Onslow Stearns

Onslow Stearns

Onslow Stearns (born August 30, 1810 in Billerica , Massachusetts , † December 29, 1878 in Concord , New Hampshire ) was an American politician and governor of the state of New Hampshire from 1869 to 1871 .

Early years and political advancement

Stearns attended local schools in his home country. From 1830 he worked in the railway business. At first he was a contract partner in the construction of the railway, later he was on the board of several railway companies. He only became politically active in 1862. As a member of the Republican Party , he was elected to the New Hampshire Senate that year . He kept this mandate until 1864, where he was president of this body from 1863. In the Senate, he was a member of various committees dealing with railways, military affairs, and elections. In 1864 he was a delegate at his party's federal convention, where Abraham Lincoln was again nominated for a presidential nomination. In 1867 he first applied for the office of governor, but failed within his party to Walter Harriman . In 1869, however, he was elected to this office as his party's candidate.

New Hampshire Governor

Onslow Stearns took office on June 3, 1869. After being re-elected in 1870, he was able to remain in this office until June 8, 1871. An Agriculture Committee was established during his tenure. He managed to further reduce the national debt. He strengthened industry and trade in his state to create new jobs and lowered some taxes. The 15th Amendment to the Constitution came into force at this time . On the issue of women's suffrage , the governor was more cautious and more hostile. The same was true of a proposal by the supporters of Prohibition , who proposed the establishment of a nationwide state police. This proposal was rejected.

Another résumé

After the end of his tenure as governor, Stearns returned to his private business activities, including the railroad business. He died in December 1878 and was buried in Concord. Onslow Stearns had seven children with his wife, Mary Abbot Holbrook.

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.

Web links

• Onslow Stearns at the National Governors Association (English)
• Biography of the state of New Hampshire v
• Onslow Stearns in the database of Find a Grave (English)