William S. Brown was born circa 1828-29 in Virginia, wife Amy Strange was born about 1832 in Ohio. They were living in Madison Township, Highland County, Ohio, in 1850, and the census that year indicated they were recently married.  Amy is found as Anna in the 1860 and 1870 censuses.

The birthplaces of their children indicate William and Amy spent time in Illinois in the mid-1850s. There is evidence they may have been in Hancock County: at least one of their ten children, Lydia, is said to have been born in (or near) Carthage.

After leaving Illinois they lived in Des Moines County, Iowa, for 10 plus years.  They were counted there in both the 1860 and 1870 Federal Censuses.  By 1880 they were back in Hancock County, living in Hancock Township.  It appears they remained in Hancock County for the rest of their days.

William apparently died between 1880 and 1900; Amy died after June 1, 1900.

The children of William S. Brown and Amy Strange were:

i.	Benjamin Brown, born between 1850 and 1851, perhaps in Madison Township, Highland County, Ohio.
ii.	Lydia Jane Brown, born August 21, 1855, in or near Carthage, Hancock County.  She died March 11, 1947, in the vicinity of Denver, Colorado.
iii.	Thomas W. Brown, born about 1858 in Illinois.
iv.	Kezia Brown, born January 15, 1861, in Des Moines County, Iowa, near Burlington.  She died December 29, 1943, in Blandinsville, McDonough County, Illinois, and was buried at Majorville Cemetery, Hancock County.
v.	John Brown, born about 1865 in Iowa, perhaps in Burlington, Des Moines County.  He died after March 11, 1947.  At that time he was said to be living in Galesburg, Knox County, Illinois.
vi.	Lewis H. Brown, born about 1868 in Iowa, perhaps in Burlington, Des Moines County.  He died after March 11, 1947.  At that time he was said to be living in Ft. Madison, Lee County, Iowa.
vii.	Eliza Brown, born about 1872 in Iowa.  She was said to be living in Keokuk, Iowa, as of March 11, 1947.
viii. ix. x.	In the 1900 Federal Census, Amy reported she was the mother of 10 children, only 7 of whom were living.

William Brown, 21, male, farmer, born VA, married within the year, could not read or write
Amey, 18, female, born OH, married within the year

William Brown, 33, male, farmer, value of personal estate 120, born VA
Anna, 27, female, born OH, could not read or write
Benjamin, 9, male, born OH, [no schooling indicated]
Lidia J, 5, female, born IL
Thomas, 2, male, born IL

Brown, Wm, 41, male, white, farmer, value of personal estate 100, born VA, male citizen of the U.S. aged 21 or more
Anna, 39, female, white, keeping house, born OH
Benj, 20, male, white, at home born OH
Lydia J, 15, female, white, at home, born IL
Thos, 12, male, white, at school, born IL, attended school within the year
Kissiah,10, female, white, at school, born IL, attended school within the year

Brown, William S, white, male, 51, married, farmer, born VA, both parents born VA
Amy, white, female, 48, wife, married, keeping house, born OH, both parents born VA
Thomas W, white, male, 22, son, single, farmer, born IL, father born VA, mother born OH
John, white, male, 14, son, single, farmer, attended school within the year, born IA, father born VA, mother born OH
Lewis H, white, male, 11, son, single, farmer, attended school within the year, born IA, father born VA, mother born OH
Eliza J, white, female, 8, daughter, single, born IA
John, 5, male, white, born IA
Louis H, 2, male, white, born IA

Patterson, Marion, head, white, male, June 1859, 40, married for 10 years, born IL, both parents born TN, farmer, months not employed - 4, could not read or write, spoke English, rented his farm home, farm schedule 105

Eliza A, wife, white, female, July 1872, 28, married for 10 years, mother of 0 children, born IA, father born VA, mother born OH, could read, write and speak English

Brown, Amy, mother-in-law, white, female, Aug 1833, 66, widow; mother of 10 childen, 7 living; born OH, father born OH, mother born VA, could read, write and speak English