Orville Browning
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Orville Hickman Browning (1806 - 1881)

Orville Hickman Browning
Born in Cynthiana, Kentucky, United Statesmap
Ancestors ancestors
[sibling(s) unknown]
Husband of — married 25 Feb 1836 in Madison County, Kentuckymap
[children unknown]
Died at age 75 in Quincy, Adams, Illinois, United Statesmap
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Profile last modified | Created 7 Jun 2016
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Preceded by
8th Secretary
James Harlan




Preceded by
Stephen A. Douglas

Orville Hickman Browning
9th US Secretary
of the Interior
1866—1869

US Senator (Class 2)
from Illinois
Seal of the US Senate
1861—1863
Succeeded by
10th Secretary
Jacob Dolson Cox




Succeeded by
William Alexander Richardson

Biography

Notables Project
Orville Browning is Notable.

A history of the bar of Quincy would form an interesting volume, and to do full justice to the eminent me» whose achievements in jurisprudence have shed lustre upon that distinguished body, would be a work worthy the most gifted pen in the land. Here many of the ablest and most erudite lawyers of Illinois won their first laurels, and began the conflict of life in which they have won renown, reflecting credit and honor alike upon themselves and their chosen state.

Pre-eminent among these chieftains of the bar whose fame has become national stands Hon. O. H. Browning, the subject of this sketch. As early as 1831 Mr. Browning left his native state, Kentucky, and armed with his license, located in Quincy as a member of the bar. With a clear mind, full of industry and energy, he was not slow in merging into prominence, even among the great intellects who were accustomed to make the tour of this circuit — which then embraced Quincy, Chicago, Galena, &c. His reputation once established, a lucrative practice rewarded his fidelity and industry, and political honors sought him.

In August, 1836, he was elected to the Senate of Illinois, and served four years in that body. About this time Nehemiah Bushnell, his present law partner, arrived in Quincy, and in 1837 the law partnership was formed, which has continued 32 years, and still exists. In 1842 Mr. Browning was again elected to the State Legislature, serving two years as a member of the House. He however allowed nothing to divert his attention from his law practice, but devoted himself assiduously to the interests of his clients. With the intermission of making unsuccessful canvasses, as the Whig candidate for Congress, Mr. Browning, figured but little in the political arena from 1844 to 1861.

Upon the death of Judge Douglas, Governor Yates selected Mr. Browning as the fittest person to succeed that lamented statesman in the Senate of the United States. Retiring from the Senate he opened a law office at the National Capital, associating himself with Senator Cowan of Pennsylvania. He continued there until 1866, when President Johnson reorganizing his Cabinet, called Mr. Browning to the responsible position of Secretary of the Interior. This position ho retained until the close of Mr. Johnson's term, administering its voluminous affairs with signal success. Re- turning home, Mr. Browning had determined on a period of retirement and rest, after the arduous labors devolving on him while a Cabinet Officer, but his old friends and fellow citizens again made a requisition upon his time and talent by electing him a member of the Constitutional Convention of Illinois.

Thus briefly we have noted some of the events in the life of one of the distinguished men of the country. — Quincy may well be proud of so eminent a citizen, who having filled the most exalted stations in the gift of the State and Nation retires the acknowledged peer of the greatest statesman of his time.[1]

Sources

  1. History of Quincy and Its Men of Mark, 1869




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