Grace Althea Browning collection

Grace Althea Browning was born on August 17, 1898 in Greencastle, Indiana, to Indiana natives Edith Conklin Browning and Otis Browning. In 1912, she joined the Greencastle Presbyterian Church and spent her adult life as an involved member. She lived in Greencastle from birth until death. Browning graduated from DePauw University in 1920 with a bachelor of arts. She bought and maintained the Old Gold Gift Shop through the 1930s.

Otis Browning was employed at a grocery store, while Edith Browning took care of the home. Grace’s uncle, Charles Conklin, was a foreman at a steel mill when he lived with them in the 1920s. Grace was an only child, but her niece, Emily, once lived at the Browning home. The Browning family’s helper, Ella, inhabited their home in the 1950s. At DePauw, Grace associated herself with the Fifth Vocational Conference on Opportunities for Women, French Studies, the Reception Committee, and the Young Women's Christian Association. She was also a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority, Indiana Epsilon chapter. She served as the secretary of her class from 1920 until 1985 and stayed involved in her local community.

After graduating, she worked in Indianapolis at the flagship L.S. Ayres & Company department store. Her employment also included secretarial work at a doctor’s office until her retirement in 1961. In her later life, Grace lived in Asbury Towers retirement home in Greencastle. Browning never married or had children. She was the oldest lifetime member of her church community at her death. Browning passed away on January 18, 1993, at the age of ninety-four. Grace Althea Browning is buried in Forest Hill Cemetery in Greencastle alongside her parents.

Sources:

Ancestry.com. U.S. Census Bureau, Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1920, 1940 and 1950 United States Federal Census

DePauw University, “1920 DePauw University Commencement Program,” June 16, 1920, Greencastle, Indiana.

Grace Althea Browning Scrapbook Collection, 1915-1920, MSD-1920-005, Archives of DePauw University and Indiana United Methodism. Greencastle, Indiana.

“Calendar of Events,” Banner Graphic, Volume 14, 14 December 1983, Greencastle, Indiana.

This biographical note was created by Grace Heinle and Edie Patterson as part of the HIST278: Women's History from 1890-Present course during the fall 2024 semester. It was revised by Professor Sarah Rowley and the Coordinator of Archives and Special Collections Bethany Fiechter.