| Birth: | 1806
Brownington Center
Orleans County
Vermont, USA | | Death: | 1868
Washington
District of Columbia
District Of Columbia, USA | 
Vermont Congressman. Advocate for Civil War military members, nicknamed "The Soldier's Friend." Attended local schools. Attended Norwich Military Academy and University of Vermont. Moved to Derby Line, 1828. Successful merchant and farmer. Married Ellen Jannette Harris (died 1882), judge's daughter and relative of Senator Justin Morrill of Strafford, 1832. Orleans County Assistant Judge, 1846-47. Investor in Connecticut River-Passumpsic Railroad. Investor in businesses in Stanstead, Quebec, Canada. Whig presidential elector, 1848, the only New England delegate to support Zachary Taylor. Whig presidential elector and supporter of Winfield Scott, 1852. Became Republican when party was founded. Republican presidential elector and supporter of John C. Fremont, 1856. Elected to Congress as a Republican, 1860, serving March 4, 1861 to March 3, 1867. Personal friend and confidant of Secretary of War Edwin Stanton. Chairman, Committee on Expenditures in the Department of the Navy. Traveled to Fredericksburg with wife to nurse wounded Vermonters. Unsuccessful candidate for renomination, 1866. Remained in Washington DC. A longtime asthma sufferer he contracted pneumonia, which proved to be fatal. Two sons were Union physicians in Civil War including Jedediah Hyde Baxter, who joined Army in 1861 and rose to Brigadier General and Surgeon General of the Army and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Another son joined Army as private, became an officer and received brevet promotion to Major. Civil War soldier's hospital in Burlington was named for him. Portus Baxter Park in Derby Line is named for him. (bio by: Bill McKern)
Family links:
Spouse:
Ellen Judith Janette Harris Baxter (1811 - 1882)*
*Calculated relationship
Search Amazon for Portus Baxter | | | Burial:
Strafford Cemetery
Strafford
Orange County
Vermont, USA |
Maintained by: Find A Grave
Record added: Feb 12, 2003
Find A Grave Memorial# 7179942 |
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