Frederick Holbrook

Frederick Holbrook

Frederick G. Holbrook (born February 15, 1813 in East Windsor , Hartford County , Connecticut , † April 28, 1909 in Brattleboro , Vermont ) was an American politician and governor of the state of Vermont from 1861 to 1863 .

Early years

Frederick Holbrook attended Berkshire High School, a private school in Massachusetts . He then studied agriculture in England . After returning to the United States, he worked in agriculture in Brattleboro, Vermont. There he also wrote articles for agricultural magazines and worked on inventions to improve agricultural implements. He was also a member of the Vermont Militia. Holbrook was also the founder of the Vermont Agricultural Association, which he was to become president between 1850 and 1858.

Political rise

In his hometown of Brattleboro, Holbrook was employed as a town historian and from 1847 to 1850 as an executor. Holbrook also served on the Board of Trustees of the Vermont Mental Hospital for 40 years. Between 1849 and 1850 he was a member of the Vermont Senate . At that time he also made the proposal to set up an agency for agriculture at the federal level. This idea was later picked up and led to the establishment of the U.S. Department of Agriculture . In the 1850s, Holbrook became a member of the newly formed Republican Party . As their candidate, he was elected governor of his state in 1861.

Vermont governor

Frederick Holbrook took up his new office on October 11, 1861. After re-election in 1862, he was able to remain in office until October 9, 1863. His reign was overshadowed by the events of the civil war. In addition to the mandatory measures to support the federal government's war effort, which included the recruitment of soldiers and the provision of supplies, Governor Holbrook proposed moving military hospitals to the hinterland, away from combat zones, in order to ensure quieter and better care for the Caring for the wounded. This should relieve the combat areas and improve medical care for those affected. This system was adopted and implemented by the federal government. The first of these hospitals were built in Vermont itself. Holbrook has also encouraged President Abraham Lincoln to call for war volunteers. In Vermont, the governor wanted half the cost of the war to be funded through the tax system, while the other half should be funded through government bonds.

Another résumé

After the end of his governorship, Holbrook returned to his business and agricultural interests. He also became president of the Vermont Savings Bank . He did not hold any political office after 1863. Frederick Holbrook died in 1909 at the age of 95. He had three children with his wife, Harriet Goodhue.

literature

• Robert Sobel and John Raimo (Eds.): Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789–1978. Volume 4, Meckler Books, Westport, 1978. 4 volumes.

Web links

• Frederick Holbrook in the National Governors Association (English)
• Frederick Holbrook in the database of Find a Grave (English)