Homesite of Judge James Nathan Browning
Amarillo, Potter County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Cowboy, lawyer, state official and jurist. Born in Arkansas, Browning received only a few months formal education, but taught himself by reading at night by the dim light of a pine knot. At 16, he came with his family to Cooke County, Texas, but later moved west to become a cowboy. His first job as a trail hand opened a nine-year career as a cattleman. His quick mind and desire for knowledge led him to begin the study of law with a law firm at Fort Griffin. Admitted to the Bar in 1876, he began a dual career of public service and private practice that continued through moves to Mobeetie, Clarendon and Amarillo. He was named first district attorney of the 31st Judicial District, a sprawling area taking in the entire Panhandle; he often had to ride hundreds of lonely miles to attend court. He was elected (1882) State Representative from the 43rd District (which included 69 counties). Re-elected in 1884, 1886, 1890, he became a popular champion of the rights of small farmers and settlers against big ranching interests. He served as Lieutenant Governor, 1898-1902; and on the Board of Regents, University of Texas, 1903-1907. From 1906 to 1914 he served as District Judge in Amarillo. Twice married, he had 10 children. (1969)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
James Nathan Browning taught himself by reading at night by the light of a pine knot, then rode west from Cooke County to spend nine years as a trail-driving cowboy before studying law at Fort Griffin. Admitted to the bar in 1876, he became the first district attorney of a Panhandle judicial district so vast he rode hundreds of miles to hold court, and won repeated election to the legislature as a champion of small farmers against big ranching interests. He capped his career as Lieutenant Governor from 1898 to 1902 and later as a district judge in Amarillo.
Why it matters
Browning's rise from illiterate cowhand to Lieutenant Governor embodies the self-made frontier ideal and the political struggles between homesteaders and cattle barons that defined the settling of the Texas Panhandle.
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Related people
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Themes & tags
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