My Genealogy Hound

J. M. BROWNING is the President of the Union Coal Company, and the leading merchant of Du Quoin. He was born in Franklin County, Ill., April 4, 1859, and is a son of William R. Browning, who was one of the pioneer merchants of Benton, and one of the leading citizens of that place. He took quite an active part in local politics, but was cut off from a useful career by his death in early manhood, in 1865. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Lydia Dry, was born in Perry County, Ill., and is now living in Franklin County. In their family were four sons who grew to manhood, the eldest being D. M., who was County Judge of Franklin County, and Circuit Judge of the district. He was upon the Bench for twelve years, and is recognized as one of the most able attorneys of southern Illinois. He is a leading Democratic politician, and is now commissioner of Indian affairs in Washington, D. C, to which position he was appointed by President Cleveland. William R. is a merchant of Benton, Ill., and L. A. is connected with the Eli Walker Dry Goods Company of St. Louis.

Mr. Browning whose name heads this record received his school privileges prior to the age of fifteen years, when he started out in life to make his own way in the world. Since that time he has been dependent upon his own resources, so that whatever success he has achieved through the past years is due to his own efforts. Coming to Du Quoin when a youth of fifteen, he began clerking in a store, where he was employed until eighteen years of age, when with the capital he had acquired through industry, economy and perseverance, he embarked in the grocery business on his own account. Since that time he has prospered, and although but a young man, of thirty-six years, he is one of the most extensive business men of Du Quoin, and aside from his store he is regarded as one of the wealthiest men of the county. He is now President of four large coal mines, which are operated under the name of the Union Mines, being associated in the ownership of the same with leading citizens of Du Quoin and St. Louis. He is also one of the owners of the Du Quoin Gas Works, is connected with a coal company of St. Louis, and has large property interests in Du Quoin.

In 1879 Mr. Browning was married to Miss Lillia Frizzell. Her father was a wealthy merchant of Du Quoin, but died when the daughter was quite young. She has one brother, J. H. Frizzell, an extensive clothing dealer of Du Quoin. Like the other members of his family, Mr. Browning is a Democrat, but has never sought or desired public office. Few men have done more to make Du Quoin the thriving city of today than our subject, and his name is inseparably connected with its upbuilding. At the age of fifteen, Mr. Browning started out in life for himself with no other capital than good health, a fair education, a sound judgment and a determination to succeed in whatever he undertook. Upon this foundation his fortune was built by his own labors.