Gordon Browning (1889-1976) / Alvin Hawkins (1821-1905)

Gordon Browning 1889-1976: Born in 1889 near Atwood in Carroll County, Gordon Weaver Browing worked his way through school and opened a law practice in Huntingdon in 1915. He served in the U. S. Army in World War I, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and received the Legion of Merit Medal. Browning served six terms as a U. S. Congressman from 1823 to 1935. Later, the former Congressman served two terms as Governor of Tennessee (1937 to 1939) and (1949 to 1953). Gordon W. Browning died in 1976 at the age of 86 and is buried in Huntingdon, Tennessee. SIDE 2 Alving Hawkins 1821-1905: Born in 1821 in Bath County, Kentucky, Alvin Hawkins moved to Carroll County when he was seven years old. After attending McLemoresville Academy and Bethel College he tried his had as a farmer, blacksmith, and teacher before becoming a lawyer. In 1853 Hawkins won election to the Tennessee House of Representatives, where he served one-term. In 1864, Hawkins served as U. S. Attorney for West Tennessee. One year later he was appointed to the Tennessee Supreme Court. In 1868, Hawkins served as U. S. consul in Havana, Cuba. Hawkins served as Governor of Tennessee from 1880 to 1882. When he left office he turned to Huntingdon, where he practiced law. Alvin Hawkins died on April 27, 1905.