Daniel M. BROWNING, Past Grand Master of Masons, of Illinois, was born in Benton, where he now resides,  on October 11, 1846.  He was married in 1868 to Tirzah Bell NAYOR, of Cincinnati.  They have three children.  Our subject is the son of William R. and Lydia BROWNING, natives respectively of this and Jackson Counties.  The father, circuit and county clerk, and county judge and merchant, was born in 1810 and died in 1866.  Daniel M. received an academic education, and began the study of law at an early age.  He graduated with distinction from the law department of the State University of Indiana, in February 1866, and, after examination before the Illinois Supreme Court in June, was admitted to the bar before he was twenty years of age.  He was elected county judge in November 1869, when twenty-three years of age, and re-elected in 1873 and 1877 without opposition, which position he resigned upon being elected circuit judge of the First Judicial Circuit in 1879.  He is of fine personal appearance, and has a reputation for suavity, dignity, learning, and good sense rarely equaled.  Since June 1885, he has been engaged in the practice of law in Benton.  His Masonic career began with his initiation into Benton Lodge No. 64 in 1868.  He served as Worshipful Master five terms between the years 1870 to 1878.  In 1874 he was District Deputy Grand Master of the Twenty eighth Masonic District.  During the years 1875-77, he was chairman of the appeals and grievances committee in the Grand Lodge, for which he had qualifications promptly recognized.  In 1878 he was elected Grand Juror Warden, and step by step he advanced until elected Grand Master in October 1882.  He was re-elected in 1883, serving with great ability and to the satisfaction of 40,000 Illinois Masons.  Judge BROWNING is of exceptionally good social qualities, and those who have met him can bear testimony to the good cheer with which he is constantly surrounded.  As a Mason and citizen he is the peer of the best.