USA > New Hampshire > New Hampshire men. A collection of biographical sketches, with portraits, of sons and residents of the state who have become known in commercial, professional, and political life > Part 6
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H ON. CALVIN PAGE was born in North Hampton, August 22, 1845, and was educated in the common schools and at Phillips Exeter academy. He entered Harvard college as a sophomore in 1864, but left college to take up the study of the law. Since 1865 he has resided in Portsmouth where he studied and has practised law, standing in the front rank in his profession. In the city of Portsmouth Judge Page has been preeminent in official circles, having served as city solic- itor, judge of the municipal court, member of the board of water com- misioners, of the board of education, and mayor. From 1885 to 1889 he was United States collector of internal revenue for the district of New Hampshire, and in 1889 was a member of the constitutional con- vention. He at present represents the Twenty-fourth district in the state senate.
HON. CALVIN PAGE.
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HON. WILLIAM E. CHANDLER.
T O characterize the life of Hon. William E. Chandler needs no miniature painter's brush. The barest outline of his life denotes a career of intense activity. Born in Concord, December 28, 1835, at the age of seventeen he had completed the course of study in the public schools and in the academies at Thetford, Vt., and Pembroke, and was a law student. At twenty he had graduated from the Harvard Law School with prize honors, and before becoming of age he was a mem- ber of the bar. Evincing an eager interest in politics, he assisted in the formation of the Republican party, and has since grown gray in its service. In 1859 he received his first public office-reporter of de- cisions of the New Hampshire supreme court. In 1862 he was a member of the state house of representatives; in the two succeeding years he was its speaker, his second term of office being marked by the most stormy session in legislative annals. In 1864 and in 186; he was chairman of the Republican state committee, previously serving as its secretary. In November, 1864, he was appointed by President Lincoln special counsel to prosecute the Philadelphia navy-yard frauds, and became, March 9, 1865, first solicitor and judge advocate general of the navy department. From June 17, 1865, to November 30. 1867 .- the date of his resignation,-he was assistant secretary of the treasury. In 1868 he was a delegate to the convention that nominated President Grant, and served as secretary of the national committee from that year until 1876, when he declined reelection. In the prepa- ration of the Republican case before the electoral commission. Mr. Chandler was one of the active counsel. April 17, 1882, he assumed the office of secretary of the navy, retiring from that position with the Arthur administration in 1885. In June. 1887, he was elected to the United States senate to fill the unexpired term of Hon. Austin F. Pike, and two years later was chosen to succeed himself for a full term.
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HON. JACOB H. GALLINGER.
F 'ROM the printer's case to the United States senate-this, in brief, is the story of the life of Senator Jacob H. Gallinger, of New Hampshire. Born at Cornwall, Ontario, March 28, 1837, he had only limited educational advantages at home, and he was at an early age thrown upon his own resources to make his way in the world. His remarkable success is due to an untiring industry, which has enabled him to attain distinction in his profession, and rapid advancement in political life. The printing-office was at one and the same time his source of revenue and his preparatory school in fitting himself for his later public career. While learning his trade as a printer, his even- ings were devoted to the study of medicine. After the completion of his apprenticeship, he took a medical course at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he graduated at the head of his class in 1858. For the next three years he worked at his trade, practised medicine, studied and travelled, and in 1861 settled in New Hampshire. He rose rapidly in his pro- fession, and soon acquired a large practice. He early became interest- ed in politics. He was elected to the house of representatives of New Hampshire in 1872, 1873, and 1891, and to the constitutional conven- tion of 1876. He was a member of the state senate in 1878 and 1879, and was made president of that body in the latter year. He was a member of the national house of representatives in the Forty-ninth and Fiftieth congresses, and declined a re-nomination in 1888. In 1891 he was elected by the legislature, of which he was a member, to the United States senate, to succeed Henry W. Blair for the term of six years. He was also surgeon general of the state in 1879 and 1880. In 1882 he was made chairman of the Republican state committee and was three times reelected, serving until 1890, when he voluntarily retired. In 1888 he was chairman of the state delegation to the Republican national convention at Chicago, which nominated Benjamin Harrison.
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HON. HENRY W. BLAIR.
N TEW Hampshire has never withheld honors from her deserving sons. and to few has she accorded richer laurels than to Hon. Henry W. Blair, who was born in Campton, December 6, 1834. Left fatherless when two years old, and motherless at the age of twelve. his boyhood was passed in farm work. His winters he passed at school, and in 1856 he began the study of law, being admitted to the bar three years later, and becoming solicitor of Grafton county in another year. When the war broke out he was refused admission to the Twelfth New Hampshire regiment by the surgeon, as he was previously rejected at the organization of the Fifth New Hampshire volunteers. He after- ward enlisted as a private in the Fifteenth, and was chosen captain of Company B. Before leaving the state he received a major's commis- sion, coming in command of the regiment soon after its arrival in Louisiana. He was promoted to be lieutenant-colonel and commanded his regiment most of the time while it was in the service. His ser- vice in the army had shattered his health, and his discharge was followed by months of sickness and the loss of six years of active life. He was elected a member of the house from Plymouth in 1866. In 1867 he came to the state senate, and again in 1868. As his health im- proved he again took up his profession, and in 1874, he was selected in the old Third congressional district as a Republican candidate to turn a Democratic majority into Republican victory. He did, and was reelected in 1876. In 1878 he declined a third nomination, and was elected to the United States senate in 1879. and again in 1885. nar- rowly losing a third term in 1891, after which he was appointed minister to China but was rejected by the imperial government on ac- count of his opposition to Chinese immigration to this country. In 1892 he was again called to face a Democratic majority, this time in the First congressional district, and he repeated his victory of eighteen years before, being triumphantly elected.
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HON. HENRY M. BAKER.
H ON. HENRY M. BAKER is the son of Aaron W. and Nancy (Dustin) Baker and inherited most heroic New England blood. Among his paternal ancestors were Captain Joseph Baker and Hannah, his wife, daughter of Captain John Lovewell, the famous Indian fighter. On his mother's side, he is a descendant of the heroine, Hannah Dus- tin. He was born in Bow, January 11, 1841. His preparatory educa- tion was in the schools of his town and at the academies in Pembroke, Hopkinton, and Tilton. He graduated at Dartmouth in 1863, and received the degree of A. M. in 1866. In 1864 he was appointed to a departmental clerkship at Washington, D. C., and, continuing the law studies begun at home, graduated from the Columbian college law school in 1866, and was admitted to the bar. In 1882 he was admitted to the United States supreme court. In politics he has always been a Republican. In 1886-'87 he was judge advocate general on the staff of Governor Currier. He was elected senator in the Ninth district in 1890. In the senate he was chairman of the judiciary and a member of other important committees and took a prominent part in its proceedings. He was elected representative in congress from the Second district in 1892, by a good plurality, reversing the Democratic victory in the preceding election. General Baker has been an extensive traveller at home and abroad, and at all times a close student and keen observer. The cultivation of a natural taste for liter- ature has been to him both a pleasure and a recreation. He has made valuable contributions to the New Hampshire Historical Society, of which he is a member, and has given to Dartmouth College two prizes, one for the best words and the other for the best music for an original college song. Mr. Baker has achieved success because he has earned it. He is a good organizer, is not discouraged by oppo- sition, and possesses executive ability to a high degree.
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FRANKLIN PIERCE.
- FRANKLIN PIERCE, the only president New Hampshire has
given the nation, and the last to come from New England, was born in Hillsborough. November 23, 1804. He was fitted for college in the academies at Hancock, Francestown, and Exeter and graduated from Bowdoin in 1824, ranking third in his class. He began the practice of law in 1827. and in 1829 was sent from Hillsborough to the legislature, where he remained four years, the last two as speaker. In 1833 he was chosen to congress and remained four years. In 1837 he was chosen United States senator, and in 1842 he resigned his seat and devoted himself to his law practice. In 1845 he declined an appointment to the United States senate ; he declined also the nomin- ation for governor of New Hampshire and also a seat in President Polk's cabinet. In 1846 he enlisted in the Mexican War as a private. and was soon appointed colonel. In 1847 he was commissioned briga- dier-general and distinguished himself in the campaign that followed as a man of great personal bravery and a soldier of great skill. In 1850 he was a member and president of the constitutional convention. In 1852 he was chosen president of the United States, receiving 254 electoral votes to his opponent's 42. His administration was a credit- able one and after its close he made an extended foreign tour. After this he lived quietly in Concord until his death, October 8, 1869. General Pierce's was a brilliant career. In nearly all that he under- took he stood preeminent. As a lawyer his life was filled with suc- cesses, and the allurements of his profession were sufficiently bright to induce him to resign a United States senatorship and to decline high places in political life. As a legislator he made a mark, and as a sol- dier he achieved favor sufficient to have enriched one career. As presi- dent he brought to his state an honor that no other has given it, and enriched his own life with the highest honor of earth.
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HON. AARON H. CRAGIN.
A ARON H. CRAGIN was born at Weston, Vt., February 3, 1821 ; received an academic education ; studied law in Weston, Vt., and at Albany, N. Y. ; was admitted to the bar in New York city in 1847, and practised at Lebanon, New Hampshire ; was a member of the state house of representatives, 1852 to 1855 ; was elected a repre- sentative from the Third district of New Hampshire to the Thirty-fourth congress,-as an American and a Republican, receiving 12,126 votes against 8,640 votes for William P. Wheeler, Democrat; and was reelected to the Thirty-fifth congress as a Republican, receiving 10,938 votes against 9,841 for William P. Wheeler, Democrat, serving from December 3, 1855, to March 3, 1859; resuming practice, was a dele- gate from New Hampshire to the national Republican convention at Chicago in 1860, which nominated the immortal Abraham Lincoln for president ; was elected United States senator as a Republican, to suc- ceed John P. Hale, Republican ; and was reelected, serving from March 4, 1865, to March 3, 1877 ; was appointed at the close of his second term, by President Hayes, one of the commissioners for the settlement of land titles, for laying out the town into lots and blocks, and for laying out new streets and widening old ones, in the town of Hot Springs, Ark., and deciding who among the occupants should be entitled to buy lots, etc. ; was made chairman of said commission, and spent three years in discharging the duties pertaining thereto. For nearly ten years last past he has resided in Washington, D. C., engaged in the practice of law. In the senate Mr. Cragin was chairman of the committee on naval affairs. The esteem with which he was regarded by his colleagues is shown by the fact that at the inauguration of General Grant he was made chairman of the committee of arrange- ments.
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HON. JAMES W. PATTERSON.
T HE laurels of oratory have been but just now torn from New Hampshire's brow, and the silver tongue of Hon. James W. Patterson, so lately silenced, will win no new honors for his native state. Mr. Patterson's eminence was not attained at a bound. Born on a farm in Henniker. July 2. 1823. his youth was not an idle or an easy one. In childhood he passed a few years in Lowell, Mass., return- ing there in 1838, after two years of alternating work and study in New Hampshire. At that time he began work in the counting-room of the Lawrence mills. resigning two years later to resume his studies in preparation for college, studying Greek at Manchester under the guid- ance of Hon. Moody Currier, afterwards governor of the state. In 1844 he entered Dartmouth college, graduating four years later with high honors. The succeeding two years found him a teacher at Wood- stock, Conn., at the same time busily engaged in reading law, a pur- suit that he abandoned at Henry Ward Beccher's request, and turned himself to the ministry, studying at Yale Divinity school in 1852. From here he returned to his alma mater, this time as an instructor. becoming successively tutor and professor of mathematics and pro- fessor of astronomy. In 1862 he came to the legislature, and won the hearts of his colleagues by his eloquence, going thence in the fol- lowing year to congress, and winning a reelection in 1865. In 1864 he was appointed a regent of the Smithsonian Institution. The comple- tion of his term of service in the national house of representatives saw him transferred to the senate, where he ably sustained himself in debate and committee. He retired from the senate in 1873. His life was quiet until 1881, when he was called by Governor Head to be- come state superintendent of public instruction. In 1893 he returned to Dartmouth as Willard professor of oratory. where his work was cut short by death May 4, 1893.
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HON. EDWARD H. ROLLINS.
TN the senate of the United States, Edward Henry Rollins sat as New Hampshire's representative, and honored himself and his state. He was born in Rollinsford, October 3, 1824, passing his boy- hood and youth in labor upon the farm, in attendance upon the dis- trict school, and at South Berwick academy and at Franklin academy in Dover; in his seventeenth year coming to Concord, where he became employed as a druggist's clerk. In Boston for a few years (until 1847) he was similarly employed, and in that year entered upon business for himself in Concord, where undaunted by reverses he compelled success and amassed a competence. In 1854 political events caused Mr. Rol- lins to sever his party ties and join the American or Know-Nothing movement. In 1855 he was chosen to the legislature and served effi- ciently. The next year saw the birth of the Republican party in New Hampshire and Mr. Rollins stood by its cradle. In 1856 he was again elected to the house, this time as a Republican, and was chosen speaker and was reelected in the following year. He was chosen chairman of the first Republican state central committee and served until 1861, when he took his seat in congress. In 1863 Mr. Rollins was reelected to congress, and again in 1865. In 1869 he was chosen secretary and assistant treasurer of the Union Pacific railroad, having for some time previous, after the expiration of his terms in congress, acted as agent of the company at Washington. In 1871 he was elected secretary and treasurer, with an office at Boston, serving until March, 1877, when he again entered public life as a member of the United States senate. From 1868 to 1871 was again chairman of the state committee. For six years, until 1883, Mr. Rollins was a member of the United States senate. After Mr. Rollins's retirement from the senate he founded the banking institution of E. H. Rollins & Sons, which has grown to be one of the soundest of fiscal institutions in New England. Mr. Rollins died July 31, 1889.
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HON. AUSTIN F. PIKE.
A USTIN F. PIKE was born in Ilebron. October 16, 1819, and his education was obtained in the schools and in the academies near by his home. The ambitious young man studied law at Franklin with the late Judge Nesmith, and was admitted to the Merrimack county bar in July, 1845. becoming at once the partner of his preceptor, the rela- tionship terminating with the elevation of Judge Nesmith to the bench, and followed by a partnership with the late Hon. Daniel Barnard, and with Hon. Isaac N. Blodgett, now a justice of the supreme court, which last in turn was ended and followed by a partnership with Hon. Frank N. Parsons, now of the governor's council. In 1850-52 Mr. Pike won his first political laurels as member of the house of represent- atives, coming again to that body in 1865, and 1866, when he was speaker. In 1857 and 1858 he was a member of the New Hampshire state senate, and president of the senate in the latter year. In 1858-60 he was chairman of the Republican state committee, displaying marked executive ability and political sagacity. In 1856 he was a delegate to the national Republican convention, and in 1873 became a member of congress, serving for two years. Following his retirement from the national house of representatives, Mr. Pike returned to Franklin and resumed the practice of his profession, which was broken in upon in 1883, when, after a prolonged struggle in the legislature, he was elected to the United States senate to succeed Hon. E. H. Rollins. Taking up his duties in the senate, Mr. Pike brought to them the qualities that had marked his career in other walks of life. The chairmanship of an important committee was his, and as a member of the senate Mr. Pike's duties were greatly enhanced. The arduous duties of this posi- tion wore upon him, however, and October 8, 1886, he fell dead, ex- hausted by the intense application and ceaseless industry which were the habit of his life.
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HON. JAMES FRANKLAND BRIGGS.
H ON. JAMES FRANKLAND BRIGGS was born in Bury, Lan- cashire county, England, October 23, 1827, and when less than two years old was brought to this country by his parents, who came at last to be residents of Ashland, where he spent his early boyhood at work in a mill. At the age of fourteen, however, he attended school at New- bury, Vt., and afterward at Tilton, continuing his studies until 1848, when he began the study of law with Wm. C. Thompson of Plymouth and Joseph Burrows of Holderness, finishing with Judge Nehemiah Butler of Boscawen. He was admitted to the bar in 1851, im- mediately establishing himself in practice at Hillsborough Bridge, where for twenty years he was an honored resident, thence removing to Man- chester in 1871, where greater honors awaited him. In 1857-'59 Mr. Briggs was a member of the legislature from Hillsborough, and at the outbreak of the war entered the service, becoming quartermaster of the New Hampshire volunteers. In 1874 he was elected member of the house of representatives, and in 1876 sat in the constitutional convention and also in the state senate. A year later he was nomi- nated for congress, and was twice reelected, each time by an increased majority, serving with conspicuous ability. In 1883 he again sat in the legislature, in 1889 was once more a member of the constitutional convention, and in 1891 was again found in the lower house of the general court. Aside from the duties of his profession, which a large and devoted clientage have rendered increasing, Mr. Briggs has found an outlet for his activity as a promoter in many an enterprise. He is president of the Hillsborough National Bank, of the Granite State Trust Co., Manchester, and of the Queen City Land and Building association, and is a director of the Citizens' Building and Loan asso- ciation, the People's Gas Light Co., and the Elliott Manufacturing Co., no field of activity being too wide for his versatile talent.
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HON. OSSIAN RAY.
H ON. OSSIAN RAY was born in Hinesburg, Vt., December 13, 1835, the son of George and Hannah (Greene) Ray. He was educated in the common schools, and at Derby academy, and studied law with Jesse Cooper at Irasburg, and afterward at Lancaster with Saunders W. Cooper, where, January 1. 1857, he formed a partnership with the late Hon. Jacob Benton. He was admitted successively to the bars of Vermont and of New Hampshire, and, January 25, 1872, to the bar of the supreme court of the United States. In 1867 Mr. Ben- ton was elected to congress, and Mr. Ray was thereafter associated with Hon. William S. Ladd and others until 1883. From then, except for one year, until his death, he had no partner. In 1868 and 1869 Mr. Ray was a member of the legislature from Lancaster. From 1862 to 1872 he was solicitor of Coos county. In 1872 he was a delegate- at-large to the Republican national convention at Philadelphia. From February 22, 1879, to December 23, 1880, he was United States attor- ney for the district of New Hampshire. This office he resigned to accept a nomination to congress to succeed Hon. Evarts W. Farr, who had died in office. Mr. Ray was chosen to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term to March 4, 1881. and was also elected to succeed him- self. In 1882 he was again elected, this time from the Second district. the state having been redistricted since his first election. In congress Mr. Ray served upon the committees on invalid pensions and claims. He took advanced ground on public questions, and was indefatigable in his efforts for the interests of his district, the public buildings in Concord and Manchester being largely the results of his efforts. As counsel for leading corporate interests, his efforts before courts and judges were followed with a large measure of success. To the town of Lancaster he was of inestimable value as a citizen, and his death, January 28, 1892, was a stroke of grief, widespread and personal.
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HON. MARTIN ALONZO HAYNES.
M ARTIN ALONZO HAYNES was born in Springfield, July 30, 1842, the son of Elbridge G. Haynes and Caroline R. Knowl- ton. He was educated in the public schools of Manchester, and when not quite nineteen years of age enlisted in the Second New Hampshire regiment, with which he served until June, 1864, with a record of faith- ful and arduous military service. At the close of the war he resumed the printer's trade, and after a time established the Lake Village Times of which journal he was for many years editor and proprietor, and while there attracted public attention, and was chosen first to be clerk of the courts of Belknap county, then served in the legislature as a rep- resentative from Gilford, and for two terms sat in the lower house of the congress of the United States, where he was prominent in the New England delegation. At the close of his congressional term he returned to his professional duties, and in 1890 was appointed special agent of the internal revenue bureau, with stations first at Cincinnati, Ohio, and now at Boston, Mass., where he has been detailed for two successive years in charge of the New England division. Colonel Haynes is one of the brightest of New Hampshire's sons : a genial, sunny nature makes him welcomed everywhere, and has won for him an immense popularity that he has found of advantage in his various political campaigns. On the stump he is a power, and is called into service in every campaign. As a newspaper writer he evinces more than ordinary ability, and in all the callings in which he has served he has brought a full measure of ability.
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HON. ALONZO NUTE.
H ON. ALONZO NUTE was born in Milton, February 12, 1826. and received a common-school education. Until he was sixteen years old he lived in Milton and then removed to Natick, Mass., where he remained until 1848. He then returned to Farmington, where he commenced the manufacture of boots and shoes in 1849, in company with his brother, Jeremy O. Nute. After four years they dissolved partnership and he continued business alone until 1875, when his sons, Eugene P. and Alonzo 1., became partners in the business as A. Nute & Sons. He was married, April 14, 1850, to Mary, daughter of Joseph Pearl, of Milton. At the outbreak of the war, in the spring of 1861. he entered the army in the Sixth New Hampshire volunteers, and served on the staffs of Gen. Simon G. Griffin and Gen. Rush Hawkins. He was incapacitated for service by reason of failing health, and he retired from service. After the close of the war he was drawn into public life, and was sent to represent the town of Farmington in the legislature of 1866. The next session saw him promoted to the state senate, and serving in 1867 and 1868. In 1876 he was a delegate to the Republican national convention, at Cincinnati. He was always an enthusiastic member of his party and enjoyed an immense personal popularity. In 1888, when it became necessary to overcome an adverse majority in the First congressional district, Mr. Nute was put forward as his party's candidate, and was elected by a handsome plurality. In the Fifty-first congress Mr. Nute served upon the committees on terri- tories and invalid pensions. He was a valuable representative and served his district and his state with untiring zeal. He declined to become a candidate for a second term on account of his enfeebled health, and at the close of his term he returned to his business duties at Farmington. Increasing infirmity, however, compelled him to sur- render his cares, and he died December 24, 1892.
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