George Clayton Brownell (August 10, 1858 – May 28, 1921) was an American politician and attorney from Oregon City, Oregon. He was a conservative Republican who represented Clackamas County in both of Oregon's legislative chambers. He served three four-year terms in the Oregon State Senate and was senate president from 1903 through 1904. Brownell was defeated for re-election after he was implicated in a land fraud scheme, but was later exonerated when one of the convicted fraudsters admitted in court that he had forged Brownell's name on the incriminating documents without Brownell's knowledge or consent. Brownell remained very popular in Clackamas County throughout his life. He was elected mayor of Oregon City in 1910 and later served a two-year term in the Oregon House of Representatives.
Early life
Brownell was born on August 10, 1858, in Willsboro, New York. He was the son of Ambrose Brownell and Annie (Smith) Brownell. His father was a mechanic who served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Brownell attended public schools and academies in New York when he was growing up. He married Alma C. Lane on September 28, 1876, in Rockland, Massachusetts. Together, they had two sons.Carey, Charles Henry, "Hon. George Clayton Brownell", History of Oregon (Volume III), Pioneer Historical Publishing Company, Portland, Oregon, 1922, pp. 79–80."Hon. George Clayton Brownell", Portrait and Biographical Record of Western Oregon (Volume III), Chapman Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1904, pp. 88–90.
Brownell studied law in Hudson, New York, under Charles Lewis Beale and was admitted to the New York bar in 1880. He moved to Frankfort, Kansas, in 1884, where he became a successful lawyer. Shortly after his arrival, the people of Frankfort elected him mayor. He won a second term a year later. In 1886, he moved to Ness City, Kansas, where he was attorney for the Denver, Memphis, and Atlantic Railroad. Later, he served two years as county attorney for Ness County, Kansas.
Brownell moved to Oregon in 1891, settling in Oregon City. He quickly became one of the community's most prominent attorneys. He attended the Clackamas County Republican convention in 1892. During the convention, Brownell was elected chairman of the county's Republican central committee and selected to lead the county's delegation at the state Republican convention that year. The convention also nominated him to run as the party's candidate for the state senate seat representing Clackamas County, but Brownell declined the nomination.
After arriving in Oregon City, Brownell became active in a number of community organizations. He was member of Elks, Knights of Pythias, Knights of the Maccabees, Woodsmen of the World, Ancient Order of United Workmen, and Improved Order of Red Men.
State senator
Brownell served three four-year terms in the Oregon State Senate. Prior to each election, he was nominated unanimously by delegates at the Clackamas County Republican convention. He went on to win three general elections by solid majorities. During his tenue in the state senate, he served as president of the senate from 1903 through 1904. Brownell was defeated for re-election in 1906 after he was implicated in a land fraud scheme."George Brownell is Down and Out", Morning Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, June 11, 1906, p. 1.
First term
In 1894, Brownell attended the Clackamas County Republican convention. The convention delegates nominated him by acclamation to be the party's candidate for the state senate representing Clackamas County. He accepted the nomination. Brownell was also selected to attend the state Republican convention as a Clackamas County delegate."It is Named", Oregon City Enterprise, Oregon City, Oregon, April 6, 1894, p. 3.
In the 1894 general election, Brownell defeated W. A. Starkweather, the People's Party candidate, by 327 votes. Brownell received 2,231 votes while Starkweather got 1,904. James Thorne, the Democratic Party candidate, finished third with 1,587 votes."Vote of Clackamas County, June 1894", Oregon City Enterprise, Oregon City, Oregon, June 8, 1894, p. 7.
Brownell took his seat in the Oregon State Senate on January 14, 1895, representing Clackamas County's District 3. During the session, Brownell was appointed chairman of the senate's railroads committee. He was also a member of the judiciary committee and the medicine, pharmacy, and dentistry committee. The session lasted just under six weeks, adjourning on February 23."Senate", 1895 Regular Session (18th): January 14 – February 23, Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, Oregon State Archives, Oregon Secretary of State, Salem, Oregon, accessed October 22, 2023."The Third Day", Capital Journal, Salem, Oregon, January 16, 1895, p. 1.
Since Oregon state senators served four-year terms, Brownell did not need to run for re-election prior to the 1897 legislative session. The 19th Oregon Legislative Assembly began on January 11 with Brownell representing the Senate's District 3. Brownell was re-appointed chairman of the railroads committee. He was also appointed to the judiciary and roads and highways committees. Prior to the Seventeenth Amendment to the Constitution, United States senators were elected by state legislatures. In 1897, Republicans dominated both chambers of Oregon's legislature, but the Republicans were divided between supporters of incumbent United States Senator John H. Mitchell and supporters of Joseph Simon, the president of the Oregon State Senate. The State Senate was organized with a sizable pro-Mitchell majority, including Brownell, but the Oregon House of Representatives was closely divided between pro-Mitchell and anti-Mitchell legislators. The two House factions were unable to agree on a speaker. Instead, they met separately, and in unofficial sessions elected rival speakers. As a result, the legislature was unable elect a United States senator or pass any laws. The state senate finally adjourned on March 2."Senate", 1897 Regular Session (19th): January 11 – March 2, Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, Oregon State Archives, Oregon Secretary of State, Salem, Oregon, accessed October 22, 2023."Oregon General Assembly", Daily Capital Journal, Salem, Oregon, January 12, 1897, p. 1.West, Oswald, "Reminiscences and Anecdotes Mostly About Politics", Oregon History Quarterly (Volume 51, Number 2), Oregon Historical Society, Portland, Oregon, June 1950, pp. 95–110.
On September 26, 1898, the Oregon legislature met in a special session to fill the United States Senate seat that had been vacant for almost two years, which Brownell attended. After much debate, the legislature elected Joseph Simon to fill the vacant Senate seat. The special session was adjourned on October 22."Senate", 1898 Special Session (19th): September 26 – October 15, Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, Oregon State Archives, Oregon Secretary of State, Salem, Oregon, accessed October 22, 2023."Extra Session Launched", Heppner Gazette, Heppner, Oregon, September 27, 1898, p. 1."Joe Simon for Senator", Daily Morning Astorian, Astoria, Oregon, October 8, 1898, p. 1."The Legislature", Oregon City Enterprise, Oregon City, Oregon, October 14, 1898, p. 1.
Second term
At the Clackamas County Republican convention in 1898, Brownell was nominated for re-election to the District 3 State Senate seat without any opposition."Republicans Meet", Oregon City Enterprise, Oregon City, Oregon, April 8, 1898, p. 8. Brownell was opposed in the general election by Charles Moran of the People's Party, W. W. Marrs representing the Prohibition Party, and William S. U'Ren who got support from the Democratic Party, factions of the People's, and some Silver Republicans."Sample Ballot for June Election, 1898", Oregon City Courier (Supplement), Oregon City, Oregon, June 3, 1898, p. 9. Brownell won re-election with 1,919 votes. U'Ren finished second with 1,706 followed by Moran with 250 and Marrs with 202 votes."Clackamas County – Official Returns of June Election, 1898", Oregon City Courier, Oregon City, Oregon, June 10, 1898, p. 4.
The 1899 legislative session began on January 9 with Brownell representing District 3 in the state senate. He was once again appointed chairman of the railroads committee and a member of the judiciary and the roads and highways committees. The session lasted just under six weeks, adjourning on February 18."Senate", 1899 Regular Session (20th): January 9 – February 18, Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, Oregon State Archives, Oregon Secretary of State, Salem, Oregon, accessed October 22, 2023."State Legislature", Oregon City Courier-Herald, Oregon City, Oregon, January 13, 1898, p. 1.
Once again, Brownell did not have to run for re-election prior to the 1901 legislative session because of his four-year term. While his Clackamas County constituency remained the same, Brownell now represented Senate District 14 due to redistricting. The 21st regular session of the Oregon legislature opened on January 14. During the session, Brownell continued to serve as chairman of the railroads committee and was appointed to the credentials, judiciary, and fishing industries committees. The session finished its work and was adjourned on March 4."Senate", 1901 Regular Session (21st): January 14 – March 4, Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, Oregon State Archives, Oregon Secretary of State, Salem, Oregon, accessed October 22, 2023."No Delay at Salem", Morning Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, January 15, 1901, p. 1."Call for Caucus", Morning Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, January 16, 1901, p. 4.
Third term
In 1902, Clackamas County Republicans once again nominated Brownell for the county's senate seat without opposition."George C. Brownell", Oregon City Courier-Herald, Oregon City, Oregon, June 6, 1902, p. 8. He won the general election with 2,130 votes followed by George W. Grace, the Citizens Party candidate, with 1,530. There were two minor candidates who finished far behind, Fred J. Meindi, who received 270 votes, and Caius W. Herman, who got 117 votes."Unofficial Returns from Private Sources of Election, June 2d, 1902", Oregon City Courier-Herald, Oregon City, Oregon, January 13, 1898, p. 7."Elected to Oregon State Senate for the Third Consecutive Term", Morning Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, June 9, 1902, p. 3.
Newspapers reported that Brownell was one of two contenders for senate president. The other senator highlighted as a contender was Andrew C. Smith, a doctor from Multnomah County. The competition between Brownell and Smith was intense; nevertheless, Brownell expressed confidence that he would be elected senate president."After Five Weeks", Morning Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, December 8, 1902, p. 1."Hon. Geo. C. Brownell", Oregonian City Enterprise, Oregon City, Oregon, January 9, 1903, p. 1."I am No Politician", Morning Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, January 7, 1903, p. 8."Struggle is On", Sunday Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, January 11, 1903, p. 1. Brownell was ultimately elected president of the senate after 18 ballots in the senate's Republican caucus."Ready for Work", Morning Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, January 13, 1903, p. 1.