BIOGRAPHY: George Emmett Browning; Ogden, Weber co., Utah

Transcribed by W. David Samuelsen for The USGenWeb Archives Project
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History of Utah
The Storied Domain
A Documentary History of Utah's Eventual Career
by J. Cecil Alter
Vol. 2, published 1932 (expired copyright)
The American Historical Society, Inc.

GEORGE EMMETT BROWNING, son of Jonathan and Ann Emmett Browning, was born in
Ogden, Utah, August 1, 1866. His early youth was spent like the other children
in those days. When old enough he attended public school during the winter,
and in the summer time worked in his father's brick yard or herded cows on the
hills south and east of Ogden. His father died when he was thirteen years of
age, shortly after which he started working in the gunsmith shop for his
brothers John M. and Matthew S. After working for them a few years he and his
brother William W. started a little sporting goods store and gun shop of their
own, George attending to the business while William retained his position as a
printer. The business proved successful and in 1886 his brothers bought them
out, and George went to work for them as stenographer and bookkeeper in
Browning Brothers Sporting Goods business.

On January 26, 1887, he was married to Marianne Manning, daughter of Frederick
and Emily Wilson Manning, and the following children were born to them: George
Emmett, born November 5, 1888, married Margaret Tout and they have two
children, Margaret and Emmett F. Vera E. was born December 25, 1889, and
married Dr. Angus W. Petty. They have two children, Marian B. and George B.
Mariane I. was born August 19, 1894, and married Gian Luca Cicogna Mozzoni, of
Milan, Italy. They have two children, Ludovico B. C. and Gian C. F. Harold L.,
born August 30, 1896, married Mary Fisher. F. Wallace was born March 12, 1899,
married Louese Meadows, and they have one daughter, Joanne L. Roland S. was
born June 25, 1901, married Thelma Budge and they have one son, Gene B.

Mrs. Browning has been a wonderful wife and mother and is held in the highest
esteem and respect by her many friends. She has been active in the affairs of
her church for many years. She served as president of the Relief Society of
the Second Ward, Ogden, for several years and as president of the Weber Stake
Relief Society.

Mr. Browning was called to go on a mission to the Samoan Islands and left home
November 5, 1890, leaving his wife and two children at home. He learned the
Samoan language, and lived and labored among those people for three years. He
was chosen by President Wilford Woodruff as president of the Sa
moan Mission, which position he occupied the last year and a half of his stay
on the Islands, and returned home in November, 1893.

Upon his return he started again with Browning Brothers Company large gun and
sporting goods business, as manager, where he remained with his four brothers,
John M., Matthew S., Jonathan E. and T. Samuel, and they all worked very
harmoniously together. In January 1916 he disposed of his interest in the
business to J. M. and M. S.

In 1916, with three associates, he promoted and built the Peopies Sugar
Company's factory at Maroni, Utah, and acted as its president until it went
out of business in 1930.

In 1916 he built the Browning Apartment Building where he and Mrs. Browning
now reside.

He has held many positions of public trust. Upon the death of his brother
William W., September 1, 1919, who was postmaster at Ogden, he was appointed
acting postmaster, which position he held for two years.

On November 3, 1925, he was elected, by a large majority, as mayor of Ogden
City, in which office he served with fidelity and distinction for two years.

Mr. Browning has always been very active in the affairs of the Mormon Church,
from his boyhood up, and has served in practically every organization in the
church. He was chosen bishop of the Ogden Second Ward October 14, 1917, and
served in that office until November 27, 1920, when President Lewis W.
Shurtluff selected him as one of his counselors in the stake presidency, and
upon the demise of President Shurtliff he was chosen and set apart by
President Heber `J. Grant as president of the Weber Stake on May 21, 1922,
which responsible position he still occupies, and he is also now serving as
president of the board of trustees of the Weber Seminary, vice president of
the board of trustees of the Thomas D. Dee Memorial Hospital and a member of
the Weber College and the Weber Gymnasium board of trustees, 1932.

Mr. and Mrs. Browning have done considerable traveling and in January, 1928,
took a Mediterranean cruise, visiting many countries. In Egypt, besides many
other places of great interest, they visited the great ruins of Luxor, Karnak,
Thebes and the Valley o the Tombs of the Kings, and with others went into the
tomb of King Tutankahmen, and they were greatly interested in their travels
through Palestine.