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Below is a family biography included in The History of Miami County, Ohio published by W. H. Beers & Co. in 1880.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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JOHN BROWN, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. New Carlisle; was born in Frederick Co., Md., June 25, 1819; his father, Thomas Brown, was also born in the same county and State in 1795; he married Susan McAfee, a native of Pennsylvania; in 1838, they came to Bethel Township, where his death occurred Dec. 27, 1854; his wife having survived him a number of years, died May 16, 1867, in her 78th year. Our subject came to Ohio with his parents in 1838, and followed the occupation of coopering and farming until 1855, at which date he purchased 300 acres of his present place, to which he has since added until he now owns some 425 acres, nearly all of which he has accumulated by his own hard labor and industry; he has now one of the best farms in Miami Co., with improvements and buildings second to none; has a fine brick residence, surrounded by a pretty lawn dotted here and there with trees and shrubbery, with neat and even walks leading to and fro, and a beautiful fountain, tossing high its spray; the arrangement and order of all displaying much taste and labor. The writer, when directed to the farm, was told that he would know it by its village-like appearance, so numerous and nice were the buildings. He now has 350 acres under cultivation, and gives employment to a number of men, one of whom has been in his employ twenty-three, and another twenty-two years. Mr. Brown, for many years, has dealt largely in stock, shipping extensively to Cincinnati, Boston and Eastern markets; also, at the same time was engaged in burning lime, which he yet continues, Dayton being his market; he is also the senior member of the firm of John Brown & Sons, manufacturers of Iron Monitor Wind Engines, etc., etc. In fact, we can say of Mr. Brown, his life has been a busy and successful one, and we trust that he may be spared many years to enjoy the fruits of his labors. He was united in marriage with Catharine Blickinstaff March 28, 1843; she was born in Frederick Co., Md., March 4, 1821, and came to Monroe Township with her father, Christian Blickinstaff, in 1836; her mother’s maiden name was Catharine Hawver. Mr. Blickinstaff died Dec. 1, 1869, in the 86th year of his age, and Mrs. Blickinstaff died April 5, 1859, in her 75th year. The children of John and Catharine Brown were four sons and two daughters, of whom three sons and one daughter survive- L. Tobias (who married Sarah M., daughter of Jacob Shroyer), Hattie L., John O. (married Mary Alice, daughter of John McConnaughey), the two older sons being partners with their brother in the manufacture and sale of Iron Monitor Wind Engines.

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This family biography is one of 964 biographies included in The History of Miami County, Ohio published in 1880 by W. H. Beers & Co.  For the complete description, click here: Miami County, Ohio History and Genealogy

View additional Miami County, Ohio family biographies here: Miami County, Ohio Biographies

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