My Genealogy Hound

Hon. William P. Browning, a prominent farmer of Scotland County, was born in Pike County, Ill., December 3, 1838. He is one of four sons and two daughters born to Caleb and Penelope (Power) Browning. The father was born in Kentucky in 1800, and did not move to Pike County, Ill., until 1830, when he became one of the first settlers. He was very successful in his operations, and afterward removed to Iowa and finally, about 1878, removed to Kansas where he died. His wife had died in 1840, in Illinois, whither she had come from her native State — Kentucky. Our subject was only two years of age at her death, and lived with his brother on the old homestead until he reached his majority. His career as a teacher began when he was but eighteen years old, and was carried on in Brown and Macoupin Counties until his enlistment, August 3, 1861. He served in Company C, Twenty-seventh Illinois Infantry until September 20, 1864, when he was mustered out of service. He participated in the battles of Belmont, siege of Corinth, Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, and numerous other places; was commissioned second lieutenant in November, 1863; he was captured at Chickamauga, but escaped the next evening, and returned to his command in Chattanooga. At Mission Ridge he was shot through both legs, and was not afterward able to perform military duty. He came to Scotland County in April, 1865, and purchased a farm which he has since increased from 270 to 310 acres. He gives a greater part of his attention to stock-raising, especially cattle and mules. He has a fine barn also for this purpose, erected at a cost of $2,500. He was married, November 15, 1866, to S. E. Harrington, a native of Pike County, Ill., and daughter of Martin and Catherine Harrington. Their children are Alfred H., Charles P., Albert C., Martin P., Mary E. and Annie M. Both Mr. and Mrs. Browning are members of the Christian Church. He is a prominent, and in local affairs an independent, Republican, and served from 1868 to 1870 as a representative in the Legislature. He is recognized as one of the leading and influential citizens.