This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: "John Butler Smith" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (April 2012) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

John Butler Smith
44th Governor of New Hampshire
In office
January 5, 1893 – January 3, 1895
Preceded byHiram A. Tuttle
Succeeded byCharles A. Busiel
Personal details
Born(1838-04-12)April 12, 1838
Saxtons River, Vermont
DiedAugust 10, 1914(1914-08-10) (aged 76)
Hillsborough, New Hampshire
Political partyRepublican
SpouseEmma Lavender
ProfessionBanker
Business executive
Signature

John Butler Smith (April 12, 1838 – August 10, 1914) was an American manufacturer and Republican politician from Hillsborough, New Hampshire, who served as the 44th governor of New Hampshire from 1893 to 1895. He owned Contoocook Mills Company.

Biography

Smith was born in Saxtons River, Vermont, on April 12, 1838. He attended the public schools of Hillsborough, New Hampshire, and the Francestown Academy. He worked in stores and shoe making factories before embarking on a successful business career, and eventually became owner of the Contoocook Mills Company and several stores, and his interests grew to include commercial real estate and banking.[1]

A Republican, Smith was an Alternate to the 1884 Republican National Convention and one of New Hampshire's 1884 presidential electors.[2]

From 1887 to 1889 he served as a member of the Governor's Council, and in 1890 he was elected Chairman of the Republican State Committee.[1]

In 1892 Smith won election as governor, and he served from January 5, 1893, to January 3, 1895. Governor Smith actively proposed programs for preserving state forests and improving roads and highways.[3]

After completing his term, he resumed management of his business interests and served as a member of the Republican State Committee. He died in Hillsborough on August 10, 1914, and was buried at Pine Grove Cemetery in Manchester.[4]

Smith donated liberally to the Congregational Church and several charities, and the Smith Memorial Congregational Church in Hillsborough is named for him. The Gov. John Butler Smith House in Hillsborough was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b Metcalf, Henry; McClintock, John, eds. (1892). The Granite Monthly: A New Hampshire Magazine Devoted to History, Biography, Literature, and State Progress. H.H. Metcalf. pp. 129–132.
  2. ^ "John B. Smith, A Guide to Likenesses of New Hampshire Officials and Governors on Public Display at the Legislative Office Building and the State House Concord, New Hampshire, to 1998, New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources". New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources. Archived from the original on December 3, 2012. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
  3. ^ Sobel, Robert; Raimo, John, eds. (1978). Biographical directory of the governors of the United States, 1789-1978. Vol. 3. Westport, Conn.: Meckler Books. p. 972.
  4. ^ "Was Native of Vermont". Barre Daily Times. Hillsboro, New Hampshire. August 11, 1914. p. 1. Retrieved January 7, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "NRHP nomination for Gov. John Butler Smith House". National Park Service. Retrieved June 3, 2014.

External links

Party political offices Preceded byHiram A. Tuttle Republican nominee for Governor of New Hampshire 1892 Succeeded byCharles A. Busiel Political offices Preceded byHiram A. Tuttle Governor of New Hampshire 1893–1895 Succeeded byCharles A. Busiel


Governors of New Hampshire
Authority control databases
Categories