Thomas C. Brown is extensively and successfully engaged in farming and in the breeding of blooded stock. He owns one of the finest stock farms in the county and in the capable control of his business affairs has gained a place among the most substantial citizens of his community.

His parents were Benjamin F. and Mary C. (Hilliard) Brown, and on the maternal side he is descended from one of the oldest families in Miami county. The Browns, too, were early settlers; and the father of our subject, Benjamin F. Brown, was born on the old family homestead, in what is now Washington township, December 11, 1811. There he was reared to manhood, attending the subscription schools. He became a well-to-do farmer, inheriting a share of the old homestead, after which he purchased the interest of the other heirs. Thus he became the owner of one hundred and six acres of valuable land, which had been entered by his father, and to this he added a tract of one hundred and twenty-six acres. He married Miss Mary C. Hilliard, who was born on the old Hilliard farm, Spring Creek township, that property now being included within the corporation limits of Piqua. Her father, Joseph Hilliard, came to the Buckeye state from Pennsylvania. Her grandfather, John Hilliard, made a temporary location at Will Creek, and, as soon as he believed it to be safe to venture into the forest beyond, and not incur the danger of death at the hands of the savages, he came to Miami county and entered the land now comprising section 30, Spring Creek township. There he cleared a little tract and built a log hut, and on the 4th of April, 1797, he moved into that rude cabin with his family. Being an aged man, he could not endure the hardships of pioneer life and his health soon failed him. He was laid to rest in a lovely spot in the midst of the forest, his being the first death and first burial in that part of the county.

Benjamin F. Brown, the father of our subject, made farming his life work and died on the old homestead May 2, 1887. He was a very energetic and enterprising man, possessed of much natural ability, and was highly esteemed as an honored citizen who withheld his support from no measure which he believed would prove of public benefit. He took a very active interest in township affairs and donated the ground on which was erected what is now known as the Brown school. He held public office throughout the greater part of his life, serving as county commissioner from 1856 until 1862, and again from 1870 until 1876. In that capacity he largely promoted the welfare of his town and county, doing all in his power to secure advancement along social, educational, material and moral lines. In early life he voted with the Whig party, and on its dissolution he joined the ranks of the new Republican party, continuing under its banner throughout the remainder of his life. He died May 2, 1887; and his wife, a devout member of the Baptist church, passed away on the 16th of March, 1897. They had four children: Joseph H., who served on the ironclad Carondelet on the Red river expedition under Porter, was taken ill with typhoid fever and died in 1864; Nancy J., then wife of Alanson Hamilton, of Piqua; Thomas C. and Clara F. are the other members of the family.

Thomas C. Brown was born upon the old home farm, March 29, 1845, and was there reared to manhood, amid pleasant surroundings and good home influences. Having acquired his preliminary education in the Brown school-house, he afterward pursued his studies in the high school of Piqua and was for one term a student in the commercial college at Dayton. The work of the farm occupied his time and attention when not engaged with his school studies, and proved an excellent preparation for his life work. After his marriage he rented the home farm for a time and now owns that property. In connection with the cultivation of the fields, he has carried on stock raising, and is one of the leading stock dealers of Miami county. His large barn, built in octagon shape, is one of the most extensive and best equipped in this section of the state. He has every convenience necessary to promote his stock raising interests. He has raised some very fine trotting horses and owns the stallion Syrian, one of the best bred animals in Ohio, and also the stallion Delegate, with a record of 2:19 1/2.

In Somerville, Massachusetts, on the 16th of February, 1876, Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Alice E. Sawyer, who was born in Charlestown, Massachusetts, a daughter of Seth Sawyer, a well known hotel proprietor of that place. Mrs. Brown's childhood home was very near Bunker Hill monument and during her girlhood days she often romped and played upon the old historical battle ground. By her marriage she became the mother of two children: Frank B., who died at the age of twelve years; and Susan, who is now in school.

In his political views Mr. Brown is a Republican who firmly advocates the principles of the party and does all in his power to promote its growth and insure its success. He is a reliable business man, a genial gentleman, and his home is noted for his generous hospitality. Throughout his entire life he has resided in Miami county and is both widely and favorably known among its citizens.