Lawrence Brainerd
Encyclopedia
Lawrence Brainerd was a businessman, abolitionist and United States Senator from Vermont
. He was the father of Anne Eliza Brainerd Smith
and the father-in-law of Vermont Governor
J. Gregory Smith
.
Born in East Hartford, Connecticut
, he went to Troy, New York
in 1803 to reside with an uncle and in 1808 moved with him to St. Albans, Vermont
. He completed preparatory studies, taught school, was employed as a clerk in a mercantile establishment until 1816, and engaged in mercantile, banking, navigation, and railroad enterprises. In 1834 he was elected to the Vermont Legislature; he was affiliated with the Whig Party
until 1840, when he became a member of the Liberty Party
. He was an unsuccessful candidate for Governor of Vermont in 1846, 1847, 1848, 1852, and 1854; he was elected as a member of the Free Soil Party
to the U.S. Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of William Upham
and served from October 14, 1854, to March 4, 1855. He was not a candidate for reelection, and was nominated for Governor but declined. He resumed business activities and in 1870 died in St. Albans, Vermont; interment was in Greenwood Cemetery.
His son-in-law, J. Gregory Smith, founded and named Brainerd, Minnesota
after his father-in-law and wife.
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
. He was the father of Anne Eliza Brainerd Smith
Anne Eliza Smith
Ann Eliza Smith was raised in St. Albans, Vermont by her parents Lawrence Brainerd and Fidelia B. Gadcombe. Ann Brainerd married J. Gregory Smith in 1842 and together they had six children. It has been believed for some time that the town of Brainerd, Minnesota was named after her...
and the father-in-law of Vermont Governor
Governor of Vermont
The Governor of Vermont is the governor of the U.S. state of Vermont. The governor is elected in even numbered years by direct voting for a term of two years; Vermont and bordering New Hampshire are the only states to hold gubernatorial elections every two years, instead of every four...
J. Gregory Smith
J. Gregory Smith
John Gregory Smith , railroad tycoon, politician, war-time governor of VermontSmith was born in St. Albans, Vermont, son of John and Maria Smith. The elder Smith was a pioneer railroad builder in Vermont, and a leading lawyer and public man of his generation...
.
Born in East Hartford, Connecticut
East Hartford, Connecticut
East Hartford is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 51,252 at the 2010 census.-Geography:...
, he went to Troy, New York
Troy, New York
Troy is a city in the US State of New York and the seat of Rensselaer County. Troy is located on the western edge of Rensselaer County and on the eastern bank of the Hudson River. Troy has close ties to the nearby cities of Albany and Schenectady, forming a region popularly called the Capital...
in 1803 to reside with an uncle and in 1808 moved with him to St. Albans, Vermont
St. Albans (town), Vermont
St. Albans is a town in Franklin County, Vermont. The population was 6,392 at the 2010 census. The town completely surrounds the city of St. Albans, which was separated from the town and incorporated in 1902. References to "St. Albans" prior to this date generally refer to the town center, which...
. He completed preparatory studies, taught school, was employed as a clerk in a mercantile establishment until 1816, and engaged in mercantile, banking, navigation, and railroad enterprises. In 1834 he was elected to the Vermont Legislature; he was affiliated with the Whig Party
Whig Party (United States)
The Whig Party was a political party of the United States during the era of Jacksonian democracy. Considered integral to the Second Party System and operating from the early 1830s to the mid-1850s, the party was formed in opposition to the policies of President Andrew Jackson and his Democratic...
until 1840, when he became a member of the Liberty Party
Liberty Party (1840s)
The Liberty Party was a minor political party in the United States in the 1840s . The party was an early advocate of the abolitionist cause...
. He was an unsuccessful candidate for Governor of Vermont in 1846, 1847, 1848, 1852, and 1854; he was elected as a member of the Free Soil Party
Free Soil Party
The Free Soil Party was a short-lived political party in the United States active in the 1848 and 1852 presidential elections, and in some state elections. It was a third party and a single-issue party that largely appealed to and drew its greatest strength from New York State. The party leadership...
to the U.S. Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of William Upham
William Upham
William Upham was a United States Senator from Vermont.-Biography:William Upham was born in Leicester, Massachusetts to Samuel Upham and Martha Upham. He moved with his father to Montpelier, Vermont in 1802...
and served from October 14, 1854, to March 4, 1855. He was not a candidate for reelection, and was nominated for Governor but declined. He resumed business activities and in 1870 died in St. Albans, Vermont; interment was in Greenwood Cemetery.
His son-in-law, J. Gregory Smith, founded and named Brainerd, Minnesota
Brainerd, Minnesota
Brainerd is a city in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 13,590 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Crow Wing County and one of the largest cities in Central Minnesota...
after his father-in-law and wife.