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HAMILTON BROWNING Coshocton county has been signally favored in the class of men who have occupied its public offices. Among the number whose records are creditable to themselves and satisfactory to their constituents is Hamilton Browning, now serving as county sheriff. He was born in Franklin township, this county, on the 7th of June, 1851, and is a son of James and Rebecca (Elson) Browning. His father's birth occurred in Maryland, March 4, 1813, and as a young man he came to Coshocton county, being one of the early settlers of Franklin township. He had learned and followed the millwright's trade in his native state, but soon after coming to Ohio he turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits and was identified with the farming interests of Franklin township until the death of his wife, which occurred in 1872. Soon afterward he removed to Tuscarawas township, where he resided until called to his final rest on the 14th of October, 1887. In the meantime he had again married, his second union being with Mrs. Mary Jennings, who was he widow of Reuben Jennings and still survives Mr. Browning. In his political views he was a republican and, while without ambition for public office, he was active in support of many measures of the general good along political and other lines. Hamilton Browning, like the great majority of men who have worked their way upward in commercial, industrial, professional and other lines, spent his boyhood upon a farm and began his education in the district schools. Following his mother's death he started out in life on his own account and in 1873 began work at the carpenter's trade. He seemed to possess natural taste and ability along mechanical lines and entered the employ of his brother-in-law, under whom he mastered the business, becoming an expert workman. While Mr. Browning owned and occupied a farm of one hundred and seventy-five acres in Lafayette township and supervised his agricultural interests, his time was given to carpentering and contracting and he thus prominently represented the building interests of the county until 1904. In the fall of 1903 he was elected to the office of county sheriff on the republican ticket, being the first member of his party chosen to the office in the county since 1854. That he proved capable and loyal was indicated by a reelection in 1905 and he is now serving for the second term, being one of the popular county officials of Coshocton county and one who in the discharge of his duties is as fearless as he is prompt and efficient. In February, 1879, Mr. Browning was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Craig, of Lafayette township, and unto them have been born two daughters: Emma Odessa, the wife of Ira F. Wiggins, a farmer of Lafayette township; and Bernice Alfreda, at home. Such in brief is the life record of Hamilton Browning, a native son of Coshocton county and one who in every relation of life has enjoyed the good will of many friends.
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