Mary E Thomas was the second daughter of Samuel and Susan Thomas. She was born in Creston County, Virginia on July 16, 1850. In 1858 her parents moved to Iowa County, Iowa. In this state and county she grew to womanhood and reared her family. She was married to Merritt S. Brown on December 26, 1871 and settled in the old homestead three miles west of town. To this union were born six daughters and two sons, two having died. The living are Mrs. C G. Hall at the old home, Miss Mary F, Buffalo, Wyoming, Miss Avo Carson, Wash.; Carrie S., Maude, and Norval, North English. Her husband, two sisters, five daughters and one son survive her. Her sisters, Mrs. John Ryan, Parnell, and Mrs. C.C. Wetherel, Carson, Wash. Mrs. Brown had been in feeble health for months and on the 15th of June she accompanied with her two daughters Mary and Avo went to Washington. For a time there seemed to hope but the disease was too strongly entrenched and the body too feeble. On the 28th of July her husband was telegraphed and on the 29th he arrived. He reached her just before she died. It was in the early morn August 15th, she found rest. Her age was 64 years, 20 days. She was a great sufferer but her life was beautiful. Her devotion sincere and untiring. She loved only as a wife and mother can. She lived well and her fruit remains. Her end was peaceful. By her bedside was her husband, two daughters, and sister when the end came. She was united with the church in 1865 and for years has been preparing for the last trying hour. Ties have been broken but not forever. May the fragrance of her life keep these dear children in the ways of truth until the record for all still be complete and ties broken on earth be united in heaven. May the comforter be ever near the bereaved father and husband. We lay her poor body to rest, dust it was and to dust returneth, but the soul, the self, the person, lives and dwells in eternal joy.