Waldron W. Browne was born in Georgia in Sept 1867. Married to Bertha Mehring on October 16, 1899 in Hennepin County. They lived in Bemidji in 1900. They purchased the property at 700 Minnesota Avenue and appear to have sold the original building in 1909 and built a new house.
For Sale: A snap: Building 16×32, new sills siding and floors, $300. Cash if moved at once. Waldron W. Browne, 700 Minnesota Ave. (1909)
A new single family dwelling was built in 1910. Waldron Browne was a restaurant operator. They had twin girls, Verna and Vera on April 27, 1908 in Bemidji.
In 1910, he seized a business opportunity in Jamestown, North Dakota, only to suffer a fire the first night of his venture.
BROWNE BUYS SHOW BURNS
Bemidji Restaurant Man Loses New Property in Jamestown
W. W. Browne, proprietor of the Armstrong Cafe on Beltrami avenue in this city, went to Jamestown, N.D., a few days ago, to purchase the Orpheum Vaudeville Theatre in that city. Word now comes that be lost his newly gained property by fire. A special from Jamestown gives the following account of Mr. Browne’s misfortune:
“While the place was nearly filled with spectators fire broke out Saturday evening in the Orpheum, the vaudeville theater in this city, about 9 o’clock in the evening. The presence of mind of a few saved the others from injury. The theater had just been purchased by W. W. Browne of Bemidji, Minn., and his manager, James Spaulding, gave his first performance here Thursday night!”
“Mr. and Mrs. Max Rose, former proprietors of the show house, have rooms in the second story and Mrs. Rose had a large number of trained birds in the basement which were rescued with considerable difficulty.”
“The exact cause of the fire is unknown and no estimates of the loss can yet be made. The stage and all its scenery is totally destroyed and the smoke and water damaged the whole building that was not touched by the fire.” (Dec 8, 1910)
The Brownes advertised for help with housekeeping in 1910 and 1911. In 1912, they advertised for two good girls and one nurse girl. The family moved to Canada in 1912. “Mrs. W .W. Browne and little daughters, Verna and Verna, left on Tuesday afternoon for Stony Plains, Alberta, Canada, where they will join Mr. Browne and will make their future home.” (June 20, 1912)