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 7
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29
77
.
HON. LUTHER FRANKLIN MCKINNEY.
L UTHER FRANKLIN MCKINNEY, for many years well known as an eloquent, forceful, and popular preacher of the Universalist denomination, and subsequently prominent in politics and public life, was born near Newark, Ohio, April 25, 1841. He spent his early life, when not attending school, in farm labor; commenced teaching in the winter at the age of eighteen; enlisted in the Union army in August, 1861, serving as sergeant in Company D, First Ohio cavalry, until discharged for disability in February, 1863. In 1865 he went to Iowa, where he spent two years in teaching and farming. In 1867 he entered the theological department of St. Lawrence university, Canton, N. Y., graduating in 1870, and immediately entering upon the work of the ministry in the state of Maine, whence he removed to South New- market, N. H., in 1873, and to Manchester in 1876, where as pastor of the Universalist church for ten years he labored with great zeal and fidelity. Politically an earnest Democrat from principle and conviction, he accepted the nomination of that party in the First district for con- gress, in 1884, reducing the Republican majority nearly one half, and securing an election two years later. Defeated by a small plurality in 1888, he was again elected in 1890 by a decisive majority. In 1892 he was summoned by his party to leadership in the gubernatorial can- vass, and made a characteristically vigorous canvass, his opponent, John B. Smith, being elected by a majority considerably less than that of the Republican electoral ticket. April 25, 1893, he was appointed by President Cleveland U. S. minister to Colombia. Mr. Mckinney is a strong debater, an effective stump speaker, and made several not- able speeches in congress, one million copies of that on pensions, deliv- ered in August, 1888, having been distributed for campaign purposes by the national Democratic committee. He has been prominent in Odd Fellow and G. A. R. circles, and was for several years chaplain of the First regiment, N. H. N. G.
78
HON. WARREN FISHER DANIELL.
T HE record of the career of Hon. Warren Fisher Daniell would read like a romance were it not so full of the varieties of life. He was born in Newton Lower Falls, Mass., June 26, 1826, the son of Jeremiah F. Daniell and Sarah Reed, and with his father came to Franklin in 1836, where his father established himself as a paper man- ufacturer. Mr. Daniell's life as a boy was filled with toil. After his removal to New Hampshire he was sent to Concord, where he worked upon a farm for his board and clothes and the privilege of a few weeks' schooling in the winter. At the age of fourteen this advantage was denied him, and he was called home and entered his father's mill as an apprentice, thence to rise to the proprietorship, though not until he had for ten years worked in every department of the mill at Franklin, and had, after that, been employed at Waterville, Me., and Pepperell, Mass., as superintendent of paper mills. In 1854 he returned to Franklin and became his father's partner, this relation continuing for ten years, when he bought his father's interest and was sole proprietor of the mills at Franklin until 1870, that date marking the establishment of the Winnipiseogee Paper company, as successors to the firm of J. F. Daniell & Son. Mr. Daniell then became connected with a large paper house in Boston, but soon afterward returned to Franklin, securing a large interest in the Winnipiseogee Paper company, and becoming its resident agent and manager, which relation he sustained until recently, when he became president of the corporation. In the face of an adverse majority he has frequently represented Franklin in the legis- lature, and twice sat in the state senate as member from a district that no Democrat but he could have carried. In 1872 he was a dele- gate to the national Democratic convention, and has declined time without number other political honors. In 1890, however, he was elected to congress, in a Republican district by a pronounced plurality.
79
-
HON. NATHANIEL SPRINGER BERRY.
H ON. NATHANIEL SPRINGER BERRY, the oldest living ex- governor in the United States, was born in Bath, Me., Septem- ber 1, 1796, a descendant of patriotic Revolutionary stock. At the age of six he lost his father, and his educational advantages were very lim- ited. At sixteen he was apprenticed to a tanner in Bath, N. H., and in 1818 removed to Bristol, where he has since resided, and where, in 1820, he engaged in the manufacture of leather, in which he continued for thirty-five years. For two years he was colonel of the Thirty-fourth militia, and from 1841 to 1850 was judge of the court of common pleas, and for five years, to June 5, 1861, was judge of probate. In 1828, 1833, 1834, and 1837 he sat in the legislature from Bristol, and in 1854 was the representative from Hebron. In 1835 and 1836 he was a state senator from the Eleventh district. For twenty-two years he was a Democrat, and was a delegate to the national convention in 1840. The action of this convention caused Mr. Berry's withdrawal from the Democracy, and he became a leader of the Free-soil movement in New Hampshire. At its first state convention, in 1845, he was nominated for governor and received votes enough to prevent an election by the people. He was four times renominated. In March, 1861, he was elected governor as the Republican candidate, and was reelected in March, 1863. He was indefatigable in his efforts toward the suppres- sion of the Rebellion, and enlisted, equipped, and sent forward to the seat of war more than sixteen thousand troops. He was one of the northern war governors who signed the letter to President Lincoln, upon which he made the call of July 1, 1862, for three hundred thou- sand volunteers. Governor Berry has been a life-long Methodist, and in 1872 was a delegate to the general conference.
80
HON. JOSEPH ALBREE GILMORE.
T HOUGH New Hampshire has given freely to other states, she has not hesitated to borrow, and from Vermont she took Joseph Albree Gilmore, who was born in Weston, June 10, 1811. the son of Asa Gilmore and Lucy Dodge. He was educated in the common schools, and when a young man went to Boston and engaged in mer- cantile pursuits with success. He afterward removed to Concord and became prominent in the construction and management of the railroads of the state. Entering a political career. he was elected to the state senate, and in 1859 was its president. For the two years from June. 1863, to June, 1865, he was governor of New Hampshire, and in that position was most active in the prosecution of the war. His untiring efforts secured the completion of New Hampshire's quota. To the patriotic work devolving upon him he gave the most energetic and devoted attention, and retired from office, after the close of hostilities, followed by the plaudits of his fellow-citizens. But the arduous labors of the governorship during the critical period in the nation's history, and the anxiety that he felt because of his position as governor of a loyal state, had made their inroads upon his rugged constitution, and his shattered health never revived. For the two years following his retirement from office, Governor Gilmore lived quietly, but his span was not lengthened, and April 17, 1867, at the age of fifty-five years, ten months, and seven days, he laid down his life, mourned as the " War governor " of New Hampshire, a patriotic, a faithful, an efficient servant.
81
HON. ONSLOW STEARNS.
H ON. ONSLOW STEARNS was born in Billerica, Mass., August 30, 1810, and for seventeen years lived upon his father's farm, attending the common schools. At that age he went to Boston and was engaged in a clerical capacity for three years, and then joined his brother, a famous railroad contractor, who was at that time engaged in the construction of the Chesapeake & Ohio canal. Subsequently he became interested with his brother in the construction of various rail- roads in Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey, until the summer of 1837, when he returned to New England and soon after became engaged in the work of completing the Nashua & Lowell railroad, being made its superintendent in the fall of 1838, resigning in 1846 to become agent of the Northern railroad, being connected with the corporation from its very inception, securing the necessary legislation and personally super- vising its construction, becoming manager of the road upon its com- pletion and holding that position until 1852, when he was elected pres- ident, continuing his service in that capacity until his death, Decem- ber 29, 1878. His other railroad connections embraced the superin- tendency of the Vermont Central, directorship in the Ogdensburg, in the Nashua & Lowell, in the Northern Pacific, and the presidency of the Old Colony and Concord railroads, and the Old Colony Steamboat Co. In addition he served most faithfully and acceptably as a state senator in 1862 and in 1864, being president of the senate in the latter year. In 1864 he was delegate to the Republican national convention. In 1867 he was unanimously nominated for governor of New Hampshire and was elected by a decided majority. Though declining a renomina- tion, the convention in the following year declined to accept his refusal and again he was called to the gubernatorial chair. During his admin- istration Governor Stearns, by a display of the eminent business quali- ties that had made him so signally successful in private life, added to his renown and greatly benefited the state.
82
HON. JAMES ADAMS WESTON.
E X-GOVERNOR JAMES ADAMS WESTON was born in Man- chester, August 27, 1827, the son of Amos Weston, Jr .. and Betsy Wilson. His youth was passed in farming, and in securing a substantial education at the district school and at the local academies. Endowed with a strong mathematical bent. Mr. Weston studied civil engineering, and at the age of nineteen he was appointed assistant-engineer of the Concord railroad, and was promoted in 1849 to the position of chiet engineer, which he held for many years, discharging also the duties of road master and master of transportation of the Concord and Manches- ter & Lawrence railroads, superintending the construction of the Con- cord & Portsmouth line, and also the Suncook Valley railroad. In 1867, Mr. Weston was elected mayor of Manchester, and in 1869 again held that office, being reelected in 1870 and 1873 also. In 1871 he was the candidate of the Democratic party for governor of the state. and received a plurality of votes and was chosen governor by the legis- lature, being the only Democrat thus elected since 1855. In 1872 Mr. Weston was defeated for reelection, but in 1874 was again the candidate, and was once more chosen governor. Since his retirement from the executive chair Governor Weston has held no political office, though he served as chairman of the New Hampshire Centennial commission, and as a member of the Centennial board of finance. Since the organiza- tion of the board he has been a member of the state board of health. He was for some time one of the trustees of the Amoskeag Savings bank, and is now president of the Merchants' National bank, having succeeded to that office in October, 1880. He is clerk and treasurer also of the Guaranty Savings bank of Manchester, and is president of the New Hampshire Fire Insurance company. Governor Weston has served as president of the New Hampshire Trust company, and in rail- road circles he holds important places of trust.
83
HON. P. C. CHENEY.
H ON. P. C. CHENEY was born in Holderness, February 25, 1828, the sixth child of Moses Cheney and Abigail Morrison. His early days were passed in Holderness, and his boyhood and young man- hood at Peterborough, where, after having secured an education in the academies at Peterborough and Hancock and at Parsonsfield, Me., he was engaged in the management of a paper mill. In 1853 he became a member of a firm engaged in the manufacture of paper at Peterborough, and remained there until 1856. During his residence in Peterborough he entered actively into politics, and was twice a member of the legisla- ture. In August, 1862, he entered the army, and was appointed quar- termaster of the Thirteenth New Hampshire regiment, rendering faithful service until August, 1863, when he was honorably discharged because . of failing health. In 1864 he was chosen railroad commissioner, and served three years. In 1866 he removed to Manchester, to engage in business as a paper manufacturer, and has since continued there, being now president of the P. C. Cheney company. He soon became promi- nent in Manchester, and in 1871 was elected mayor of the city, declining reelection. In 1875 he was made his party's candidate for governor, and under his lead the party succeeded in wrenching from the Demo- crats the control of the state. In 1876 he was reelected by an increased vote. Upon his retirement from the chief magistracy of the state he did not lose his interest in politics, and has been an active and influential factor in every campaign that has followed. In 1886 he was appointed a member of the United States senate, to succeed the late Austin F. Pike. In 1888 he was elected a member of the Republican national committee, and was reelected in 1892, and in December, 1892, he was appointed by President Harrison envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of the United States to Switzerland. From this post he has just now returned.
84
HON. BENJAMIN F. PRESCOTT.
F X-GOVERNOR BENJAMIN F. PRESCOTT, though boasting an extended lineage, has won fame by his own merit. He was born in Epping, February 26, 1833. He was educated at Phillips Exeter academy and at Dartmouth college, graduating with honors in 1856. Teaching and the study of law engaged his attention for the next four years, and he practised his profession until 1861, when he entered journalism, remaining five years. He held office from 1865 to 1869 as special agent of the United States treasury department, was secretary of the Republican state committee for fifteen years, from 1859, and was elected secretary of state in 1872, and was three times reelected. In 1877 he was elected governor of New Hampshire, and was reelected in 1878. In 1887 he was appointed a member of the railroad commission, and was reappointed in 1890. In 1880 he was chairman of the New Hampshire delegation to the Republican national convention. Governor Prescott is a man of literary and scholarly tastes, which have been recognized by his election as fellow of the Royal Historical society of Great Britain, and as vice-president of the New Hampshire Historical society, and as president of the Bennington Battle Monument association, and as trustee of many institutions of learning, including the state college and Dartmouth college, the latter position coming to him in 1878 by the vote of the alumni of the college. Governor Prescott has been often before the public as an orator, notably at the inauguration of President Bartlett of Dartmouth, and at the laying of the corner-stone and the dedication of the Bennington monument. On all of these occasions he acquitted himself with scholarly credit and oratorical dignity. Governor Prescott has firm faith in New Hamp- shire, and a just pride in her institutions, and it is largely due to his efforts that the portrait galleries in the state house, in the rooms of the New Hampshire Historical society, at Phillips Exeter academy, and at Dartmouth college were collected, 230 portraits in all.
85
HON. NATT HEAD.
H ON. NATT HEAD was born in Hooksett, May 20, 1828, and received his education in the common schools and Pembroke academy. When he was but eight years of age his father died, and several years later he succeeded to the business of the manufacture of bricks, adding an extensive lumber trade, and associating his brother as partner. The firm, Natt & W. F. Head, became very generally known throughout New England, and was, perhaps, excelled by no individual enterprise in the state. He was early interested in the mil- itary of New Hampshire, and was promoted through various offices to be chief of staff of Governor Gilmore, by whom he was also com- missioned quartermaster-general, fulfilling the duties of that office with conspicuous ability during the years of the war, adding also those of inspector and adjutant-general. In 1875 he was elected to the state senate, but was unseated by a technicality. He was, however, reelected in 1876 and 1877, being chosen president of the senate by a large vote. In 1878 he was nominated for governor for the biennial term under the new constitution. He was triumphantly elected, and his administration ranks among the purest and most brilliant in our history. During the war his services were most valuable, and in the years following, when as adjutant-general of the state he made up the record of New Hampshire's valor in the War of the Rebellion, his work was thorough and complete. During his official career he travelled extensively, speak- ing on many public occasions, enhancing his own and the state's repu- tation. After his retirement from office he returned once more to business. His health, however, was soon impaired, and after several months of weakness and illness he died November 12, 1883, in the full glow of the love and respect of an entire state. He is remem- bered as. the courteous, genial, generous Natt Head-the friend of everybody.
86
HON. MOODY CURRIER.
A splendid and impressive example of the possibilities for the American youth is taught by the career of Hon. Moody Currier, who has attained to eminence in many fields of lofty endeavor. Born in humble circumstances in Boscawen, April 22, 1806, he early mani- fested those qualities of genius which paved the way to the greatest honors within the gift of the state. Although limited to six weeks of schooling per year. his application was such that he mastered the Eng- lish studies, and was enabled, when not at work upon the farm, to take up teaching. He graduated from Dartmouth college, class of 1834. with the distinguished honor of having the Greek oration. His subse- quent rise was rapid. He was principal of the Hopkinton academy one year, and of the Lowell high school five years. In the meantime he found time to study law, and, removing to Manchester in 1841, was admitted to the bar and practised in the state and United States courts with conspicuous ability. As time went on. he became identified with the organization and management of nearly all of the prosperous finan- cial and industrial institutions of the city, filled all of the intermediate offices leading up to governorship, and was governor in 1885-86. Distinguished for what he has accomplished in public life, and in the building up of large financial and industrial interests, he is also a remarkable man in scholarship, easily ranking first in the state in litera- ture. He has fluent command of many languages, is versed in the sciences, and is a poet of recognized ability, who has given to the world many beautiful productions. He has devoted much time to the study of ancient as well as modern religions, and while not assenting to creeds and dogmas, is an earnest believer in a Supreme Being. Mr. Currier has carved for himself a name on the highway of success which New Hampshire can never forget when she calls her roll of fame.
87
HON. CHARLES HENRY SAWYER.
E X-GOVERNOR CHARLES HENRY SAWYER is the eldest son of Jonathan Sawyer and Martha Perkins, and was born at Watertown, N. Y., March 30, 1840. At ten years of age his father moved to Dover, and after six years in the public schools of that city, he began as an apprentice in the Sawyer woolen mills, and passed through every branch of the concern, in 1866 becoming superintendent, and in 1873, upon the incorporation of the company, being admitted to the firm, and advanced successively to the posts of agent and director to president. The Sawyer mills, over which he presides, rank among the strongest and the largest woolen manufacturing corporations in the country, and the credit of this position in no small measure is due to the capacity and ability of the man who is at their head. The citizens of Dover early came to appreciate Governor Sawyer's qualities, and he was chosen to serve in both branches of the city government. In 1869, 1870, 1876, and 1877, he was a member of the house of representa- tives, and held positions upon important committees, being a working member of the house. In 1881 he was a member of Governor Bell's staff, was delegate at large to the Republican national convention in 1884, and in 1886 was elected governor of New Hampshire, serving in that high office with conspicuous fidelity to the dictates of his con- science, and with scrupulous regard for the interests of the state, retiring with a record for diligence, for honor, and for sagacity that has placed him among the noblest of New Hampshire's rulers. Gover- nor Sawyer, by reason of his prominence in Dover's business circles, has been connected with other interests than the corporation which bears his name, and is a director in the Strafford National Bank and trustee of the Strafford Savings Bank, director in the Somersworth Machine company, and Dover Gas Light company, president of the Elliott Bridge company, and was for many years a director in the Ports- mouth & Dover railroad.
88
HON. DAVID H. GOODELL.
E X-GOVERNOR DAVID H. GOODELL is a typical son of New Hampshire, in that he is persistent, earnest, and successful. He was born in Hillsborough, May 6, 1834. the only child of a farmer. In 1841 his parents removed to Antrim, and that town has since been his home. Though his parents had enjoyed limited advantages, they determined that their son should have them all, and the boy was sent to school at Hancock academy, at New Hampton, and at Francestown, afterward entering Brown university in the fall of 1852. He left college in his sophomore year on account of ill health, and returned to his father's farm. With renewed health, he left the farm and devoted him- self to teaching, quitting that calling, however, again to return to farm- ing as a life-work. But it was not to be, for he became treasurer of the Antrim Shovel company upon its organization, and in 1858 became its general agent. In 1864 this industry was removed to North Easton, Mass., and its plant was occupied by D. H. Goodell & Co., in the manufacture of apple-parers, a business that steadily increased. In 1867 fire consumed the factory, but six weeks' time saw another in operation. In 1871 Mr. Goodell bought the interest of his partner. In 1872 he helped organize the Wood Cutlery company at Bennington, and in 1875 he united it with his business and organized the Goodell company, to whom he transferred both plants. The Goodell company to-day has factories at Antrim and Bennington, employs 200 hands. and has a pay-roll of more than $120,000 yearly. In 1876 Mr. Goodell entered politics by overturning a Democratic majority in Antrim, and was sent that year to the legislature, returning again in 1877 and 1878. In the house he made a mark as a leader in debates and in legislation. In 1882 he was elected to the executive council, and in 1888 he was nominated and elected governor, taking his seat in June, 1889, and serving to January, 1891.
89
HON. HIRAM A. TUTTLE.
T HE town of Barnstead has given many men to the service of the state, among them Hiram A. Tuttle, just now retired from office with the proud knowledge of a popularity merited by his worth. Gov- ernor Tuttle was born fifty-six years ago. His boyhood and youth were spent in labor as a farmer and a shoe-maker. When he was seventeen years old he entered a clothing house, and some years later became manager of a branch house for the firm in Pittsfield, soon after- ward becoming proprietor. During all the years of his residence in Pitts- field no public enterprise has gone forward without his active and cheerful cooperation. He is a trustee of the savings bank, a director in the National bank, and a trustee of Pittsfield academy. In 1873 and 1874 Governor Tuttle represented Pittsfield in the legislature ; in 1876 he served on Governor Cheney's staff with the rank of colonel. In 1878 he was a mem- ber of the governor's council, and a year later was reelected under the new constitution for a term of two years. Governor Tuttle was always prominent in his party, and in 1888 his name was presented to the state convention as a candidate for governor. Failing to receive the nomination that year it was accorded him in 1890 with practical una- nimity, and he took his seat in January, 1891, after a most spirited contest. The duties of the governorship were discharged by him with marked fidelity and credit. His administration was marked by many events of more than ordinary public importance, and through them all Governor Tuttle was conspicuous for his unswerving steadfastness of purpose. Few men have so grown in public esteem as did Governor Tuttle during his term of office. Governor Tuttle's life has been busy, honorable, and happy. At home and abroad, in public and private life, he is the same unassuming, kindly, sympathetic gentleman that all have ever found him to be.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.