Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1908-06-26
THE RETIRING PRESIDENT
Sketch of Ezra Brainerd, for 20
Years Head of MiddIebury
CoIIeue

College.
Ezra Brainerd, who on June "a, retired
from Middlebury College after being for
twenty three years it's president, was
born in the town of st. Adams, Deem
Der II, 1914. He is son of Lawrence
Brainerd, who was born in Martinsburg,
Lewis county, N. Y, October 90 1919.
Lawrence was the son of Ezra Brainerd,
who was born in East Hartford, Conn,
October 10, 1877, and was a son of Ezra
Conn, May II, 1869, a son of Ezra Brain
erd 0), who was a native of the same
place, where he was born August II,
1744; a son of Josiah Brainerd, who was
born in Haddam, May A, I'LL, being the
son of William, born in the same town,
May 30, 1878. The last mentioned was a
son of Daniel Brainerd, who figures as
the original American progenitor of the
family He was born in England, whence
he emigrated to America at the age of
eight years with the Willis family, they
becoming members of the Hartford col
ony under the leadership of the Reverend
Mr.. Hooker.
The early life of Ezra Brainerd was
passed in his native town, where he pre-
pared for college in the public schools.
He entered Middlebury College in Au-
gust, 1860, and was graduated in 1864,
receiving the first honor. Immediately
upon graduation he was appointed tutor
in the college, which position he filled
two years, this being the only instance
save one in which graduate was at
once made tutor. In 1866 Mr.. Brainerd
entered Andover Theological Seminary
at Andover, Mass, from which he was
graduated in 1868. Immediately there
Rhetoric and English Literature in Mid
dlebury College and continued to fill
that chair until 1899, when he became
professor of physics and applied mathe-
mates. He became president in 1885,
and has since continuously been the ex-
ecutive head of the institution, with the
faculty of which he has been identified
for the past 40 years.
In addition to his regular college du'
ties, President Brainerd has devoted
much time to natural science and his
contributions to the botany and geology
of Vermont have been extensive and
valuable. He was one of the three COM
missioners appointed in 1887 to revise the
school laws of the state, in which capac
ity he rendered valuable service. In
1888 he received the degree of doctor OF
laws from the University of Vermont
and also from Ripon College, and in 1906
Howard University conferred upon hin
the degree of doctor of divinity.
December, 1868, Mr.. Brainerd was
united in marriage with Miss Frances
Viola Rockwell, daughter of Sylvester
B. Rockwell of Middlebury. She was {
woman of noble character and refine
ment. She was born October II, 1916
and died January IL, 1898. Elizabeth
belong, the eldest child, is a graduate
of Andover Female Seminary and hal
been successful as teacher. She is now
the wife of Prof. Carl G. Plehn, who &C
University of California. Bertha wal
graduated from Middlebury College anc
is now the wife of fellow alumnus
Charles A. Adams, until recently princi
pal of the high school at Adams, Mass
Frances Viola, also graduate of Middle
bury College, is teaching at Centerville
Cal Ezra Jr., is a lawyer in Muskel
Okla. Miranda Stranahan died in Berk
eley, CAL, January 5. 1908. Alice. the
youngest, was member of the class Of
1904 of Middlebury College.
On Christmas day, 1897, President
Brainerd was married second time tt
Miss Mary Ellen Wright, who was borr
in New Haven daughter of Alvah S
Wright, an influential farmer of tha
locality. They have two daughters.
Since 1860, Doctor Brainerd has been {
men Der of the Congregational church
and he has delivered many sermons il
many towns of the state. He has al
ways been recognized as power in de
veloping the moral progress of the state
st. Adams Messenger.