Samuel D. Felker

Samuel Demeritt Felker (* April 16, 1859 in Rochester, New Hampshire, † November 14, 1932 ) was an American politician and 1913-1915 Governor of the State of New Hampshire.

Early years and political rise

Samuel Felker attended to 1882 Dartmouth College. After a subsequent law degree from Boston University, he was admitted in 1887 as a lawyer. He then began working in Rochester in this profession. Felker was a member of the Democratic Party and the location of Rochester was a stronghold of the Republicans. Nevertheless, he was able to prevail in this city. In 1889, he was a member of a meeting to revise the constitution of New Hampshire. From 1891 to 1892 he was a member of the State Senate. In the years 1896 and 1897 he was mayor of his hometown of Rochester, and from 1899-1913 he worked for the city as a lawyer. Finally, he was elected in 1909 in the House of Representatives from New Hampshire, where he remained until 1911.

Governor of New Hampshire

In 1912, Samuel Felker was nominated by his party as their candidate for the upcoming gubernatorial election. In these elections, he could benefit from intra-party problems with the Republicans. Their Acting Governor Robert P. Bass had no support in the presidential election the candidate of the party, William Howard Taft, but the former President Theodore Roosevelt. Thereupon the governor fell on parts of his party in favor of what the Republicans split. Of which could benefit Felker and his party. Nevertheless, the election result was so close that the legislature had to check the election results before they declared the winner Felker. This was the first victory of the Democrats in gubernatorial elections in New Hampshire since 1874. Ensure that this between 2 January 1913 and the January 1, 1915 could officiate as governor. During this time, many progressive measures have been introduced and re- occupied many key positions in the administration. At that time also a memorial to the former President Franklin Pierce was erected. Otherwise, the term Felkers was uneventful.

Further CV

After the expiration of his term of office Felker opted not to run again. Instead, he was appointed a judge of a municipal court in Rochester. This office he held until 1930. Samuel Felker died on 14 November 1932. He was married to Mary J. Dudley.