John Bundy Brown

John Bundy Brown (May 31, 1805 – January 10, 1881 His grandfather relocated into New Hampshire from Stonington, Connecticut, and became one of the pioneer settlers of Lancaster. Brown attended public schools and the Hebron Academy. He began working at a young age in Portland as a dollar-per-week grocery clerk. After Greely and Guild's firm company failed, Brown took over the entire business. The business was not successful in its early years because it was unable to produce the required granulation using known processes. However, it became lucrative after Brown's agent, Dependence H. Furbush, developed a process that used steam power to extract a sugar from molasses. In 1855, Brown, Furbush, and Brown's son Philip H. Brown chartered the Portland Sugar Company, formerly located at the corner of York Street and Maple Street.

Brown was Maine's wealthiest resident and Portland's largest landowner. He owned over 400-plus acres in Portland's West End. The Western Promenade was built on Brown's land. 17 of his properties, including the Portland Sugar House, were destroyed in the 1866 Portland Fire. Brown rebuilt his businesses, including a new sugar house and the Falmouth Hotel, and constructed a number of mansions, including his own Bramhall. J.B. Brown & Sons, founded by Brown, continues to own, manage and develop commercial properties in Portland. The J.B. Brown Memorial Building on Congress Street was constructed by Brown's sons after his death and was named in his honor.

Brown was the president of the Portland Savings Bank, Portland Board of Trade, and Maine General Hospital, an incorporator of the St. Lawrence and Atlantic Railroad, a trustee of Bowdoin College, and a director of a number of other businesses, including the Maine Central Railroad Company. Brown's son, John Marshall Brown, was an officer during the American Civil War and fought in several major battles including the Battle of Gettysburg.

Death Brown died on January 10, 1881, at his home in Portland. After his death, his sons Philip Henry and John Marshall constructed the Brown Memorial Building at Congress and Casco Streets in 1883.