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         HAMILTON BROWN, Sr., now deceased, one of the pioneers of Louisa County, was born in Ireland, and there resided until his tenth year, when, with his parents, he left his native land and came to America, locating in Preble County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood. He there formed the acquaintance of Miss Sarah Ramsey, who was born in the Buckeye State, and who afterward became his wife. He entered land in Preble County, cut down the trees, cleared away the brush, plowed the ground, planted his crops, and in the midst of the dense wilderness developed one of the first farms in that region. Making his home in Preble County until 1846, he then came with his family to Louisa County, locating on section 32, Morning Sun Township, where he made his home for forty-two years.

To Mr. and Mrs. Brown was born a family of . . .

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. . . fifteen children: John and James, both now deceased; Eliza, wife of John Sterrett, of Morning Sun Township; Robert, who died at the early age of two years; Thomas, who enlisted in the 1st Iowa Battery, and died from disease contracted while in the service; Hannah, wife of David Ferris, of Burlington, Iowa; Mary A., wife of Thomas R. Wilson; Martha, the deceased wife of John McCaw; Nancy, who is single; James, a resident of Polk County, Neb.; Ella, the deceased wife of Josiah Ferris; Margaret, who died in infancy; Frances, wife of Isaiah Ferris, who is living in Des Moines County; William, a resident of Morning Sun, and Preston, now deceased.

In early life Mr. and Mrs. Brown were members of the old-school Presbyterian church, but in later years joined the United Presbyterians. They were always active in church work, and he served as Ruling Elder for many years. His death occurred April 21, 1888, and his wife departed this life March 31, 1884. He was a man of sound judgment, unswerving integrity, and was well posted in the affairs of the country.