J. Gregory Smith
Encyclopedia
John Gregory Smith railroad tycoon, politician, war-time governor of Vermont
Smith was born in St. Albans, Vermont
, son of John and Maria (Curtis) Smith. The elder Smith was a pioneer railroad builder in Vermont, and a leading lawyer and public man of his generation. John Gregory graduated from the University of Vermont
in 1841, and subsequently Yale Law School
.
He married in 1842, Anne Eliza
, daughter of Lawrence Brainerd
, prominent in her own right as the author of several novels and other books. Sometime around 1870, he named the town of Brainerd, Minnesota after his wife's maiden name whose father Lawrence Brainerd died recently.
Smith became associated with his father in his law practice and railroad management. After his father's death in 1858, he succeeded to the position of trustee under the lease of the Vermont and Canada Railroad. Simultaneously he entered politics, and for many years the career in each line was involved with the other. He was also one of the originators of the Northern Pacific Railway
enterprise and was the president of the corporation from 1866 to 1872. Under his lead five hundred and fifty-five miles of the road were built.
He entered the Legislature as St. Albans' representative in 1860, and in 1861 and 1862 was speaker of the House, winning such popularity that he was unanimously nominated for Governor in 1863, succeeding Frederick Holbrook
, and re-elected in 1864. He was particularly solicitous in caring for the Vermont soldiers at the front during the American Civil War
, and his many deeds of kindness won him many enthusiastic and life-long admirers. He was chairman of the state delegation to the Republican National Conventions in 1872, 1880, and 1884. After his retirement as governor he held no public office, though for about twenty years he was the master of Vermont politics, frequently talked of for a seat in the United States Senate
, particularly in 1886, and again in 1891, but in both cases he withdrew his name.
Smith was born in St. Albans, Vermont
St. Albans, Vermont
Places named St. Albans, Vermont:*St. Albans , Vermont, town in Franklin County, Vermont, established in 1763**St. Albans Raid, 1864*St. Albans , Vermont, city in Franklin County, Vermont, established in 1902...
, son of John and Maria (Curtis) Smith. The elder Smith was a pioneer railroad builder in Vermont, and a leading lawyer and public man of his generation. John Gregory graduated from the University of Vermont
University of Vermont
The University of Vermont comprises seven undergraduate schools, an honors college, a graduate college, and a college of medicine. The Honors College does not offer its own degrees; students in the Honors College concurrently enroll in one of the university's seven undergraduate colleges or...
in 1841, and subsequently Yale Law School
Yale Law School
Yale Law School, or YLS, is the law school of Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Established in 1824, it offers the J.D., LL.M., J.S.D. and M.S.L. degrees in law. It also hosts visiting scholars, visiting researchers and a number of legal research centers...
.
He married in 1842, Anne Eliza
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...
, daughter of Lawrence Brainerd
Lawrence Brainerd
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....
, prominent in her own right as the author of several novels and other books. Sometime around 1870, he named the town of Brainerd, Minnesota after his wife's maiden name whose father Lawrence Brainerd died recently.
Smith became associated with his father in his law practice and railroad management. After his father's death in 1858, he succeeded to the position of trustee under the lease of the Vermont and Canada Railroad. Simultaneously he entered politics, and for many years the career in each line was involved with the other. He was also one of the originators of the Northern Pacific Railway
Northern Pacific Railway
The Northern Pacific Railway was a railway that operated in the west along the Canadian border of the United States. Construction began in 1870 and the main line opened all the way from the Great Lakes to the Pacific when former president Ulysses S. Grant drove in the final "golden spike" in...
enterprise and was the president of the corporation from 1866 to 1872. Under his lead five hundred and fifty-five miles of the road were built.
He entered the Legislature as St. Albans' representative in 1860, and in 1861 and 1862 was speaker of the House, winning such popularity that he was unanimously nominated for Governor in 1863, succeeding Frederick Holbrook
Frederick Holbrook
Frederick Holbrook was an agriculturist, politician, and the 27th Governor of Vermont.-Early life:Holbrook was born in East Windsor, Connecticut, son of John and Sara Holbrook. He attended Berkshire Gymnasium, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, for two years, then visited Europe in 1833...
, and re-elected in 1864. He was particularly solicitous in caring for the Vermont soldiers at the front during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, and his many deeds of kindness won him many enthusiastic and life-long admirers. He was chairman of the state delegation to the Republican National Conventions in 1872, 1880, and 1884. After his retirement as governor he held no public office, though for about twenty years he was the master of Vermont politics, frequently talked of for a seat in the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
, particularly in 1886, and again in 1891, but in both cases he withdrew his name.