Miller-Browning Colony

Duane's take

Here's my telling of what the official marker has to say about the Miller-Browning Colony, out here in Kimble County. Now, about a mile north of where you're rolling right now, there was once a little settlement that punched well above its weight in the early life of this county. Two families.

That's all it took. The Miller-Browning Colony got its start in 1874, when John and Martha Miller put down roots on this stretch of Texas frontier, and friend, frontier is exactly the right word for it. This was not a tame land.

John Miller knew that as well as anybody, which is probably why his neighbors took to calling him Honest John. A man earns a name like that, or he doesn't get it at all. Miller joined the frontier militia to fight Indians, and when Kimble County began building its civic bones, he was right there for it; serving on the first jury and the second jury commission of the county district court.

And just to make sure he stayed busy, he was elected justice of the peace for Precinct 4 in 1876. The colony wasn't just the Millers, though. The families of A.P.

Browning and William Miller filled out the settlement, and between them all, they shaped the early machinery of Kimble County in ways that lasted. James A. Browning served longer as a county official than any previous person, longer than anyone who'd come before him.

That's the kind of record that doesn't get broken quietly. And here's the part that'll stay with you as you drive on: the descendants of these families still live in Kimble County to this day. Some stories don't have an ending.

They just keep going.

What the marker says

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)