HistoricSiteMarkers
Reconstruction & Gilded Age

Miller-Browning Colony

Junction, Kimble County, Texas

Marker Inscription

Located about one mile north in late 19th century. Composed of two families prominent in early Kimble County affairs. Started in 1874 by John and Martha Miller. Known as "Honest John," Miller joined frontier militia to fight Indians and served on first jury and second jury commission, county district court. Was elected justice of the peace, Precinct 4, in 1876. Colony also included families of A.P. Browning and William Miller. James A. Browning served longer as county official than any previous person. Descendants still reside in Kimble County. (1970)

Erected by Texas Historical Commission

The Story

In 1874 two families settled a small colony in the newly organized ranch country of Kimble County, joining the frontier militia and helping stand up the county's first courts and juries. Their patriarch, remembered by the nickname his neighbors gave him for his integrity, served as a justice of the peace, while a member of the allied family held county office longer than anyone before him. Descendants still live in the county today.

Why it matters

The story of these founding families captures how a handful of settlers built the civic institutions that turned raw frontier into a functioning county.

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Related people

  • · John Miller
  • · Martha Miller
  • · A. P. Browning
  • · James A. Browning

Themes & tags

Westward ExpansionFrontier HistoryLandmark

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