Chauncey W. Brownell

Chauncey W. Brownell (October 7, 1847 – February 4, 1938) was a Vermont attorney and politician who served as President of the Vermont State Senate and Vermont Secretary of State.

Chauncey W. Brownell
President pro tempore of the Vermont Senate
In office October 1, 1902 – October 3, 1904
Preceded by	Frederick W. Baldwin
Succeeded by	George H. Prouty
Member of the Vermont Senate from Chittenden County
In office October 1, 1902 – October 3, 1904 Serving with Charles J. Russell, Elliot M. Sutton
Preceded by	William H. H. Varney, Rufus E. Brown, William J. Fuller
Succeeded by	Calvin S. Isham, Charles S. Ashley, Albert T. Stevens
Secretary of State of Vermont
In office October 2, 1890 – October 4, 1898
Preceded by	Charles W. Porter
Succeeded by	Fred A. Howland
Secretary of the Vermont Senate
In office October 6, 1880 – September 30, 1890
Preceded by	Frederick W. Baldwin
Succeeded by	George M. Powers
State's Attorney of Chittenden County, Vermont
In office 1884–1886
Preceded by	Julius W. Russell
Succeeded by	David J. Foster
Personal details
Born	(1847-10-07)October 7, 1847 Williston, Vermont
Died	February 4, 1938(1938-02-04) (aged 90) Williston, Vermont
Resting place	Lakeview Cemetery, Burlington, Vermont
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Elva Maria Brigham (m. 1875–1920, her death)
Children	4
Education	University of Vermont Albany Law School
Profession	Attorney

Biography

Chauncey Wells Brownell was born in Williston, Vermont on October 7, 1847, the son of Chauncey Wells Brownell (1811–1892) and Laura Chapin Higbee Brownell (1815–1852).^[1] The elder Brownell was a farmer who served in both the Vermont House of Representatives and Vermont Senate.

Chauncey Wells Brownell (1811–1892) – father

The younger Brownell graduated from the University of Vermont in 1870 and Albany Law School in 1872. Brownell received a Master of Arts degree from UVM in 1873.^[2]

Brownell became a lawyer in Burlington. He was also active in local businesses, including serving on the board of directors of Burlington's electric street railway, board of directors member of the Burlington Building and Loan Association, Vice President of the city's Home Savings Bank, and President of the Burlington Mutual Fire Insurance Company.^[3][4][5]

A Republican, he was Burlington's Grand Juror (municipal court prosecutor) for two years, and State's Attorney of Chittenden County from 1884 to 1886. He served as Assistant Secretary of the Vermont Senate from 1874 to 1880, and Senate Secretary from 1880 to 1890. In 1890 Brownell was elected Secretary of State, serving until 1898.^[6][4]

In 1900 Brownell was elected a Burlington Alderman.^[7] In 1902 he was elected to one term in the Vermont Senate and was chosen to serve as President pro tempore.^[8]

Brownell died in Williston on February 4, 1938.^[9] He was buried at Lakeview Cemetery in Burlington.^[10]

Family

In 1875, Brownell married Elva Maria Brigham (1850–1920).^[4] They were the parents of four children – Carl, Elva, Chauncey, and Henry.^[4]