These brothers are well known farmers of Miami county and representatives of one of the pioneer families of this section of the state. Their grandfather, James Brown, was born and reared in Virginia, whence he removed to Kentucky, locating near Cynthiana. He married Miss Martha Summers and in 1805, with his family and two brothers, left Kentucky, taking up his abode upon a farm of three hundred and thirty-two acres in Washington township, Miami county, south of Piqua. One of his brothers located near Muncie, Indiana, and the other at Connersville, that state. The old homestead owned by James Brown is now in the possession of T. C. Brown. The grandfather served as a soldier in the war of 1812, and throughout his active business career he carried on agricultural pursuits, his death occurring on his farm in December, 1845. His children were: John; Thomas, who died near Logansport, Indiana; James, deceased; Harvey, who married Miss Hilliard and died near Logansport, Indiana; William, who married Miss McCandless, and afterward a widow named Smith, and died near Logansport; Benjamin F., who married Miss Mary Hilliard, and died in Washington township, Miami county; Mary, who became the wife of Robert Houston and in 1848, went to Lynn county, Oregon, where she died; Elizabeth, who became the wife of Harvey Houston and died in Shelby county, Ohio; and Sarah, who married Robert McCandless and died at Logansport, Indiana.

John Brown, the father of our subjects, was born near Cynthiana, Kentucky, October 23, 1794, and was eleven years old when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Miami county. He aided his father in clearing the land and improving the farm. As the work of civilization had hardly been begun in this country, there were no schools and he obtained but little education. His entire experience in the school room covered but thirty days. His father, however, was a fairly educated man, and from his teaching John Brown gathered much useful knowledge. When quite young he left his home and began learning the hatter's trade, serving an apprenticeship in Piqua, and completing his trade in Lexington, Kentucky. He afterward purchased property in Piqua, where the Plaza Hotel now stands, and there successfully conducted business along the line of his chosen vocation for several years. He entered from the government a part of the land now owned by our subjects. He was highly esteemed both as a man and a citizen, for he possessed many good qualities. Although not a member of any church , his life was characterized by earnest Christian principles. Politically he was a Whig, giving an earnest support to the principles of the party. He was twice married, his first union being with Turzah Brandon, their wedding being celebrated October 13, 1819. The lady was born February 14, 1801, in North Carolina, and was a daughter of Abel and Jeanette Brandon. She died November 12, 1837, and on the 3d of January, 1839, Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Mary Knox, whose birth occurred in Wilson county, Tennessee, in July, 1809. Her father, William Knox, became one of the pioneer settlers of Miami county, locating on Trotter's creek in Newberry township. Mr. Brown died at his home in Piqua September 15, 1846, and his second wife, long surviving him, passed away July 14, 1888.

The children of his first marriage are as follows: Elizabeth, born April 19, 1821, became the wife of James Knox and died in New Paris, Preble county, in 1872; Nelson, born September 22, 1824, wedded Sarah Winner and died in Washington township, Miami county, January 15, 1866; William Armstrong, born February 12, 1827, died January 21, 1866; Martha Jane, born January 6, 1829, became the wife of Hiram Ewing, who died at Port Jefferson, Ohio, and after his death she married Henry Krug, her own death occurring in Logansport, Indiana; James Ellison, born January 24, 1831, died February 3, 1833: Sarah Ann, born July 30, 1833, became the wife of Logan Rogers and died January 5, 1860; John Madison, born December 17, 1835, married Sarah Johnson, who died March 4, 1882. He acquired his education in the public schools of Piqua and learned the tanner's trade, which he followed for many years in that city. He was also engaged in the tanning business for two years in Versailles, Ohio. He now makes his home with his brothers, Henry and Miles. In politics he is a staunch Republican, and socially is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

The children of John Brown and Mary Knox are four in number: James Harvey, born February 28, 1840, died at the age of fifteen years; Mary Turzah, the only daughter, was born September 2, 1844; Henry Clay, born September 20,1844, is now living on the old homestead at Piqua. He was educated in the public schools of that city, and, in connection with his brother, Miles Knox, he owns the old home farm of two hundred and fifty acres. He attends the Baptist church of Piqua, and is a member of the Masonic Lodge, No. 24. Miles Knox, the youngest of the family, was born November 9, 1846, at the home in Piqua. He pursued his education in the public schools of that city until sixteen years of age. He was then employed in a machine shop for a year and a half. In 1866 he went to the farm with his brother and they have since carried on agricultural pursuits. Their place is under a high state of cultivation and as the result of their care and labor the well- tilled fields yield to them an excellent return. Miles K. Brown has attended the Baptist church, and is a stanch Republican in politics. In manner he is genial and affable, and both brothers are regarded as reliable business men, who command the high esteem of all whom they have been brought in contact.