Lawrence Brainerd

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Lawrence Brainerd
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Lawrence Brainerd

Lawrence Brainerd (March 16, 1794 - May 9, 1870) was a United States Senator from Vermont. 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 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 3, 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.

This article incorporates facts obtained from the public domain Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

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Preceded by
Samuel S. Phelps
United States Senator (Class 3) from Vermont
1853-1855
Succeeded by
Jacob Collamer