Nathaniel Head

Nathaniel Head ( May 20, 1828 in Hooksett , Merrimack County , New Hampshire , † November 12, 1883 ) was an American politician and governor of the state of New Hampshire from 1879 to 1881 .

Early years and political advancement

Nathaniel Head attended the Pembroke Academy . He then worked with his family in the timber business and in agriculture. At the same time, he was also a member of his state's militia. He soon built up his own existence. He founded a construction company that mainly worked for the railroad, but also built public buildings. He quickly rose economically and socially. He became a director of the Suncook Valley Railway Company. Simultaneously he ran the First National Bank in Manchester and the New Hampshire Fire Insurance Company. Head was also president of the China Savings Bank in Suncook and the agricultural union of his state and vice president of the Historical Society of New Hampshire.

Nathaniel Head became a member of the Republican Party . He was an MP in the New Hampshire House of Representatives in 1861 and 1862 . Between 1864 and 1870, as Adjutant General, he was jointly responsible for leading the militia. In 1874, a candidacy for the New Hampshire Senate failed due to a formal error. But in 1876 and 1877 he was elected to this body and even served as President of the House. In 1879, Nathaniel Head was elected governor of New Hampshire.

New Hampshire Governor

Head took up his new office on June 5, 1879. He was the first governor who could complete a two-year term in accordance with the amended state constitution. Until then, New Hampshire governors were elected annually. During his tenure, a law regulating child labor was passed. Accordingly, children under ten years of age could no longer be obliged to work. A state prison that had been started earlier was completed and opened. A telegraph office had to be set up in every train station in the state.

Another résumé

After the end of his governorship, Head retired from politics. He continued to devote himself to his numerous business interests, but could not enjoy his political retirement for much longer, because he died in November 1883. Nathaniel Head was married to Abbie M. Sanford, with whom he had three children.

literature

Robert Sobel and John Raimo (Eds.): Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789–1978. Volume 3, Meckler Books, Westport, 1978. 4 volumes.

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personal data
SURNAME	Head, Nathaniel
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	American politician
DATE OF BIRTH	May 20, 1828
PLACE OF BIRTH	Hooksett , New Hampshire
DATE OF DEATH	November 12, 1883
Place of death	Hooksett , New Hampshire