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Below is a family biography included in the book, The History of Lauderdale County, Tennessee published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1886.  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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Ron. Richard H. Browning, a prominent planter of the northern part of Lauderdale County, was born in Williamson County, Tenn., about midway between Franklin and Nashville, December 16, 1835. His father, L. Browning, was born in Edinboro, Scotland, in 1800, and emigrated to America when eighteen years old. After remaining a short time at Philadelphia, he came to Nashville, where he sold goods until 1835. He married Lucinda Hightower, daughter of Richard Hightower, one of the respected and well-known farmers of that section. Two sons and two daughters were born to them, our subject being the youngest child. The mother was born in Williamson County, and died in Hardeman County, in 1836. The father was a man of extensive reading and broad ideas; he was fully informed upon all political subjects, and might have commanded the popular support in politics, but preferred a quiet life. In 1835 he moved to Hardeman County, settling in the northwestern portion of the county, and farmed until his death in October, 1857. Our subject was raised on a farm, and completed his education at Bethel College. He married in Lauderdale County, March 20, 1861, Miss Margaret J. Wright, a daughter of Edward Wright, a native of Virginia, and a well-known farmer of Lauderdale. To this marriage were born Stella V., Mary L., Edward Marvin, and Cordy Ethel. Mrs. Browning was born in Lauderdale County, August, 1838. Mr. Browning is a Democrat and cast his first vote for Jno. C. Breckinridge, and gave his vote and influence in favor of secession, believing it best and believing that the State under the Constitution of the United States, had a right to this prerogative. He enlisted in the Confederate Army, and was mustered into cavalry service September 21, 1861, at Columbus, Ky., and belonged to Capt. R. W. Haywood’s company, which was afterward Company D, Seventh Tennessee Regiment, under Col. Jackson. He served under Gens. Chalmers and Forrest, and was in all the battles his company fought in, and was surrendered by Forrest, May 8, 1865, at Gainesville, Ala. Mr. Browning represented his county in the Forty-fourth General Assembly of the State, and proved a useful, efficient representative. Mr. and Mrs. Browning are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He owns 600 acres of land; 300 under cultivation. He raises stock, but gives his chief attention to cotton, and is one of the practical, influential citizens of the county.

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This family biography is one of 116 biographies included in the book,  The History of Lauderdale County, Tennessee published in 1886 by Goodspeed.  The History of Lauderdale County was included within The History of Lauderdale, Tipton, Haywood, and Crockett Counties of Tennessee. For the complete description, click here: History of Lauderdale, Tipton, Haywood, and Crockett Counties, Tennessee

View additional Lauderdale County, Tennessee family biographies here: Lauderdale County, Tennessee

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