Arthur C. Brown was born to Mary and Omer Brown at Clinton, Iowa on May 23, 1898. His father had a furniture store in partnership with a brother. A fire wiped out the business and all their records were burned so they collected no insurance. From there they moved to Albert Lea, Minnesota, where they operated a mattress factory, sewing the mattresses by hand. They later moved to Waiters, Minnesota, where they had a drug store and a general merchandise business. A. C.'s father wanted him to take over the store but his mother wanted him to go on and get more schooling. A. C. attended Mankato Commercial College, Mankato, Minnesota, and the University of Minnesota. A. C. recalled his father purchasing a 1914 Ford 4-door sedan for $550. Ford had agreed to refund $50 if a certain number of cars were sold. They sold this particular amount so the $50 was refunded. A. C. recalled going to Kiester, Minnesota, which was six miles away to get the car, and having never driven a car before, he drove in the ditch on the way home. A. C.'s father finally disposed of the store and they retired to Spring Valley, Minnesota.
A.C. was a World War I veteran and after the war came to Pillsbury, North Dakota, to work in a bank. He often told about his first trip into North Dakota and seeing the unusual sight of burning straw stacks all over the countryside, an unheard of practice in southern Minnesota. While at Pillsbury, he met and married Viola Sowden of rural Pillsbury. He later worked in the bank at Luverne, and in 1927, came to Hannaford, at which time he organized the Security State Bank. A. C. and Vi had two sons, Clinton and William.
A.C. and Vi were very active in all community affairs, as well as many different fraternal organizations. They were always working to promote Hannaford at every opportunity, and A. C. has been referred to by some as "Mr. Hannaford."
Mrs. Viola Brown passed away in 1956, and Mr. Brown later married Mrs. Edna Frorath.
The Security State Bank used to be located in what is now the Hannaford post office, but a new building was built in 1959. It has served the community since its beginning in 1927.
A.C. Brown worked up to the day he suffered a stroke on June 25, 1973. He spent approximately four months at Dakota Hospital and four months at Bethany Rest Home at Fargo, passing away on February 25, 1974.
Source: Hannaford Area History North Dakota Centennial 1889 - 1989 Page 96