US Congressman. He attended Norwich University and the University of Vermont, and moved to Derby Line in 1828. He was a successful merchant, and became involved in politics as a Whig. He served as Orleans County Assistant Judge from 1846 to 1847, and was an investor in the Connecticut River-Passumpsic Railroad. He was a Whig presidential elector in 1848, and was the only New Englander to support Zachary Taylor. He was a Whig presidential elector in 1852 and supported Winfield Scott. He became a Republican when the party was founded, and was an 1856 presidential elector for John C. Fremont. He was elected to Congress as a Republican in 1860 and served three terms, 1861 to 1867. With several sons serving in the Union Army, Baxter became known as "The Soldier's Friend" for the amount of time he spent nursing the wounded and looking after their interests in Congress. He was an asthmatic, and contracted pneumonia in early 1868, which proved fatal. The Civil War soldier's hospital in Burlington and Portus Baxter Park in Derby Line were named for him.

US Congressman. He attended Norwich University and the University of Vermont, and moved to Derby Line in 1828. He was a successful merchant, and became involved in politics as a Whig. He served as Orleans County Assistant Judge from 1846 to 1847, and was an investor in the Connecticut River-Passumpsic Railroad. He was a Whig presidential elector in 1848, and was the only New Englander to support Zachary Taylor. He was a Whig presidential elector in 1852 and supported Winfield Scott. He became a Republican when the party was founded, and was an 1856 presidential elector for John C. Fremont. He was elected to Congress as a Republican in 1860 and served three terms, 1861 to 1867. With several sons serving in the Union Army, Baxter became known as "The Soldier's Friend" for the amount of time he spent nursing the wounded and looking after their interests in Congress. He was an asthmatic, and contracted pneumonia in early 1868, which proved fatal. The Civil War soldier's hospital in Burlington and Portus Baxter Park in Derby Line were named for him.

Bio by: Bill McKern