Nathaniel Head

Nathaniel Head ( born May 20, 1828 in Hooksett, Merrimack County, New Hampshire, † November 12, 1883 ) was an American politician and 1879-1881 Governor of the State of New Hampshire.

Early years and political rise

Nathaniel Head attended Pembroke Academy. Afterwards he worked with his family in the lumber business and in agriculture. At the same time he was also a member of the militia of his state. Soon he built a life for themselves. He founded a construction company that worked primarily for the railroad, but also built public buildings. He quickly rose to economically and socially. He became director of the Suncook Valley Railroad Company. At the same time, he headed the First National Bank of Manchester and the Fire Insurance Company of New Hampshire. Head also was president of the Savings Bank of China in Suncook and the farmer's association of his state and vice president of the Historical Society of New Hampshire.

Head Nathaniel became a member of the Republican Party. In the years 1861 and 1862 he was a member of the House of Representatives from New Hampshire. Between 1864 and 1870 he was responsible for the leadership of the militia as adjutant general. In 1874, a failed candidacy to the Senate from New Hampshire on a form error. But in the years 1876 and 1877 he was elected to the Board and served there even as president of the house. In 1879, Nathaniel Head was elected governor of New Hampshire.

Governor of New Hampshire

Head took up his new post on June 5, 1879. He was the first governor who was able to complete in accordance with the amended constitution a two-year term of office. Until then, the governors of New Hampshire were elected annually. During his tenure, a law regulating child labor was adopted. Thus, children could no longer be obliged to work under ten years. A previously begun a state prison was completed and opened. In every station of the state, a telegraph office had to be established.

Further CV

After the end of his governorship to Head withdrew from politics. He also devoted himself to his numerous business interests, his political retirement, but was not able to enjoy long, because he already died in November 1883. Nathaniel Head was married to Abbie M. Sanford, with whom he had three children.