ILFRANKL-L Archives

Archiver > ILFRANKL > 2001-01 > 0978383525


From: "Sheldon Jones" <>
Subject: RE: BROWNING in Franklin Co
Date: Mon, 1 Jan 2001 14:12:05 -0700


Regina,
I'm sure you will get some "real" BROWNING researchers to
give you more details - but I show the BROWNINGS that
came into FCI (before it was even IL)... came
from Halifax, NC through TN and then to FCI area...

-SRJ

this obit covers a lot:
28 July 1905: Died at his home in Benton, Illinois Saturday, July 22nd,
1905, Levi BROWNING, aged 84y 9m 5d. Old and full of years, he was gathered
to his fathers, like a ripe sheaf of wheat, with his beloved wife, his
children and grandchildren around him. What great changes he saw! Almost a
hundred years, the lifetime of three generations.
Levi BROWNING's father was John BROWNING, a Missionary Baptist minister,
who was born in North Carolina in 1781, moving to Tennessee and coming from
that state to Illinois in 1804 and moved into the Jordon Fort to be safe
from the Indians. this fort was three miles south of Fitts Hill. John
BROWNING acted as guard for the mal carrier from Kaskaskia to Shawneetown
twice a week for some time. His wife was Nancy KITCHEN BROWNING. John's
family was large and he has 150 descendants living. His children who arrived
at maturity were:
Luke BROWNING, the eldest.
Polly BROWNING KING, mother of William and Willis KING and Mary A. PIPER.
Betsey Ann KING, mother of Mrs. Sidney HANEY and Mrs. Sallie COOK.
William R. BROWNING, father of D.M. BROWNING (deceased), W.R., J.M. and
L.A. BROWNING of St. Louis, Mo.; Mrs. MOBERLY of Chicago; Mrs. LOPAS
(deceased) of Texas) and Mrs. SCHWARTZ of Idaho.
James K. BROWNING, twin brother of William R.; father of Mrs. L.F. REA,
W.R. BROWNING Jr.; Senator J.K. BROWNING of Arkansas;
Robert F. BROWNING, whose family is now in California; and
Mrs. Fannie BRAY, deceased, California.
Martha BROWNING (Mrs. Patsey MOORE), mother of Levi M. JONES, Joseph MOORE
and M.V. JONES, of Christopher; and William MOORE, deceased.
Levi BROWNING.
Jonathan BROWNING, father of Treasurer W.R. BROWNING, Ellsworth and Sherman
BROWNING, Mrs. C.F. REA; Carroll BROWNING; Mrs. Leanna ROBINSON of
Colorado; Andrew P. BROWNING; Mrs. Augustine MARTIN; and John A. BROWNING,
deceased.
Joseph BROWNING, a twin brother of Jonathan; father of Warren BROWNING.
Bennett A. BROWNING, father of Mrs. F.D. PUGH of St. Louis.
William R. and James K. BROWNING, twins, were the first white children born
in Franklin County, IL. John was the first person baptized in the Big Muddy
River.
John BROWNING finally settled on the Browning Hill, where Levi was born in
1820. The property has been in the Browning family ever since and always
will be.
In 1840 Levi came to Benton, where he lived until his death. He soon
engaged in the mercantile business, selling goods on the old NAYLOR corner.
He had to haul his good here from St. Louis on wagons. He frequently went to
St. Louis on horseback. In 1848 he built the first sawmill in the county. In
1852 he built the first steam flour mill in the county, on West street in
Benton. He built the first ice house in the county. He was a miller until
1860, when he became a merchant again and kept his store going until he
finally retired from business in 1888.
In 1853 Levi married Fannie HOWELL of St. Clair county, who died in 1854,
leaving no children, her infant son dying about two weeks before its mothers
death.
In 1856 Levi married Miss Tabitha LAYMAN, who survives. There was born to
this union eight children. The oldest, Florence, died at the age of four.
Surviving are: Lulu B. WARD, Quincy E., Thomas S., and John L. BROWNING,
Mrs. F.J. HICKMAN, Mrs. L.E. CHENAULT and Miss Nancy BROWNING.
Levi helped lay out the city of Benton and attended the first sale of town
lots. He was identified from the first in the development of the county and
town. He helped in establishing the Standard (newspaper). He went to Chicago
on horseback, when Chicago was a village.
On the fourth Saturday in August 1841, Levi BROWNING joined the Missionary
Baptist Church. He meant it and for 64 years was a most active member. He
gave of his means and time. He was one of the small number that organized
the Franklin Baptist Association. He helped to start and support two Baptist
papers. His house was a home for all ministers of any denomination and for
all visiting brethren. He never refused charity to anyone. He built and gave
away more houses than most men own in a lifetime. He was a man of most even
temper and his kindness of heart was proverbial.
Funeral services were held Sunday in the church he loved so well, Eld.
COLE, who had known him since boyhood, and Eld. W.H. CARNER, officiating.
The casket was covered with flowers and emblems. He was laid to rest at
Masonic and Oddfellows Cemetery to await the resurrection of the just.
(Obituary Written by A.M. BROWNLEE)



> -----Original Message-----
> From: [mailto:]
> Sent: Sunday, December 31, 2000 6:08 AM
> To:
> Subject: BROWNING in Franklin Co
>
>
> Could someone tell me if the BROWNING family of Franklin Co, IL, was from KY
> at one time? I have a BROWNING in the family who married Della Myrtle STOUT
> from KY, but I don't know if they ever migrated to IL.
> Thanks for any help.
> Regina
>

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