The Fifteenth Legislature of Minnesota, St. Paul: Press Printing Company, 1873; the St. Paul Pioneer Press, November 10, 1877; the Minnesota Journal of the House, 1874; and the Minnesota Legislative Manuals, 1873 and 1878 list his last name as Brainard. Other sources list Brainerd.
Toensing lists St. Paul as his city of residence. The Fifteenth Legislature of Minnesota, St. Paul: Press Printing Company, 1873 lists Little Canada.
He moved to Illinois when he was 9 years old. He lived in Wisconsin for 10 years. He came to Dayton's Bluff, Minnesota in 1851. He then moved to St. Paul, Minnesota in the same year. He later moved to Little Canada, Minnesota.
He contested the November 4, 1873 election of Lorenzo Hoyt. The Minnesota House of Representatives ruled in Lorenzo Hoyt's favor.
His party affiliation when first elected was provided by The Fifteenth Legislature of Minnesota, 1873.
He was listed as a Republican on the list of members posted after the 1877 election. ("The Next Legislature." St. Paul Pioneer Press, November 10, 1877)