J. Gregory Smith

J. Gregory Smith
28th Governor of Vermont
In office
October 9, 1863 – October 13, 1865
Lieutenant Paul Dillingham
Preceded by Frederick Holbrook
Succeeded by Paul Dillingham
Speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives
In office
1862–1863
Preceded by Augustus P. Hunton
Succeeded by Abraham B. Gardner
Member of the Vermont House of Representatives
In office
1860–1863
Preceded by Albert G. Soule
Succeeded by Worthington Curtis Smith
Personal details
Born (1818-07-22)July 22, 1818
St. Albans, Vermont
Died November 6, 1891(1891-11-06) (aged 73)
St. Albans, Vermont
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Ann Brainerd
Profession businessman / politician

John Gregory Smith (July 22, 1818 – November 6, 1891) was a Vermont businessman and politician. He is most notable for serving as Governor of Vermont from 1863 to 1865, the last of Vermont's Civil War chief executives.[1]

Biography

Smith's wife Ann Eliza (left) and son Edward

Smith was born in St. Albans, Vermont, son of Congressman John Smith and Maria (Curtis) Smith.[2] His father was a pioneer railroad builder in Vermont, and a leading lawyer and political figure.[3] J. Gregory Smith graduated from the University of Vermont in 1838 and attended Yale Law School.[4] In 1842, he received his master of arts degree from the University of Vermont, and in 1877 the university awarded him the honorary degree of LL.D.[5]

In 1842, he married Ann Eliza, daughter of U.S. Senator Lawrence Brainerd, who was prominent in her own right as the author of several novels and other books.[6] After the death of her father, J. Gregory Smith named Brainerd, Minnesota after his wife's family.[7][8]

Smith's brother Worthington served in Congress from 1867 to 1871, and his son Edward served as governor from 1898 to 1900.[9] In addition, F. Stewart Stranahan was married to Ann Eliza Smith's sister, and Stranahan became prominent in the Smith family businesses before serving as Lieutenant Governor from 1892 to 1894.[10]

Undated cabinet photo by W. D. Chandler of St. Albans, Vermont

Career

Smith became associated with his father in his law practice and railroad management.[11] After his father's death in 1858, he succeeded to the position of trustee under the lease of the Vermont and Canada Railroad.[11] Simultaneously he entered politics, and for many years the career in each line was involved with the other.[11] He was also one of the originators of the Northern Pacific Railway enterprise and was the president of the corporation from 1866 to 1872.[11] Under his lead five hundred and fifty-five miles of the road were built. The family holdings included the St. Albans Foundry, the National Car Company, and the Vermont Iron and Car Company.[11]

Smith was elected to the Vermont Senate in 1858, and reelected in 1859.[12] He served in the Vermont House of Representatives from 1860 to 1863,[13] and in 1862 and 1863 he served as Speaker.[14]

In 1863 he was elected governor, succeeding Frederick Holbrook, and he was re-elected in 1864.[15] His efforts in office were centered on the American Civil War, including obtaining medical care for Vermont soldiers at the front, and securing the right of soldiers in the field to vote by absentee ballot.[16]

His home was a target of the Confederate St. Albans Raid.[17] He was not at home, but his wife was, and her appearance at the front door carrying an unloaded pistol (the only weapon she could find) was enough to cause the raiders to decide to bypass the Smith home while fleeing to Canada.[17]

Following his governorship Smith returned to his business interests, including serving as president of the Northern Pacific Railroad from 1866 to 1872. He was chairman of the state delegation to the Republican National Conventions in 1872, 1880, and 1884.[1] After his retirement as governor he held no public office.[18] He was mentioned as a candidate for the United States Senate in 1886 and 1891, but in both cases he withdrew his name.[18]

Death

Smith died in St. Albans on November 6, 1891, and was interred at Greenwood Cemetery.[19]

References

  1. 1 2 "J. Gregory Smith". National Governors Association. Retrieved 12 November 2012.
  2. ↑ Dowden, Albert Ricker (April 1864). "John Gregory Smith" (PDF). Vermont History. Montpelier, VT: Vermont Historical Society. p. 79.
  3. ↑ "John Gregory Smith", pp. 79-80.
  4. ↑ Tuttle, Roger W. (1911). Biographies of Graduates of the Yale Law School, 1824-1899. New Haven, CT: Tuttle, Morehouse & Taylor Company. p. 140.
  5. ↑ Biographies of Graduates of the Yale Law School, 1824-1899, p. 140.
  6. ↑ "John Gregory Smith", p. 80.
  7. ↑ Richardson, Renee (September 12, 2012), "Railroad Roundhouse symposium offers look at what was and what could be", Brainerd Dispatch, Brainerd, MN
  8. ↑ The True Story of The Angels and Women/Seola Book By Jim Rizoli
  9. ↑ Dodge, Prentiss C. (1912). Encyclopedia of Vermont Biography. Burlington, VT: Ullery Publishing Company. pp. 40–41.
  10. ↑ Encyclopedia of Vermont Biography, p. 59.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 Encyclopedia of Vermont Biography, pp. 40-41.
  12. ↑ "John Gregory Smith", p. 81.
  13. ↑ Dutcher, L. L. (1872). The History of St. Albans, Vt: Civil, Religious, Biographical and Statistical. St. Albans, VT: Stephen E. Royce. p. 331.
  14. ↑ "Speakers of the House, 1778-2017". www.sec.state.vt.us. Montpelier, VT: Vermont Secretary of State. 2017. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
  15. ↑ "John Gregory Smith", pp. 84, 93.
  16. ↑ "John Gregory Smith", pp. 90-92.
  17. 1 2 "John Gregory Smith", pp. 93-94.
  18. 1 2 "John Gregory Smith", p. 96.
  19. ↑ "J. Gregory Smith". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved 12 November 2012.

Further reading

  • Ullery, Jacob G., Men of Vermont: An Illustrated Biographical History, Brattleboro, VT: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, Part I, p. 96.


Political offices
Preceded by
Frederick Holbrook		 Governor of Vermont
1863–1865		 Succeeded by
Paul Dillingham
Business positions
Preceded by
Josiah Perham		 President of Northern Pacific Railway
1866–1872		 Succeeded by
George Washington Cass
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