Thomas M. Browne

Who was Thomas M. Browne?

Thomas McLelland Browne was a U.S. Representative from Indiana.

Born in New Paris, Ohio, Browne moved to Indiana in January 1844. He attended the common schools. He moved to Winchester, Indiana, in 1848. He studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1849 and commenced practice in Winchester.

Browne was elected prosecuting attorney for the thirteenth judicial circuit in 1855. He was reelected in 1857 and 1859. Secretary of the State senate in 1861. He served as member of the State senate in 1863. Assisted in organizing the Seventh Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Cavalry of the Union Army, and went to the field with that regiment as captain of Company B, August 28, 1863. Commissioned lieutenant colonel October 1, 1863. He was promoted to colonel October 10, 1865, and subsequently brevetted a brigadier general to date from March 13, 1865. Mustered out February 18, 1866. He was appointed United States attorney for the district of Indiana in April 1869 and served until his resignation August 1, 1872. He was an unsuccessful candidate for Governor in 1872. He served as delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1876.

Browne was elected as a Republican to the Forty-fifth and to the six succeeding Congresses. He served as chairman of the Committee on Invalid Pensions, Committee on Revision of the Laws. He was not a candidate for renomination in 1890. He died in Winchester, Indiana, July 17, 1891. He was interred in Fountain Park Cemetery.