Chittenden BROWNELL, Chauncey Wells, Sr. & Jr. Biography of Chauncey Wells BROWNELL (the father) Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, pp 46-47 (portrait p 47) Chauncey Wells BROWNELL was born 13 September 1811, son of Samuel and Zeruah (FORBES) BROWNELL. His paternal and maternal grandfathers were both Revolutionary soldiers; the latter, John FORBES, distinguished for his ready wit and quick power of repartee, came to Williston [Chittenden County, Vermont] in very early times. Samuel A., the father of the subject of the present sketch, came with his parents from Connecticut to Williston and purchased land in the northeast corner of the original town of Burlington, now Williston, embracing a large portion of the grant to Governor Benning WENTWORTH of New Hampshire in this township. In this new country which his hands helped to clear, C. W. BROWNELL grew to manhood, his early days being devoted to hard labor, and his evenings to study by the light of the huge logs burning in the old-fashioned fire place, or the occasional aid of the glimmer of a pine knot. Here, with a board and piece of charcoal, he solved many a problem in mathematics that afterward served him in good stead when he taught district school. In 1840 he purchased a large farm in the southwestern corner of Williston, on which he continued to reside during life. It was his ambition to build up and improve and leave to those who should come after him more comforts and sources of income than he had been wont to enjoy. He set out large orchards and grew all varieties of fruit that the climate would permit. He sought to beautify the roadways, and planted large numbers of maple, elm, butternut, walnut and other domestic trees, which today extend along the street for more than a mile, making a shady and attractive drive. He added to his real estate from time to time, seldom parting with any he had bought, and it was owing to this peculiar phase of character that at his death, notwithstanding conveyances to his children, he was the possessor of more than one thousand acres. He gave much time and thought to the improvement of stock, and bred and owned some of the best horses, cattle and sheep in the state. Strongly attached to the principles of the Republican party, Mr. BROWNELL was a useful public-spirited citizen, and was called to nearly all the duties entrusted to town officials. An uncompromising believer in protection for American industries, he was quickly out of patience with those who advocated a free trade policy. He represented Williston in the Legislature of 1860-1861, and was chosen a member of the state Senate from Chittenden County for the first biennial term in 1870. In his business relations, upright, of genial temperament and of untiring energy as his last words strongly indicate, "My work is but half accomplished," he has rarely been surpassed as a good citizen and useful friend. On 04 March 1841 he [Chauncey Wells BROWNELL] married [his first wife] Miss Laura C., daughter of Isaac and Laura (CHAPIN) HIGBEE, from whom the following children were born: Samuel A., of Essex [Chittenden County, Vermont]; Zeruah F., wife of William F. WHITNEY, of Williston; Chauncey W. [whose biography follows], lawyer, of Burlington [Chittenden County, Vermont]; Laura A., wife of John A. COLLIER, of Brooklyn; one, Eliza, died in 1862. [Since place names not in Vermont are usually accompanied by state names in these biographies, Brooklyn may be Brooklyn, New York, or it may be a typo for Brookline, Windham County, Vermont.] [The first] Mrs. BROWNELL dying in November 1852, in May 1854 he [Chauncey Wells BROWNELL] married for his second wife Miss Martha M., daughter of Hon. John Van SICKLEN of South Burlington [Chittenden County, Vermont]. His [Chauncey Wells BROWNELL's] children by the second marriage are: Sarah V; Mary A.; Mrs. E. H. THORP, of Middlebury [Addison County, Vermont]; and Grove L., of Essex [Chittenden County, Vermont]; one, John Lester, died in 1885. [The second] Mrs. BROWNELL's death occurred 05 January 1891. Mr. [Chauncey Wells] BROWNELL [Sr.] died 04 June 1892. Biography of Chauncey Wells BROWNELL (the son) Encyclopedia Vermont Biography: A Series of Authentic Biographical Sketches of the Representative Men of Vermont and Sons of Vermont in Other States. Dodge. Burlington: Ullery Publishing Company, 1912, p 131 Chauncey Wells BROWNELL [Jr.], lawyer, Burlington [Chittenden County, Vermont], was born 07 October 1847 in Williston [Chittenden County, Vermont], son of Chauncey Wells and Laura (HIGBEE) BROWNELL. Educated at Williston and Alburg [Alburgh] Springs academies; graduated from University of Vermont 1870; received the degree of A. M. 1873; Albany Law School [Albany County, New York], graduating with degree LL. B.; admitted to Vermont Bar 1872; since 1873 has practiced law in Burlington; interested in agriculture and fruit growing; director and clerk Burlington Traction Company, and Military Post Street Railway Company; trustee and vice president Home Savings Bank; director Burlington Building and Loan Association, being one of the original incorporators; promoter and president, Burlington Mutual Fire Insurance Company since its organization in 1907; and member of Vergennes Power Company, developed to furnish electrical power to operate street railways in and about Burlington. In 1875 he [Chauncey Wells BROWNELL [Jr.] married [Miss?] Elva M. BRIGHAM of Westford [Chittenden County, Vermont]; they have four children, Carl Brigham, Elva Mabel, Chauncey Sherman, and Henry Chase. Mr. BROWNELL is a Republican; assistant secretary of Senate 1874-1880; secretary of Senate 1880-1890; secretary of state [O2 September] 1890-1898; insurance commissioner eight years; member Burlington board of aldermen 1900-1903; for four years city grand juror and prosecuting attorney; states attorney for Chittenden County 1884-1886; senator from Chittenden County 1902, being unanimously chosen president pro tempore. Mr. BROWNELL is a member of the Sons of American Revolution. [In religious preference, a Congregationalist.] Submitted by Cathy Kubly