Brainard came to Chicago in 1836, at the age of 24, and immediately set up a medical practice, soon after which he applied to the Illinois state legislature for a charter for what was to become Rush Medical College.
Brainard arrived in Chicago in 1836, at the age of 24, and promptly established a medical practice, shortly thereafter submitting an application to the Illinois state legislature for a charter for what would eventually become Rush Medical College.