Walter Harriman

Walter Harriman (1883)

Walter Harriman (born April 8, 1817 in Warner , Merrimack County , New Hampshire , † July 25, 1884 ibid) was an American politician and governor of the state of New Hampshire from 1867 to 1869 .

Early years

Walter Harriman attended the Heniker Academy and the Hopkinton Academy . He then worked between 1835 and 1840 in the states of New Hampshire, Massachusetts and New Jersey as a teacher. Harriman also studied theology and then became a preacher for a few years. Eventually he opened a general store in Warner.

Political rise

Harriman's political career began in 1849 with his election to the New Hampshire House of Representatives . He held this mandate until 1850. Between 1858 and 1859 he was again a member of this body. During these years he was a member of the Democratic Party . From 1853 to 1854 he was Treasury Secretary of New Hampshire and from 1855 to 1856 he was employed by the federal government in Washington . Between 1859 and 1861 he was a member of the New Hampshire Senate .

His political career was then interrupted by the civil war. Walter Harriman became a regiment colonel and took part in a number of battles. In the meantime he was taken prisoner of war, but was exchanged again. When the war ended he was Brevet - Brigadier General . In 1863 he had briefly suspended his military service to run for governor of New Hampshire. After the candidacy was unsuccessful, he returned to the military.

New Hampshire Governor

After the war, Harriman switched to the Republican Party . Between 1865 and 1867 he was Secretary of State in the government of Governor Frederick Smyth . In 1867 he was elected governor of his state. Harriman took up his new office on June 6, 1867. After re-election in 1868, he was able to remain in this office until June 2, 1869. During these two years the governor promoted the development of the education system in his state. Among other things, special schools for teacher training were set up. He also supported agriculture, forestry and industry in his state.

Another résumé

After the end of his tenure, Harriman was employed by the Boston Harbor Administration. He held this position between 1869 and 1877. He also published some history books, most of which dealt with his native New Hampshire. Since he went on trips more often after his active time, he also published some travelogues about Europe and the Far East. Walter Harriman died in 1884. He was married three times and had three children in total.

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

• Walter Harriman in the National Governors Association (English)
• Biography of New Hampshire (English)
• Walter Harriman in the database of Find a Grave (English)