OHBrowning

Orville Hickman Browning was born in Harrison County, Kentucky, on February 10, 1806. He attended Augusta College in Kentucky where he studied law and was admitted to the bar.

Moving to Quincy in 1831, he and wife Eliza, whom he married on February 25, 1836, resided at an elegant home at the southwest corner of Eighth and Hampshire Streets. In 1832 he served in the Black Hawk War. He was elected in 1836 to the Illinois Senate from Adams County.

As a member of the state legislature and a Whig, Browning was closely associated with fellow Whig Abraham Lincoln. The two shared many political and philosophical ideals. Unquestionably, Browning became one of Lincoln’s closest friends.

In 1860 Browning made important contacts that helped Lincoln secure the Republican nomination for President. He campaigned eagerly for his friend and made many speeches on his behalf. The two men visited frequently in Springfield during the campaign.

After being elected, Lincoln urged Browning to accompany him to Washington for the inauguration, but because of prior commitments Browning went with the President-elect only as far as Indianapolis. Browning was one of several people to whom Lincoln showed his draft inaugural address seeking suggestions and criticism. Browning recommended a change that Lincoln adopted. He removed a section that appeared provocative toward the South as Lincoln wanted to establish a more conciliatory tone.

Following the death of Stephen A. Douglas in June 1861, Governor Richard Yates appointed Browning to the Illinois senatorial seat. Already a close confidant and advisor to the President, Browning became Lincoln’s “personal pipeline” regarding Senate activities. Browning played a meaningful behind-the-scenes role in the so-called cabinet crisis of 1862.

Quincy Friends

Orville Hickman Browning

In February 1862 in the time surrounding the death of the Lincoln’s son Willie, the Brownings, Orville and Eliza, were in almost constant attendance at the White House at the request of the Lincolns. The Brownings made the funeral arrangements for Willie. The Lincoln family needed the solace which their close friends from Illinois could provide.

Browning’s influence with Lincoln resulted in the appointment of many individuals f OHBrowning rom Illinois to political and military positions. By the conclusion of the war, fifty-three Illinois generals had been appointed, many due to Browning’s recommendations.

In 1863 Browning was succeeded in the Senate by his fellow Quincyan William A. Richardson. Browning spent much of the remainder of the time of the Civil War in Washington and Illinois.

Lincoln scholars are forever indebted to Browning for the diary he kept. That source document has provided highly important insights into Lincoln’s thoughts, moods and concerns. Lincoln trusted Browning so completely that he revealed his innermost thoughts to his friend without fear that his confidences would be made public. Browning’s diary is published in two volumes in Illinois Historical Collections.

After Lincoln’s death, Browning served as Secretary of Interior in the cabinet of Andrew Johnson. During impeachment proceedings against Johnson, Browning also served temporarily as Attorney General, thus having the unprecedented distinction of holding two cabinet portfolios at the same time.

After he returned to Quincy, Browning and wife Eliza took up residence at Eighth and Spruce Streets. He resumed the practice of law at Browning and Bushnell, his office located at 122 Hampshire.

Browning died in Quincy on August 10, 1881, and he is interred in Lot 18-19 at Woodland Cemetery.
– Warren Speckhart

City of Quincy Lincoln Bicentennial Commission 706 Maine Quincy, Illinois 62301