J. W. Brown. In reviewing the past thirty-five years of progress in Piqua and Miami Counties, Ohio, no name comes more strikingly to the fore than that of J. W. Brown. For many years, as proprietor of Piqua's leading department store, he has taken a leading part in the development of this community's civic and industrial life. Aligning himself definitely on the side of movements which he has thought made for the public good and advancement, his support to such movements has ever been eagerly sought and generously given. Mr. Brown is a native Ohioan, having been born at Athens, a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Hyde) Brown. He early realized the benefits to be derived from education, and applied himself assiduously to his books during the period of his attendance at the public schools of his native, community and at Athens College. When his scholastic training had been completed, he joined his father in business, who was a general merchant at Millfield. Subsequently father and son moved to Athens where they conducted a like establishment, and under the father's able guidance the son became well versed in the intricacies of the business. In 1885, desiring a larger field for the exercise of his talents, Mr. Brown came to Piqua where he established himself in business as the proprietor of a department store. This enterprise won the favor of the buying public, and through long years of adherence to an honorable business policy and an unfailing courtesy to customers, a large and profitable patronage has been built up. The success of the business is reflected in the present large store which bears Mr. Brown's name, and which is recognized as one of the leading concerns not only of Piqua, but of the county. In addition to his department store, Mr. Frown is connected with several other important business houses, being a director in the Piqua National Bank, the Piqua Savings Bank and the Piqua Handle Manufacturing Company, and is vice-president of the French Oil Machine Company, in all of which his judgment is held in high esteem by his associates. He is identified, also, with a number of social and civic bodies, and is accounted an active factor in the many avenues of enterprise that make up the life of the community. During the recent war he was an active worker in behalf of the patriotic movements, and was a generous supporter of the Government War Loans, the Red Cross, War Savings Stamp campaign and drives of a like nature . Mr. Brown married Miss Nettie Brooks, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Brooks, of Piqua, and they became the parents of one child.