Hon. Richard H. Browning, a prominent planter of the northern part of
Lauderdale County, was born in Williamson County, Tenn., about midway between
Franklin and Nashville, December 16, 1835. His father, L. Browning, was born
in Edinboro, Scotland, in 1800, and emigrated to America when eighteen years
old. After remaining a short time at Philadelphia, he came to Nashville, where
he sold goods until 1835. He married Lucinda Hightower, daughter of Richard
Hightower, one of the respected and well-known farmers of that section. Two
sons and two daughters were born to them, our subject being the youngest
child. The mother was born in Williamson County, and died in Hardeman County
in 1836. The father was a man of extensive reading and broad ideas; he was
fully informed upon all political subjects, and might have commanded the
popular support in politics, but preferred the quiet life. In 1835 he moved to
Hardeman County, settling in the northwestern portion of the county, and
farmed until his death in October 1857. Our subject was raised on a farm, and
completed his education at Bethel College. He married in Lauderdale County,
March 20, 1861, Miss Margaret J. Wright, a daughter of Edward Wright, a native
of Virginia, and a well-known farmer of Lauderdale. To this marriage were born
Stella V., Mary L., Edward Marvin, and Cordy Ethel. Mrs. Browning was born in
Lauderdale County, August 1838. Mr. Browning is a Democrat and cast his first
vote for Jno. C. Breckinridge, and gave his vote and influence in favor of
secession, believing it best and believing that the State under the
Constitution of the United States, had a right to this prerogative. He
enlisted in the Confederate Army, and was mustered into cavalry service
September 21, 1861, at Columbus, Ky., and belonged to Capt. R. W. Haywood’s
company, which was afterward Company D, Seventh Tennessee Regiment, under Col.
Jackson. He served under Gens. Chalmers and Forrest, and was in all the
battles his company fought in, and was surrendered by Forrest, May 8, 1865, at
Gainesville, Ala. Mr. Browning represented his county in the Forty-fourth
General Assembly of the State, and proved a useful, efficient representative.
Mr. and Mrs. Browning are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He
owns 600 acres of land; 300 under cultivation.. He raises stock, but gives his
chief attention to cotton, and is one of the practical, influential citizens
of the county.

Goodspeed’s Biographies of Lauderdale Co., TN