John A. Brown was a resident of Ashford on August 8, 1862 when he enlisted as a Private in Co. D of the 21st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry; he was discharged June 24, 1865.

The descriptive muster roll for the 21^st Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry lists his age as 33 and his occupation as farmer.  He is described as 5’8” tall with a light complexion and blue eyes and brown hair.  His marital status is married.

He was born July 13, 1830 in Ashford, Connecticut probably to Eliphalet and Ermina (Preston) Brown. In the 1860 U.S. census in Ashford, he is a 30 year old farmer and head of household. John Brown married Sarah B. Simmons about 1856. Children include: Frederick E. Brown, born about 1857; Anna P. Brown, born about 1859 and Herbert L. Brown, born about 1861. After the Civil War, he returned to farming in Ashford.

On July 3, 1891, he applied for an invalid pension, No. 1,035,671 that was granted under certificate No. 817,017. His widow applied for a pension on April 30, 1908.

John A. Brown died on April 9, 1908 and is buried at the Mount Hope Cemetery in Mansfield.