Frederick Holbrook

Frederick Holbrook
Frederick Holbrook in 1901
27th Governor of Vermont
In office
October 11, 1861 – October 9, 1863
LieutenantLevi Underwood
Paul Dillingham
Preceded byErastus Fairbanks
Succeeded byJ. Gregory Smith
Member of the Vermont Senate from Windham County
In office
1849–1850
Serving with Peter W. Dean, John Tufts
Preceded byJohn Kimball, Peter W. Dean, Larkin G. Mead
Succeeded byAsa Wentworth Jr., John R. Blake, Ira Goodhue
President of the Vermont State Agricultural Society
In office
September 25, 1851 – January 10, 1859
Preceded byNone (position created)
Succeeded byEpaphras Bull Chase
Register of Probate for the Marlboro District
In office
1848–1861
Preceded byBroughton Harris
Succeeded byR. W. Clarke
Personal details
Born(1813-02-15)February 15, 1813
East Windsor, Connecticut, US
DiedApril 28, 1909(1909-04-28) (aged 96)
Brattleboro, Vermont, US
Resting placeProspect Hill Cemetery, Brattleboro, Vermont
Political partyWhig (before 1856)
Republican (from 1856)
SpouseHarriet Goodhue (m. 1835-1887, her death)
RelationsLuke Knowlton (grandfather)
Children3
Parent(s)Sarah (Knowlton) Holbrook
John Holbrook
ProfessionFarmer
Banker
Signature
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Vermont
Branch/serviceVermont Militia
Years of service1833–1837
RankCaptain
CommandsBrattleboro Floodwood Company

Frederick Holbrook (February 15, 1813 – April 28, 1909) was an American farmer, businessman, and Governor of the State of Vermont. Active in politics and government, first as a Whig, and later as a Republican, he was most notable for his service as the 27th governor of Vermont from 1861 to 1863.

A native of East Windsor, Connecticut, Holbrook was a son of Sarah (Knowlton) Holbrook and John Holbrook and a grandson of Luke Knowlton. He was raised in Vermont and educated at the Berkshire Gymnasium in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, then embarked on careers in farming and business as a resident of Brattleboro. Holbrook served briefly in the militia, and became active in local government as Register of Probate for the Marlboro District, an office he held from 1848 to 1861. He represented Windham County in the Vermont Senate from 1849 to 1850.

Holbrook became a Republican when the party was founded in the mid-1850s. In 1861 he was the party's successful nominee for governor. He was reelected in 1862 and served from October 1861 to October 1863. As the state's chief executive in the middle of the American Civil War, Holbrook oversaw Vermont's contribution to the Union effort, including raising more than ten Infantry regiments for the Union Army. In keeping with the Republican "Mountain Rule", Holbrook was not a candidate for reelection in 1863.

After leaving the governorship, Holbrook declined to be a candidate for any other office and returned to his Brattleboro farming and business interests, including serving as president of the Vermont Savings Bank and president of the Vermont Asylum for the Insane's board of trustees. He died in Brattleboro on April 28, 1909. Holbrook was buried at Prospect Hill Cemetery in Brattleboro.