Minot Brown spent nearly half his ninety-three years in the military. He rose through the ranks eventually becoming a lieutenant colonel. Given this commitment it is not surprising that Minot was an active member of Owatonna’s American Legion post for over fifty years.
Minot was born on March 14, 1877 in Owatonna. While studying at the University of Minnesota he joined the school’s Cadet Corps. In 1904, five years after graduating, Minot joined the National Guard five years later as a second lieutenant. He received a promotion in 1907 and again in 1916 while serving on the Mexican Border.
Shortly after the US entered World War I in 1917, Minot became a major in the 34th Division. The unit spent most of the war training in the deserts of New Mexico. Minot and his division arrived in Europe during the autumn of 1918, just weeks before the war ended.
After his return to Owatonna, Minot called a meeting of former veterans at the Armory. On May 4, 1919 he and eleven other men founded the Steele County Former Service Men, a forerunner of Post 77. Later that year, Minot became one of the post’s charter members.
In addition to the American Legion, Minot served in the Army Reserve until 1948. He died on January 19, 1971. In his will, Minot left over $30,000 to the city of Owatonna. Local officials used the money to build a park in the southwest part of town and named it in his honor.
