As a result, his funeral was held quickly, and he was buried at Congressional Cemetery in Washington rather than being returned to Vermont for burial.

[2] Upham then followed an academic course with the intent of pursuing a professional career, and attended Montpelier Academy and classes with two private tutors.

[2] In addition to maintaining a successful practice, Upham also guided the efforts of several prospective lawyers who studied in his office, including Peter T.

[2] Upham became active in politics as a member of the National Republican Party[5] and was an advocate for several reform causes including the abolition of slavery[6] and the temperance movement.

[8] In 1834, Upham was the unsuccessful Whig and Anti-Masonic nominee for the United States House of Representatives in Vermont's 5th District.

[13] Samuel C. Crafts was appointed to fill the vacancy, and served until the end of the term to which Prentiss had been elected, April 23, 1842, to March 3, 1843.

[2] He was an opponent of allowing slavery to extend beyond where it already existed, and voted against the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 and other details related to the Compromise of 1850.

[2] He was also a proponent of the Wilmot Proviso, which would have prevented the U.S. from extending slavery into any territory acquired as a result of the Mexican War.

[2] Upham died of smallpox in Washington, D.C., on January 14, 1853;[15][16] because he was believed to be contagious, his funeral was held quickly, and his remains were not returned to Vermont.