Charles H. Browne, editor and owner of the Horton "Headlight-Commercial," is one of the progressive newspaper men of Northern Kansas. He was born in St. Joseph, Mo., July 6, 1880, and is a son of Charles H. and Katherine G. (Herbert) Browne, the former a native of New York, and the latter of Pennsylvania. The father followed railroading, and was connected with the Hannibal & Missouri Railroad, St. Joseph & Grand Island, and later with the Missouri Pacific. He died in 1899, and the mother now resides at Horton, Kans. The Browne family is of Irish descent, and came from County Lantham, Ireland. Charles H. Browne's parents moved to Kansas City when he was a small boy, and here he began his education in the public schools. Later, they moved to Topeka, Kans., where he attended Washburn College for two years. He was employed at railroad work about six months, when he went to Hiawatha, Kans., and entered the office of the Hiawatha "World," which is now owned by Ewing Herbert, an uncle of Mr. Browne's. Here, young Browne learned the printer's trade, beginning with the usual post of printer's devil, and ending as manager of that newspaper. While he was manager, the "World" was considered the largest country newspaper in Kansas, and his early experience and responsibility in connection with this paper gave him a training in newspaper work, which has proven invaluable to him. He remained with the "World," until December, 1906, when he came to Horton, and purchased the Horton "Headlight," which he published under this name until June, 1911, when he bought the "Commercial" and consolidated the two newspapers, under the title of the Horton "Headlight-Commercial." Mr. Browne continued the publication of the "Headlight-Commercial," and has won for it the reputation of being one of the cleanest, and most capably edited newspapers in the State. It has a large subscription list, and a profitable advertising patronage. In 1912 the Horton "News," was established, and in April, 1914. Mr. Browne purchased that newspaper and consolidated it with his other publication. The "Headlight-Commercial" office is equipped with modern machinery, and does an extensive job printing business, as well as the regular newspaper work. The paper is independent in politics, and is conducted on a high plane. In addition to his busy career in the newspaper world, Mr. Browne is active in the life of his home town and county. He has served as a member of the board of education, and was president of the Horton Commercial Club. He is a member of the Kansas State Editorial Association, and in 1912, was the recording secretary of that body, and is president of the First District Editorial Association, having held that office since its organization, and in 1912, was a presidential elector on the Republican ticket. He is a Knights Templar Mason and a member of the Mystic Shrine, and has served as eminent commander of Horton Commandery No. 36, Knights Templar, and is also a member of the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Browne was married June 12, 1903, to Miss Mary E. Seburn, daughter of Dr. Harvey and Maria A. (Klinefelter) Seburn of Hiawatha, Kans. Dr. Seburn came to Brown county, Kansas, in 1857, from Ohio, his native State. He was one of the first physicians in Brown county. Here he met and married Maria Klinefelter, who came to Kansas with her parents, from Ohio. They were early settlers in Brown county. When they settled in the county, their nearest town was White Cloud, Kans. Mrs. Brown was born in Brown county, Kansas, and educated in the Hiawatha schools, and is a graduate of the high school. To Mr. and Mrs. Browne have been born three children: Mary Elizabeth, Charles Harvey and Jessie Virginia. Mrs. Browne is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and belongs to the Rebekahs.