Interim Content

Browning, Orville Hickman

Biography

10 Feb. 1806–10 Aug. 1881. Lawyer, politician. Born at Cynthiana, Harrison Co., Kentucky. Son of Micajah Browning and Sarah Brown. Attended Augusta College, in Augusta, Bracken Co., Kentucky. Moved to Quincy, Adams Co., Illinois, ca. 1831, and practiced law. Served in Black Hawk War, 1832. Elected Illinois state senator, 1836–1840. Married Eliza H. Caldwell, 25 Feb. 1836, in Madison Co., Kentucky. Served as Illinois state representative, 1840–1844. Principal legal counsel for JS when he was arrested to be extradited to Missouri, June 1841. With law partner Nehemiah Bushnell, represented New York firm seeking repayment for prior debts owed by JS, 1841. Delegate to first Republican National Convention, 1856. Appointed U.S. senator to fill vacancy created after death of Stephen A. Douglas, 1861. Appointed secretary of the interior by President Andrew Johnson, 1866. Died at Quincy.

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