officer's training school he was assigned to a supply depot in Philadelphia as a procurement officer for sparkplugs.  He advanced to the rank of Navy Lieutenant and received his discharge in 1946.

Nolan's father had passed away during the war, leaving Norman Holter, by now in failing health, to head the company.  Nolan came back to Cheney once again to take charge of the dealership here.  His two brothers, Robert and Martin, had also been released from the military.  The three brothers then formed a partnership to operate the three Brown and Holter agencies which were located in Cheney, Colfax and Pullman.

The partnership continued and expanded in the ensuing years.  Robert became interested in the real estate business and with his brother's approval bought 23 acres of land in northwest Spokane which was developed into Shadle Center.  It was sold to a California syndicate in 1976.

Nolan became engaged in many civic and business activities during his years in Cheney.  One of his primary concerns was city government in his home town of Cheney.  In 1956 he was elected Mayor, a position he held until his untimely death caused by a heart attack at his home on January 4, 1966.

His years as Mayor saw many improvements in the City.  A much needed sprinkler system for Sutton Park was approved in 1958; in late May of that year negotiations to purchase land for a new park in Reservoir Addition was approved by the Mayor and council.  The site was also to include a swimming pool.

1959 was a year of building in Cheney.  Building permit applications were granted Ratcliffe Co. for a shop building and to EWC for a warehouse.  A new sewer lagoon was in operation.

As in years past the water situation called for action.  In February, 1960 bids were opened for drilling a new well.

There were still graveled streets in town in 1960.  In June of that year Sup't Kyle Pugh reported an expenditure of $300.00 to oil graveled streets.  The procedure proved to be a saving of many dollars over the price of gravel required to cover the same area.

Mayor Brown took an active part in the Cheney Chamber of Commerce, was a member of the Cheney Gun Club and member of an investment group called Cheney Securities.  This was composed of a group of college professors who liked to invest in various deals and welcomed Nolan's advice.  The local Masonic Lodge valued his membership.  He held the office of Master in the lodge in 1937.  He was a member of the Spokane El Katif Shrine for a number of years, devoting many hours to their activities.

This community lost a strong supporter, a dedicated citizen and keen businessman in the death of Nolan Brown.

Contributed by Ellen Proctor, 1988.