Smith, J. Gregory (John Gregory), 1818-1891

Railroad executive, lawyer, Vermont legislator, and governor of Vermont (1863-1864).

From the description of Letter, February 10, 1864. (Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library). WorldCat record id: 124509796

J. (John) Gregory Smith was born in St. Albans, Vermont, July 22, 1818, the son of John and Maria (Curtis) Smith. He attended the University of Vermont and Yale Law School, was admitted to the Vermont bar in 1842. J. Gregory Smith married Ann Eliza Brainerd of St. Albans, in 1843 and they had six children. Smith died in 1891.

In 1858, J. Gregory Smith became president of the Vermont Central Railroad. With the reorganization of the railroads in Vermont, Smith became president of the Central Vermont, and the Consolidated Railroad. From 1866 to about 1872 he was president of the Northern Pacific Railroad. The Smith family also owned the St. Albans Foundry, the National Car Company, and its subsidiary the Vermont Iron and Car Company.

Smith was active in politics and was elected state senator in 1858 and 1859; representative in 1860, 1861, and 1862, and governor in 1863, an office he held for two terms.

From the description of J. Gregory Smith papers, 1810-1899. (Vermont Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 36063765