Collection number: MS 258
Size:
(1 folder)
(.10 cu.ft.)
About Samuel Whitney Hale (1823-1891)
Samuel Whitney Hale was born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts on April 2, 1823. He was educated in a common school in Massachusetts and, in his twenties, moved first to Dublin, New Hampshire to start work in business. He then moved to Keene, New Hampshire in 1859 and, upon arriving, established a chair manufacturing business. Upon the success of that business, he also established businesses in the purchase and sale of shoe-pegs and the production of woolens at a mill in Lebanon. He was the director of two banks, proprietor of two farms, oversaw the construction the Manchester & Keene Railroad, and was a founder of the Second Congregational Church of Keene.
Long politically active as a Republican, he first took public office in 1866 and 1867 when he was elected to the State House of Representatives. Just two years later he was named to the Governor's Council and in 1882 was successfully elected governor of New Hampshire. His time in office was defined by issues surrounding the consolidation of railroads. He served one term before stepping down. He married Emelia Marinda Hay on June 13, 1850 and the couple had two children. Hale died on October 16, 1891.
About the Samuel Whitney Hale Correspondence
This collection is a series of correspondence addressed to Samuel Whitney Hale of Keene, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire from 1882 until 1887. After a successful campaign on the Republican ticket in 1882, Hale became the 42nd governor of the state and was immediately flooded with congratulatory letters and letters asking for favors. Some examples include a man requesting a job as a fireman on a "Railroad Locomotive," and a "crippled" woman asking for a bill to be passed. Some letters are from the Republican State Committee in New Hampshire and the United States Senate in Washington, D.C. congratulating Hale on his victory. Many more letters are from banks, insurance companies, and small businesses mostly relating to business and politics. There are a total of 43 letters (78 pages). All but one of the letters are from 1882 and 1883.
Administrative Information
Access Restrictions
This collection is open.
Copyright Notice
Contents of this collection are governed by U.S. copyright law. For questions about publication or reproduction rights, contact Special Collections staff.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], [Folder], [Box], Samuel Whitney Hale Correspondence, 1882-1887, MS 258, Milne Special Collections and Archives, University of New Hampshire Library, Durham, NH, USA.
Acquisitions Information
Purchase: Carmen Valentino, August 2014 (Accession number: 2014.15)
