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.
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]
References
^Vermont Secretary of State, Joint Rules, Rules and Orders of the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Vermont, 1878, p. 115
^Hiram Carleton, editor, Genealogical and Family History of the State of Vermont, Volume 2, 1903, pp. 219–221