John Hertz Brown was born 16 Oct 1886, Charleston Co., S.C., a son of Samuel Claudius and Frances Maria (called Fannie) (Hertz) Brown. He had the following siblings: Fanny M. (ca1885- ?); Albert Eger (1889-1984); Rachel Beatrice (1893-1972); Samuel Claudius Jr. (1899-1974).

He was initially in the National Guard but became 1st Lieutenant in the Coast Artillery Corps 5 Aug 1917. He served with the American Expeditionary Forces 5 Oct 1918 to 13 Feb 1919 in Regimental Headquarters, 75th Artillery, CAC. He left for France from Hoboken, N.J., on the USS Siboney 8 Oct 1918. He was honorably discharged 24 Mar 1919.

In 1914, John married Kathleen Sanders (1888-1976). They had the following children: Kathleen (ca1916- ?): Barbara (1922-2015). In 1920, they were living at 408 Rutledge St., Spartanburg, and John was a lawyer in general practice. In 1930 and 1940, they were still living on Rutledge St., Spartanburg, and John was still practicing law.

He died 10 Aug 1959 of coronary occlusion with carcinoma of the colon that had metastasized to the liver in Spartanburg General Hospital, Spartanburg, S.C., and is buried in Plot 40, Row 7, Section CD South, Oakwood Cemetery, Spartanburg, S.C.