Samuel Brenton

Samuel Brenton (November 22, 1810 – March 29, 1857) was a U.S. representative from Indiana; born in Gallatin County, Kentucky. Attended the public schools; was ordained to the Methodist ministry in 1830 and served as a minister; located at Danville, Indiana., in 1834 because of ill health, and studied law; member of the Indiana General Assembly in the Indiana House of Representatives (1838–1841); in 1841, returned to the ministry and served at Crawfordsville, Perryville, Lafayette, and finally at Fort Wayne, where he suffered a paralytic stroke in 1848 and was compelled to abandon his ministerial duties; appointed register of the land office at Fort Wayne on May 2, 1849, and served until July 31, 1851, when he resigned; elected as a Whig to the Thirty-second United States Congress (March 4, 1851 – March 4, 1853); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1852 to the Thirty-third United States Congress; elected as an Indiana People’s Party candidate to the Thirty-fourth United States Congress; elected as a Republican to the Thirty-fifth United States Congress and served from March 4, 1855, until his death in Fort Wayne, Indiana; interment in Lindenwood Cemetery. He was replaced by Charles Case in a special election to finish out his term.

As a member of the Republican Party representing Indiana, Samuel Brenton contributed to the legislative process during 3 terms in office. Samuel Brenton’s service in Congress occurred during a significant period in American history, participating in the democratic process and representing the interests of constituents.