Complex sentence: Smith entered the Legislature as St. Albans' representative in 1860, and in 1861 and 1862 was speaker of the House, winning such popularity that he was unanimously nominated for Governor in 1863, succeeding Frederick Holbrook, and re-elected in 1864.
Split into simpler sentences: Smith entered the Vermont House of Representatives in 1860, and in 1861 and 1862 was Speaker. In 1863 he was elected Governor in 1863, succeeding Frederick Holbrook, and he was re-elected in 1864.