Hon. Hiram Brownlee, judge of the superior court of Grant and Howard counties, is a citizen of Marion residing on the same town lot where his birth took place September 13, 1849.

        James Brownlee, grandfather of the judge, was of Scotch descent and a native of Pennsylvania; but settled in Fayette county, Indiana, in the early part of the nineteenth century, where he was soon recognized as a man of prominence and influence, and after the state was admitted to the Union, he was a member of the Constitutional Convention.

        John Brownlee, father of Judge Brownlee, was the oldest of a family of five children. His early life was passed upon the farm, and when he grew to manhood he read law in the office of Sam Parker, of Brookville. In about 1836 he settled at Marion where for more than a half century he was a prominent member of the Grant County Bar. He was a Democrat until the war, then supported the Republican party, and for some years during the '50s he served as circuit judge by appointment. He was a charter member of the Masonic lodge at Marion, of which he was one of the first Masters. His religious connection was with the Christian church of which he was a worthy member until his death, which took place in 1891, aged seventy-four years.

        The mother of Judge Brownlee bore the maiden name of Mary Weeks, and her parents, Hiram P. and Laura Weeks, were natives of the Green Mountain state. She was born in Granville, Ohio and is still living on the old homestead in Marion. By her marriage with Judge Brownlee six children were born of whom Hiram, the subject of this sketch is the oldest; Maggie, now Mrs. Gilbert Willson; Laura, now Mrs. Edward S. Lenfester; Charles, deceased; Robert, deceased; Frank and Minnie, now Mrs. C. M. Stuart.

        Hiram Brownlee attended the public schools of Marion and at an early age decided to become a lawyer. His study of law was under the direction of his father, and he attended Wabash College during the years of '67 and '68; and when he attained his majority he was admitted to practice and became the law partner of his father.

        He encountered the struggles that usually beset a young lawyer; but his advance was steady and he soon rose to prominence. He was associated in the firms of Brownlee & Carroll, Brownlee & Paulus and Brownlee & Cline. In politics Judge Brownlee has at all times been an active and influential worker in the ranks of the Republican party; he is recognized as an orator and his advice is often sought when experience and sound advice is desired by party leaders. He twice represented the district in the Legislature and was the caucas nominee of his party for Speaker.

        By act of the Legislature the superior court between Grant and Howard counties was established, and February 11, 1897, Hiram Brownlee was appointed Judge, and in 1898 was elected to the position--he having received the nomination without opposition. On the bench he exercises due deliberation, but has no liking for unneccessary waste of time in conducting a case and so keeps the docket well cleared.

        Judge Brownlee was married, in 1877, to Linnie McDowell. She died in 1896 leaving three children, viz: Louise, Bessie and Phil. He has a beautiful home on East Second street and owns other valuable real estate.

        Judge Brownlee is a Thirty-second Degree Mason, a member of the Mystic Shrine and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.