BIOGRAPHY: Thomas Samuel 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.

THOMAS SAMUEL BROWNING, son of Jonathan and Ann Emmett Browning, was born in
Ogden, Utah, April 15, 1860. He received his education in the public schools
of Ogden, as a young man he was always intensely active in athletic sports,
and was noted as one of the best baseball players in Utah, often assisting the
Salt Lake City baseball club in some of its most important games with clubs
from other states.

He was always an ambitious worker, and took pleasure in helping his father in
his various enterprises, working in his father's tannery, brick yard and other
activities. After the death of his father he worked for the railroad company
for some time, and in 1881 he went to Arizona, locating in St. Johns, and for
some time while there carried the U. S. mail between Fort Apache, Arizona, and
Zuni, New Mexico; this was during the Indian uprising in Northern Arizona, and
he passed through some trying and very dangerous times of that period. He
returned to Ogden in 1882.

On January 13, 1886, he married Kate Baugh, daughter of George and Elizabeth
(Fedreyhough) Baugh, and there was born to them nine children, viz.: Oetta A.,
Irma E., Kate 0., Jonathan S., Florence M., George L., James B., Francis B.
and Howard F. Mrs. Kate Browning died in Ogden, Utah, December 20, 1910.

Mr. Browning married Dora Peterson, daughter of Larentz and Christene (Nelson)
Peterson, November 8, 1917, and they have two children, viz.: Beth and Dale.

Mr. Browning was associated with his brothers in Browning Brothers Company, in
the manufacture of guns and selling sporting goods of every description. From
1888 to 1900 he was manager of the Salt Lake City branch of the Browning
Company. During 1894-97 he served as a missionary for the Mormon Church to New
Zealand, and upon his return served a short time as bishop of the Third Ward
of Salt Lake City, until Browning Brothers Company sold their Salt Lake City
branch store, and he returned to Ogden and acted as purchasing agent and sales
manager for the company until 1916.

In 1907 he was appointed to the City Council of Ogden, and later elected for
another term. In 1911 he was elected as a commissioner in the first city
commission form of government for Ogden. He was elected mayor of Ogden and
served during 19181919. During his term as mayor among the noted visitors were
King Albert of Belgium and President Woodrow Wilson. For the entertainment of
King Albert Mr. Browning received the decoration of the Order of Leopold II,
and was also presented with a beautiful gold medal. He was elected and served
as a member of the State Legislature of 1923-25.

During the World war Mr. Browning was a member of the executive committee of
the State Council of Defense, and also a member of the local Draft Board.

Mr. Browning has always been active in his religious duties in the Mormon
Church, and he served as president of the High Priests Quorum of the Weber
Stake for nearly twenty years.

Having disposed of his interest in the Browning Brothers Company in 1916, Mr.
Browning has retired to the management of his private affairs.

Mr. Thomas Samuel Browning has always been active in the upbuilding and
welfare of Ogden City and because of the clean life he has lived, and on
account of his sterling qualities for absolute honesty, integrity and his
honorable and fair dealing with every one he has gained the honor and
admiration of the entire community.