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Daniel M. Browning, Past Grand Master of Masons, of Illinois, was born in Benton, where he now resides, October 11, 1846. He was married, in 1868, to Tirzah Bell Nayor, of Cincinnati. They have three children. Our subject is the son of William R. and Lydia Browning, natives respectively of this and Jackson Counties. The father, circuit and county clerk, and county judge and merchant, was born in 1810, and died in 1866.

Daniel M. received an academic education, and began the study of law at an early age. He graduated with distinction from the law department of the State University of Indiana, in February, 1866, and, after examination before the Illinois Supreme Court in June, was admitted to the bar before he was twenty years of age. He was elected county judge in November, 1869, when twenty-three years of age, and re-elected in 1873 and 1877 without opposition, which position he resigned upon being elected circuit judge of the First Judicial Circuit in 1879.

He is of fine personal appearance, and has a reputation for suavity, dignity, learning and good sense rarely equaled. Since June, 1885, he has been engaged in the practice of law at Benton. His Masonic career began with his initiation into Benton Lodge, No. 64, in 1868. He served as Worshipful Master five terms, between the years 1870 and 1878. In 1774 he was District Deputy Grand Master of the Twenty eighth Masonic District. During the years 1875-77, he was chairman of the appeals and grievances committee in the Grand Lodge, for which he had qualifications promptly recognized. In 1878 he was elected Junior Grand Warden, and step by step he advanced until elected Grand Master in October, 1882. He was re-elected in 1883, serving with great ability and to the satisfaction of 40,000 Illinois Masons. Judge Browning is of exceptionally good social qualities, and those who have met him can bear testimony to the good cheer with

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which he is constantly surrounded. As a Mason and citizen he is the peer of the best.