USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Hillsborough > The history of Hillsborough, New Hampshire, 1735-1921, Volume 2 > Part 40
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SILSBY.
from Dartmouth College in 1785; studied for the ministry with Parson Lestley, of Washington, and preached in various places until his health failed. He then became U. S. mail carrier from Portsmouth to different towns, until 1815, when he settled in H., living here till his death, Feb. 28, 1833. He m. first, Nov. 9, 1794, Mary Dearborn, of Chester, who d. in that town Dec. 14, 1802; he m. second, August 25, 1803, Fanny Cogden, dau. of Thomas Jones, of Claremont, who d. at Hancock, Jan. 16, 1867, aged 91 years, and II days.
II. CHILDREN, TWO BY FIRST MARRIAGE.
1. Lucinda, b. (date unknown) ; d. at age of 4 years.
2. Almira, b. November 23, 1799, at Chester; d. July 4, 1879, at Con- cord.
3. Mary H., b. May 20, 1804, at Chester; m. Moses G. Atwood; d. August 19, 1871, at Alton, Ill.
4. Lucinda H., b. January 28, 1806, at Bedford; m. September 27, 1836, Hiram Whittemore of Hancock; d. in Antrim, November 30, 1887. One child : Thomas Silsby, b. May, 10, 1845 ; d. July 16, 1860.
5. Frances Ann, b. December 1, 1807, at Sutton; d. December 20, 1848, at H.
6. Charlotte, b. June 7, 1809, at Sutton; d. September 30, 1865, at Hancock.
7. Caroline (twin), b. June 7, 1809; m. Alfred Dow, and res. in Alton, Ill.
8. Hannah J., b. January 14, 1812, at Sutton ; m. at New Rutland, Ill., Nathan Wood; d. November 20, 1879.
9. Martha, b. March 13, 1814, at Warner ; m. John S. Burt; d. Febru- ary 18, 1845, at Hillsborough.
10. George H. H., b. at H., February 12, 1817; rem. to Concord in 1832 ; m. May 18, 1844, Sarah Frances, dau. of Elliot and Ruth (Wil- son) Chickering, of Concord, where they lived; he was a printer and merchant; City Clerk in 1847-1849.
III. CHILDREN.
1. George H., b. January 9, 1850.
2. Arthur W., b. August 28, 1851; lawyer, Associate Justice of Police Court from 1882 to 1894; Judge of Probate for Merrimack County from 1883 to his decease, May 6, 1899.
11. Thomas J., b. April 23, 1820, at H .; m. Mary Burnham; res. at Boston.
516
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
SILVER.
JOHN, was b. in Haverhill, Mass., and m. Fanny Davis of Washington. He rem. to Hillsborough and settled on the farm since owned by Frank Gray; he d. in 1849, 80 years old; wid. d. Nov. II, 1852, aged 68 years.
II. CHILDREN.
1. Harvey, b. in Bradford, October 11, 1808; rem. to H. with his parents when a boy; learned the machinist's trade in Nashua, and then went to North Chelmsford, Mass., where he became proprietor of a large foundry. Served that town in the State Legislature in 1847-1848; rem. to Lowell, November 12, 1851, and was Alderman of that city in 1857. He was an inventor and manufacturer of machinery. He m. December 28, 1837, Abby, dau. of Nathaniel and Betsey (Robbins) Jones of Nashua. He d. in Lowell, July 31, 1884; wid. d. November 20, 1891.
III. CHILDREN, ALL BUT LAST BORN IN NORTH CHELMSFORD.
1. Abby A., b. in North Chelmsford, Mass., October 14, 1838; d. October 22, 1851.
2. Ellen Maria, b. September 16, 1840; d. December 19, 1859.
3. Mary Elvira, b. September 14, 1843; m. June 23, 1870, Daniel Webster Cushing, of Lowell, b. March 21, 1840, s. of Daniel and Elizabeth (Leavitt) Cushing ; he d. July 23, 1877.
4. Edward Harvey, b. November 12, 1847.
5. Frank Walter, b. November 9, 1854; d. June 16, 1867.
2. Daniel, b. May 10, 1810; d. in 1872.
3. Lucinda, b. August 12, 1812.
4. Harriet, b. February 28, 1816; m. in May, 1833, David Roach.
5. Reed P., b. March 6, 1818 ; ed. at Hillsborough Academy and Nashua High School; rem. to Manchester at the age of 20; was Over- . seer at Stark Mills, and had charge of worsted machinery in Manchester Mills. Held a captain's commission in the State Militia in 1841. In 1851 went to Providence, R. I., and re- mained there ten years, first as Supt. in a delaine mill, and then as partner in the Steam and Gas-Pipe Co. Sold out in 1861, and ret. to Manchester; was Selectman in 1863, Assessor in 1865, member of board of Common Council in 1873; had charge of the Concord R. R. roundhouse six years ; was Direc- tor in the Amoskeag National Bank for twelve years; and trustee of Amoskeag Savings Bank. He m. April 12, 1840, Eliza A., dau. of Samuel S. and Betsy (Marden) Moulton, of Man- chester.
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SILVER-SKINNER-SLEEPER.
III. CHILDREN.
I. Scott Erastus, b. in Manchester, July 4, 1844; d. August 15, 1845.
2. Ella E., b. in Providence, April 28, 1853; d. September 12, 1853.
3. Emma F., b. in Providence, April 28, 1853 (twin) ; d. September 26, 1853.
4. Nellie A., b. in Manchester, June 7, 1861.
5. Lizzie F., b. in Manchester, August 12, 1864.
SKINNER.
FREDERICK EDWARDS, s. of George W. and Eliza J. Skinner, was b. in Middlesex, Mass., Sept. 18, 1859, but his parents dying when he was 3 years old he was taken to his maternal grand- parents, David and Mary (Hibbard) Goodwin, Londonderry, where he was ed. and res. until 1883, when he rem. to New York City, living there until 1907, and then coming to Hillsborough to take up his abode at the Upper Village. He m. in New York City, Sept. 27, 1882, Alida, dau. of Joseph and Helen (Van Deusen) Reger, of that city. He is a farmer; his father was a lawyer.
III. CHILDREN, BORN IN NEW YORK.
1. Helen A., b. August 16, 1883.
2. Lawrence E., b. June 12, 1885 ; d. December 18, 1888.
3. Willard A., b. November 6, 1887.
4. Ernest W., b. October 25, 1888 ; d. November 25, 1898.
5. G. Gale, b. February 27, 1891.
6. Frederick N., b. August 5, 1894.
7. Emily J., b. November 6, 1897.
SLEEPER.
GEORGE F., m. April 18, 1852, Ellen M., dau. of John and Sarah H. (Howe) Lincoln, b. May 18, 1833.
II. CHILDREN.
1. Harriett F., b. September 23, 1853.
2. John Henry, b. August 31, 1855.
3. Frank P., b. April 5, 1857.
4. Fred Albert, b. September 1, 1859.
5. Dexter O., b. July 21, 1862.
6. Daniel L., b. December 28, 1865.
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HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
7. George F., b. October 6, 1869.
8. Ellen S., b. June 30, 1872.
9. Charles H., b. August 21, 1875.
SMALL.
JOHN, JR., s. of John and Abigail (Ordway) Small, b. in Goffstown, Jan. 5, 1812, was a cabinet maker at the Upper Village for nearly forty years, during the last years adding coffin making to his work; he served as Captain of Light Infantry, Company, 26th Reg., N. H. Militia. He m. first, Dec. 9, 1835, Mary, dau. of David and Elizabeth (Pierce) Danforth, of Antrim, who d. Dec. 4 1894, and he m. second, Maria Foss, of Maine.
III. CHILDREN, BY FIRST MARRIAGE.
1. George E., b. December 4, 1836; m. Lucy S. Goss, res. in Hudson and Nashua, where he d. October 27, 1900. Children : Clarissa* and Emily ; both d. in infancy.
2. Mary E., b. July 9, 1838 ; m. May 23, 1867, Daniel B. Smith. (See)
3. Clarissa, b. August 11, 1840; d. February 17, 1841.
4. Emily M., b. May 1, 1850; d. May 2, 1850.
5. Adopted s. Alonzo M. Seavey, d. February 11, 1870, aged 19 years, 11 mos.
SMART.
HIRAM F., s. of Dr. William H. and Nancy (Farington) Smart, b. in Hopkinton, Dec. 14, 1834. He learned the printer's trade of G. H. H. Silsby & Son, Concord, and remained in their employ twenty years, after which time he worked at his trade in Portland, Me., Lowell and Worcester, Mass., and at different places in the West. In 1893 he came to H. and established the Hillsboro Enterprise, but, on account of failing health, he dis- continued this paper after a few years. He m. first, Mary J. Evans, who d., and he m. second, Flora M. Brown, dau. of Hiram Brown, of this town. He was an active worker in the Y. M. C. A. and in the cause of temperance.
III. CHILDREN, BY FIRST MARRIAGE.
1. Edward L., res. in Brooklyn, N. Y.
2. Elsie L., m. - Handley ; res. Cranston, R. I.
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SMILEY-SMITH.
SMILEY.
Following the close of the War of 1812, like all similar in- dustries, the woolen factory at Hillsborough felt the depression, and an effort was made in 1817 to revive business. January 17, 1818, several shares of the stock were sold by George Dascomb, Treasurer, though I have not seen the names of the purchasers. March 29, 1819, the woolen factory was offered for rent.
Under date of August 15, the Concord Patriot had the fol- lowing news item:
"John Smiley has recently hired the woolen factory at Hills- borough, where he keeps cotton yarn of all numbers and makes woolen cloth upon shares." Have seen nothing further of John Smiley.
SMITH.
Among the patronymics of the human families that of Smith is the most common. This comes from the fact that surnames originated from terms applied to men in the occupations of the day. Among all the trades and callings not one was as common as the term "smith," applied to those who were engaged in sup- plying the people with the useful and needful articles of everyday life. Hence this class of yeomen were not only useful to the community, but they were men possessed of strong character and rugged ability. Ezra S. Stearns in commenting upon the ances- tors of these numerous families, says most aptly : "In the history of the world the Smith has been a pioneer of civilization in every country and in every clime, and in every age. He forged the swords and plowshares and made the coats of mail and war chariots of all the nations of antiquity. His value as a member of a community was never denied. Among our Anglo-Saxon an- cestors the smith was a member of his lord's council, and at feasts sat in the place of honor, at the lord's right hand. The name an- ciently spelled Smythe, is derived from "smite" and signifies one who strikes with the hammer. It was one of the first occupative surnames adopted by the English-speaking people when they
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HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
stepped out of the twilight of the middle ages into the light of modern civilization." Several families bearing this name have lived in Hillsborough.
THOMAS SMITH'S DESCENDANTS.
LIEUT. THOMAS emigrated from Ireland and settled in Ches- ter in 1720, being one of its original grantees, and active in the work of building up a town in the wilderness. Chester did not escape the depredations of the prowling red men who were on the warpath in those days, and one afternoon while he and his brother-in-law were at work in the clearing they were surprised and captured without being able to give an alarm. Immediately the elated savages started with their captives towards Canada, where they expected a good bounty from the French. At night the captives were separated and each securely bound, their hands lashed to their sides and their faces downward.
Lieut. Smith was not one to submit without an effort, though he was careful to conceal his real intentions, while he bided his time. Each night he noted carefully the direction his brother was taken, and on the third night, when the last of his captors had sunk into the deep slumber that comes in the middle of the night, he began to try his strength upon the ligatures that bound him. Fortunately he was a man of prodigious muscle, and he brought such a strain to bear upon the strong cord that held his arms, that it broke in twain. His hands free it was not a long task for him to free his lower limbs, and inside of five minutes he stood looking down upon his over-confident enemies eager to catch the first movement that might be made. But the red men slept on, and as silently as a shadow he stole away, actually stepping over the body of one in his cautious flight.
Not satisfied to escape alone, Lieut. Smith followed in the direction taken by the party who had charge of his brother, and after going a mile he found him in a situation similar to what had been his. With the craft that an old woodsman might have envied he crept to the other, who fortunately was awake, and with a few mighty tugs at the stout thongs,-he had no knife,-he soon had his brother free, and none too soon, for the twain had barely
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SMITH.
reached the cover of the forest before a wild yell in the distance told that the escape had been discovered. Then began one of those flights paralleled here and there in the days of the pioneers. The second squad of red men were quickly aroused by the outcries of their companions, and they discovered that their bird had flown. Following the course of a stream to conceal all trace of their flight, the fugitives fled until daylight began to streak the wilderness with its silver rays, when they sought a hiding place where they remained until another night had thrown its mantle of darkness, which to them was one of charity, over the scene, and again they pursued their way in the direction of home, as nearly as they could tell. So well did they follow their course on the third night they reached their relatives and friends mourn- ing over them as dead.
Though I have found no record of his wife's family, Thomas Smith must have been married when he came to Chester, and in 1735 his adventurous spirit led him to penetrate still further into the wilderness, and taking his wife and children with him he took up his abode within the territory now included in the town of New Boston, being the only white man in that section of country. If he remained there through the period of Indian invasions and at- tacks is for the historian of that town to relate, but I do know that a grandson of Thomas Smith, David Smith, was born in New Boston, Nov. 24, 1769, the son of Dea. John Smith, and one of 19 children, his mother having been Ann Brown of Frances- town.
This David Smith m. in 1791 Eleanor Giddings, b. in Woburn, Mass., Jan. 20, 1771. He rem. from New Boston to Acworth in 1800, where he remained nineteen years, when he came to H. settling on a farm on the road from Lower Village to North Branch, and known by his name to this day. He was an Orderly Sergeant in the N. H. Militia, and belonged to the "Alarm List" in 1812, but was not called into service.
Mr. Smith and wife were both members of the Baptist Church and consistent Christians. His wife d. Jan. 17, 1852; he m. second, Mrs. Pike, of Goshen ; he d. April 4, 1858.
522
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
IV. CHILDREN, ALL BY FIRST MARRIAGE, FIRST FOUR BORN IN NEW BOSTON, OTHERS IN ACWORTH.
1. David, Jr., b. July 7, 1792. (See)
2. John, b. September 7, 1794; d. November 27, 1815, at Portsmouth.
3. Joseph, b. October 24, 1796 ; m. Lucy Howe; res. in Unity. (See)
4. Jerry, b. December 27, 1798.
5. Ammi, b. August 17, 1800. (See)
6. Sandy, b. May 5, 1802. (See)
7. Luke, b. December 29, 1804. (See)
8. Elizabeth, b. October 17, 1806 ; m. 1826, Hugh Wilson. (See)
9. Lima, b. June 15, 1808; d. January 27, 1810.
10. Rufus, b. December 4, 1810.
11. Levi, b. May 9, 1812.
12. Francis, b. April 6, 1814.
DAVID, JR., was the oldest s. of David and Eleanor (Gid- dings) Smith, and was b. in New Boston, July 7, 1792. While learning the blacksmith trade of Benjamin Burgess, of Frances- town, he was drafted and served through the War of 1812. He m. Feb. 29, 1820, Ruth, dau. of Aaron and Ruth (Downing) Whittemore, b. in Lyndeborough, June 8, 1796. He came to H. in 1849, and settled on the homestead since owned by Mrs. Stephen Dowling. He was deacon of the Baptist Church. In 1861 he rem. to Londonderry, where he d. Oct. 8, 1871.
V. CHILDREN.
1. David, 3rd, b. February 6, 1821; d. September 20, 1830.
2. John A. V., b. July 27, 1823; m. May 3, 1855, Emily E., b. July 2, 182 , dau. of John and Lucentha (Felch) Manahan, of New London. A machinist by trade, he was the inventor of Smith's Patent Steel Speeder Flier, obtaining Letters Patent on five additional improvements, and became a successful manufac- turer of these fliers. Was deacon of the Baptist Church. Wife d. January 14, 1904 ; he d. in December, 1916.
3. Aaron, b. November 27, 1825 ; d. October 15, 1826.
4. Sarah A., b. April 20, 1828 ; d. April 25, 1832.
5. Aaron W., b. September 24, 1829; m. September 11, 1855, Laura Highland, of Bellows Falls, Vt .; res. in Worcester, Mass. He obtained Letters Patent for a new design of horse shoe.
6. David F., b. November 21, 1831; m. July 31, 1856, Jennie Peabody, of Manchester. He was the inventor of a Fly Frame Flier, and
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SMITH.
became its successful manufacturer in Manchester until his death, February 25, 1861. Widow m. Jos. B. Clark. One dau., Mary, who m. George Higgins.
7. Mary A. B., b. August 16, 1836.
JOSEPH, s. of David and Eleanor (Giddings) Smith, was b. in New Boston, Oct. 24, 1796; m. first, Lucy, dau. of Asa and Lucy (Hayden) Howe, of Acworth, who d. in Washington, Dec. 9, 1833, aged 34 years, 2 mos .; m. second, June 29, 1835, Eliza- beth, dau. of James and Eliza (Adams) Young, of Acworth. He was deacon of the Baptist Church for many years; res. in H. and Unity, where he d. May 30, 1882.
V. CHILDREN, FIRST NINE BORN IN UNITY, OF FIRST MARRIAGE.
1. Lima S., b. November 7, 1820.
2. Sidney, b. January 10, 1822.
3. Joseph G., b. May 4, 1823.
4. Alonzo A., b. December 2, 1824.
5. Jefferson, b. August 5, 1826; d. August 9, 1827.
6. Thomas J., b. April 17, 1828; d. in Chelsea, Mass., in May, 1861.
7. David L., b. August 12, 1829.
8. Lucy A., b. May 2, 1831.
9. George W. A., b. September 28, 1832.
10. - E., b. in H., May 31, 1838.
11. Emily M., b. in Unity, September 1, 1840.
12. Levi A., b. in Unity, August 13, 1842.
13. Freeman H., b. in Unity, December 16, 1844; d. February 26, 1846.
14. James F., b. in Unity, November 23, 1848.
AMMI, S. of David, s. of John, s. of Thomas, was b. in Ac- worth, Aug. 17, 1800, and came to H. with his parents in 1819. In 1822, having purchased of John Grimes, at Bridge Village, his saw and grist mill, he established himself in the lumber business in association with his brother Sandy. Selling out his interest here in 1833, two years later he removed to Saxton's River, Vt., and having purchased a woolen mill there he engaged in manu- facturing until 1847, when he returned to H., where he res. until his death, Dec. 24, 1887. He was one of the Selectmen in 1850 and 1851 ; was a Director in the Contoocook Valley Railroad, and also of the First National Bank of Hillsborough. He m. first,
524
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
Dec. 4, 1825, Lydia F., dau. of Dr. Elijah and Lydia (Fifield) Butler, who was the mother of all of his children. She d. April 18, 1865, and he m. second, Mrs. Eveline (Priest) Robbins.
V. CHILDREN.
1. James Butler, b. March 16, 1827; d. June 2, 1832.
2. Julia E., b. September 22, 1829 ; d. March 6, 1830.
3. Eliza A., b. February 5, 1831; m. Frederick W. Gould. (See)
4. James Butler, b. August 13, 1833 ; d. September 4, 1836, at Saxton's River, Vt.
5. Frank P., b. January 18, 1836 ; d. in H., September 18, 1858.
6. John Butler, b. April 12, 1838. (See)
7. Cynthia J., b. June 10, 1839 ; m. George D. Peaslee. (See)
8. Ellen L., b. January 25, 1842 ; d. unm.
SANDY, s. of David and Eleanor (Giddings) Smith, was b. in Acworth, May 5, 1802 ; came to H. with his parents in 1819. En- gaged in business as clothier at Bridge Village in company with his brother Ammi; had also a saw and grist mill, which was burned about 1844, when he rem. to New Boston, where he d. June 4, 1869. He m. first, Susan, dau. of Dea. James and Susan (Center) Eayrs, b. in Merrimack, Jan. 9, 1799 ; d. Sept. 24, 1855. He m. second, Mar. 14, 1857, wid. of Charles Tucker, of Deer- field ; he d. June 4, 1869 ; she d. May 27, 1869.
V. CHILDREN.
1. Susan E., b. December 1, 1823; d. July 8, 1832.
2. James E. M., b. September 19, 1825 ; attended school at New Hamp- ton Academy ; engaged in trade in New Boston with his bro. Dexter; also did a tailoring business. In 1863 he went to New Orleans, but his health failing he ret. to New Boston; from thence rem. to Lowell, Mass., where he d. August 17, 1882. He m. Helen Mary Parker.
3. D. Dexter, b. March 7, 1827; attended school at New Hampton and Francestown academies; worked in a woolen factory in Dracut, Mass .; engaged in trade with his bro. James; went to New Orleans, La., in 1862, to accept a responsible position in the Post Office and Custom House. He m. first, Mary M. Roberts; m. second, Sarah F. Parker; m. third, Ellen M. Tucker.
4. Weathy M., b. August 4, 1829 ; d. July 1, 1832.
5. Luke J., b. July 18, 1831; unm.
EX-GOVERNOR JOHN B. SMITH
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SMITH.
6. Susan M., b. September 11, 1832; m. at Plattsburg, N. Y., Septem- ber 14, 1856, Alden Youngman; she res. from 1832 to 1846 in Hillsborough; from 1846 to 1863, in New Boston; from 1863 to 1884, in North Dorchester ; remainder of life in Merrimack.
VI. CHILD.
1. Charles F. C., b. October 7, 1858, in New Boston.
7. Charles S., b. Fabruary 28, 1842; d. December 19, 1853.
LUKE, s. of David and Eleanor (Giddings) Smith, b. in Ac- worth, Dec. 29, 1804; m. first, June 16, 1831, Wealthy, dau. of James and Susan (Center) Eayrs, b. Jan. 9, 1809; m. second, Jan. 4, 1860, Mrs. Sarah G. Sargent, dau. of Issacher and Mind- well (Silsby) Mayo, of Acworth. He was a farmer and lumber dealer.
V. CHILDREN, BY FIRST MARRIAGE.
1. Wealthy M., b. in H., in November, 1832; d. in New Boston, Decem- ber 30, 1838.
2. George L., b. in New Boston, December 11, 1837; d. at Hot Springs, Ark., July 9, 1884.
3. Mark J., b. in New Boston, July 23, 1842.
4. Charles A. V., b. in New Boston, July 20, 1845; m. October 24, 1867, Martha A. Sargent.
VI. CHILDREN.
1. Charles L., b. December 16, 1869.
2. Minnie G., b. June 17, 1872.
3. George M., b. September 30, 1875.
HON. JOHN BUTLER SMITH.
JOHN BUTLER SMITH, b. at Saxton's River, Vt., the third child and second son of Ammi and Lydia (Butler) Smith, was an especial product of Hillsborough as he came here with his father at the early age of nine years. He was educated in her public schools, and took a college preparatory course at Francestown academy but after two years left that institution to enter a busi- ness vocation. His father had been successful in the manufac- ture of lumber and was a pioneer in the manufacture of cotton goods at Saxton's River.
526
HISTORY OF HILLSBOROUGH.
He was only seventeen at this time, when he became a clerk in a general store at New Boston. Upon attaining his majority he engaged in the dry goods jobbing business in Boston. Aban- doning this after a short time, he opened a tinware business in his birthplace, Saxton's River. Still dissatisfied he removed to Manchester where he became a druggist. While neither of these undertakings proved especially profitable the varied experiences gained were extremely valuable to him in his greater enterprise which was to follow.
In 1864 he began the manufacture of knit goods at Washing- ton, this state, and laid the foundation for his future success. Finding the facilities here unequal to his ambition, after a year he removed to the Sawyer mills in Weare. Again he found the privi- lege unequal to the task he had set before him, and looking about for a location suitable for his purpose, he realized the possibilities of the water power of the Contoocook, and came to Hillsborough. Selecting the most available site he built him a mill and immedi- ately started upon that career which was to place him well beyond the other manufacturers in the country, with the exceptions of the big mills of Nashua and Manchester. From that small but worthy beginning of more than fifty years ago has evolved that successful corporation, the Contoocook Mills. One of his biog- raphers truthfully has said, "Through almost half a century Mr. Smith gave the best that was in him and had every reason to be proud of and satisfied with the record of that business connection. Entering naturally upon woolen manufacture as his life work, through inheritance and inclination, Mr. Smith and his mills have progressed with every modern improvement and invention, but at the same time, and this is one reason for their great success, they have allowed no change from the 'old-fashioned' but fund- amental policy of absolute honesty in product."
In 1882 the manufacturing interests of Mr. Smith were in- corporated under the name of the Contoocook Mills Company, and he became its President and active managing officer. Under normal conditions the mills employed about two hundred and fifty persons. The benefit of such an enterprise to a town like Hills- borough may be imagined but not easily estimated. Her mills
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SMITH.
have kept the town abreast of the times in growth and prosperity while changing her from a farming district to an industrial centre.
Outside of his manufacturing interests Mr. Smith was a public spirited citizen and found time to enter into many enter- prises that were of both local and general benefit. He was Presi- dent of Hillsborough Guaranty Savings Bank for a considerable period. A loyal member of the Congregational Church of the town, he became a liberal supporter and a generous donor to all worthy charities. He was largely instrumental in many of the improve- ments of the church building, and out of respect to his generous benefactions it was named in his honor The Smith Memorial Church.
A consistent Republican in politics, he became a strong factor in that party, and was honored by it with important offices. In 1884 he was an alternate delegate from this state to the national Republican convention held in Chicago. He was also named as Presidential elector on the Republican ticket at the election that fall. He was a member of the Governor's council for 1887-1888, and was made chairman of the State Republican central commit- tee in 1890. He had already, in 1888, been a candidate for the governorship of New Hampshire, and failing to win, four years later, in 1892, he was unanimously nominated by acclamation for the high office and chosen at the election in November by a hand- some plurality, serving as executive for the years 1893-1894. His administration was marked with high executive ability and gave entire satisfaction to the people without regard to party.
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