Melissa Cynthia Call was born 29 March 1830 in Madison, Geauga, Ohio. She was the 11th of the 13 children born to Cyril Call & Sarah Tiffany Call. Siblings: Harvey (1808-1849), Anson (1810-1890), Salmon (1812-1813), Samantha (1814-1905), Fanny (1816-1898), Lucina (1819-1904), Josiah Howe (1822-1858), Mary (1824-1865), Sonora Rosaline (1826-1906), Sarah (1828-1886), Omer (1834-1909) and Homer (1834-1908). She was personally acquainted with the Prophet Joseph Smith, for he was a frequent visitor at the home of her parents. She married Russell Gideon Brownell 24 March 1846. She and Russell and their 8 month old daughter Mary Jane were part of the 316 members of the Samuel Gully/Orson Spencer Company. Also in the company were her husband's parents Gideon and Elizabeth Wheeler Brownell. The company departed 28 May 1849 and arrived in the Salt Lake Valley of Utah sometime between 22-25 September 1849. Melissa was expecting their 2nd child during this trek to the west. Melissa & Gideon were the parents of 12 children: Mary Jane (1847-1925), Duane Russell (1849-1932), DeWitt Clinton (1851-1932), Don Carlos (1853-1915), Willard Richard (1855-1855), Lucina Melissa (1856-1930), Lester Gideon (1858-1934), Fannie Luima (1860-1939), Chester C. (1860-1860), Gyretha Samantha (1864-1935), Luella Sarah (1869-1909) and DeLos Gatos (1872-1930). Between 1860 and 1863, Russell and Melissa moved their family from Utah to California as evidenced by the birthplaces of Chester and Gyretha and also by the following voter records. Event Date: 1867 Event Place: Liberty, San Joaquin, California. Event Date: 1880 Event Place: 3 1 2 Precinct, Sacramento, California, United States. Event Date: 21 Mar 1888 Event Place: Lookout, Modoc, California, United States.

Melissa was 58 years of age when she passed away on 2 September 1888 in Roberts, Fresno, California, USA∼She was married to Russell G. Brownell, June 8th, 1846, and was the mother of thirteen children ten of whom are now living and have grown to honorable manhood and womanhood.

The children now living are:

Mrs. Mary J. Warmky, Independence, Mo.
D. R. Brownell, San Francisco
DeWitt C. Brownell, Mud Lake, Modoc Co.
D. C. Brownell, San Francisco
Mrs. Lucina M. Etzenhouser, Independence, Mo.
L. G. Brownell, Lookout, Cal.
Mrs. Gyretha Brown, Fresno, Cal.
Mrs. Ima Packwood, Bieber, Cal.
Ella S. and Delos G. Brownell, of Lookout, Cal.

Mrs. Brownell has been a life sufferer, and during her last days on earth was attended by her two sons, Duane and Don Carlos, and the best medical skill of the State.