Vermont Governor. Called J. Gregory Smith, he was the son of Congressman John Smith and the son in law of US Senator Lawrence Brainerd. He attended the University of Vermont and Yale Law School, and practiced law with his father, also joining him in management of the Vermont Central Railroad, of which J. Gregory Smith became President. Under his management, the family's holdings included the St. Albans Foundry, the National Car Company, and the Vermont Iron and Car Company. A Republican, Smith was a State Senator from 1858 to 1859. He served in the Vermont House of Representatives from 1860 to 1863, and was Speaker in 1862. He was Governor from 1863 to 1865, afterwards returning to his business interests, including serving as President of the Northern Pacific Railroad from 1866 to 1872. His home was a target of the 1864 Confederate raid on St. Albans, the Civil War's northernmost action, but the raiders bypassed the house while fleeing after robbing the town's banks. Smith's brother Worthington served in the US House from 1867 to 1871, and his son Edward served as Governor from 1898 to 1900. His wife was author Ann Eliza Brainerd, who as Mrs. J.G. Smith published an essay collection, "Dawn to Sunrise", and the novels "Seola" (later republished as "Angels and Women"), "Selma," and "Atla."
Vermont Governor. Called J. Gregory Smith, he was the son of Congressman John Smith and the son in law of US Senator Lawrence Brainerd. He attended the University of Vermont and Yale Law School, and practiced law with his father, also joining him in management of the Vermont Central Railroad, of which J. Gregory Smith became President. Under his management, the family's holdings included the St. Albans Foundry, the National Car Company, and the Vermont Iron and Car Company. A Republican, Smith was a State Senator from 1858 to 1859. He served in the Vermont House of Representatives from 1860 to 1863, and was Speaker in 1862. He was Governor from 1863 to 1865, afterwards returning to his business interests, including serving as President of the Northern Pacific Railroad from 1866 to 1872. His home was a target of the 1864 Confederate raid on St. Albans, the Civil War's northernmost action, but the raiders bypassed the house while fleeing after robbing the town's banks. Smith's brother Worthington served in the US House from 1867 to 1871, and his son Edward served as Governor from 1898 to 1900. His wife was author Ann Eliza Brainerd, who as Mrs. J.G. Smith published an essay collection, "Dawn to Sunrise", and the novels "Seola" (later republished as "Angels and Women"), "Selma," and "Atla."
Bio by: Bill McKern
Family Members
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