BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

GOVERNOR ICHABOD GOODWIN.

Ichabod Goodwin was born in that part of the ancient town of Brunswick, Maine, now known as North Berwick, in October, 1796. When fourteen years old he entered, as clerk, the counting room of Samuel Lord, Esq., a merchant, of Portsmouth. In 1817 he went

to sea as supercargo to a ship, in the employment of John P. & Samuel Lord, of Portsmouth. Soon after he sailed as master and supercargo of one of their ships, and then became interested with them in the ships he commanded. In 1832 he abandoned the sea, and engaged in an extensive mercantile business, in connection with Samuel E. Coues, Esq., at Portsmouth. He represented that city in the popular branch of the New Hampshire Legislature, in 1838, '43, '44, '50, '54, and '56, and was a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1850. He was the first President of the Eastern Railroad Company, in New Hampshire, and held the office for twenty years. In 1847 he was elected the President of the Portland, Saco, and Portsmouth Railroad Company, which office he still holds. In March, 1859, Mr. Goodwin was elected Governor of New Hampshire, and was re-elected in 1860-his term of office extending to June 5, 1861, covering the breaking out of the rebellion and the raising of the first two regiments of volunteer infantry from the State in the War of the Rebellion. This was a most trying period in the history of New Hampshire, and most nobly and patriotically did Governor Goodwin meet the emergency. The people had confidence in his wisdom and financial skill, and when he issued a call for men and money for the war they

responded promptly. There were no funds in the treasury aside from what was required to meet the ordinary expenses of the State, and the crisis demanded "the sinews of war" in such amount as then seemed very large, and that the quota of men called for by the President from New Hampshire should be raised and made ready for the field without delay. He appealed to the banking institutions and private individuals of the State -those of other States had their own burdens to bearand they promptly and nobly came forward and placed at his disposal six hundred and eighty thousand dollars. To call an extra session of the Legislature would involve delay and a considerable expense, and Governor Goodwin, with the advice of his Council, assumed the responsibility, as Commander-in-Chief of the Militia, to act without special legislative authority. On the assembling of the Legislature, in June, in a valedictory address, he plainly and concisely stated the position he assumed and the motives which actuated him. The Legislature at once endorsed all his acts by unanimously passing "the Enabling Act," relieving the Governor of his heavy responsibility. His administration of State affairs for two years met with almost universal approval, and he left the office with the highest respect of all parties.

As a member of the Legislature and of the Constitutional Convention he took a leading part on committees and in debate. His speeches were never made for show. He spoke only when there seemed to be occasion for it, and then always to the point, and was listened to with great respect and attention, for his conservatism and practical wisdom in all matters of public policy were well known. In all public positions he discharged his duties with fidelity, industry and marked ability. As a citizen and business man he is public spirited, liberal, high-minded, and enjoys the unbounded confidence and respect of all.

GOVERNOR NATHANIEL S. BERRY.

Nathaniel S. Berry, the thirty-sixth Governor of New Hampshire, was born at Bath, Me., on the 1st of September, 1796. His father, who was a ship carpenter, died in 1802, leaving his mother with four young chidren. When Nathaniel was ten years old his mother married again, and when twelve he came with his mother and step-father to Lisbon, New Hampshire. He subsequently served an apprenticeship at the tanning and currying business in Bath, this State. He commenced the tanning and currying business on his own account at Bristol, New Hampshire, and resided there twenty-two years. In 1828 he represented that town in the New Hampshire Legislature, and also in 1833 and 1834. He was elected to the State Senate from the Eleventh District in 1835 and 1836, and was returned to the House of Representatives from Bristol in 1837. In 1840 he moved to Hebron, where he built an extensive tannery and entered into business. In 1841 he was appointed Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for Grafton County, which office he held until 1850, when he resigned. In 1854 he was elected to the Legislature from Hebron, and in 1856 was appointed Judge of Probate for the County of Grafton, which office he resigned the day before his inauguration as Governor of New Hampshire, in June, 1861. was a delegate from this State to the Democratic National Convention, in 1840, and was several times candidate for Governor on the Liberty and Free Soil tickets.

He

In January, 1849, Judge Berry's tannery at Hebron, was destroyed by fire. He immediately rebuilt it, and it was again destroyed by that devouring element in 1857. Each time his loss was quite heavy over and above his insurance. After the last fire he looked over his affairs, and found that he could pay all his liabilities

and have a small amount left. Being then above sixty years old, he concluded not to rebuild, and retired from the business that he had followed from his early youth.

Judge Berry was first elected Governor in March, 1861, just about a month before the first rebel gun was fired at Fort Sumter, and was inaugurated the following June, after the First Regiment had been sent to the field, and while the Second was being organized. It was a position of greater responsibility than any New Hampshire Governor had ever been placed in before, but conscious of the rectitude of his intentions he assumed it with a determination to answer, as far as he was able, every demand of the general government for troops to aid in putting down the rebellion, with promptness and fidelity. No man was ever influenced by purer or more patriotic motives in all he did, from first to last, than was Governor Berry. During the two years of his administration, from June, 1861, to June, 1863, nearly all of the New Hampshire Regiments and other organizations were raised and put into the field; and it is not saying more than the truth when it is asserted that no troops went forth from any state better armed, equipped and supplied with the necessaries of the camp than those from New Hampshire. When in the field they were watched over and cared for by the Governor as if they had been his own children, and many a young man who went forth in answer to the call of his country, will remember the words of encouragement and cheer spoken to him by our good, Christian Chief Magistrate, and his frequent visits to their camps in the field. His faithfulness and patriotism was rewarded with a re-election, in 1862, by a flattering majority.

All of Governor Berry's acts while in office were characterized with care and prudence, and his State papers brief, concise and clear in language and wise and

prudent in their suggestions. When at the end of his second term, in June, 1863, he retired from office, he carried with him the unqualified respect of all with whom he had been brought in contact, and the good wishes of the people of the entire State. Soon after this Governor Berry removed to Andover, Mass., where he still resides, leading a quiet, peaceful and happy life, honored and respected for his many admirable qualities of head and heart.

GOVERNOR JOSEPH A. GILMORE.

Governor Gilmore was born at Weston, Windsor County, Vermont, in 1811. He had the advantage of a good common school and academic education, such as most boys at that time enjoyed. His father died when Joseph was but a lad, leaving him dependent upon his own efforts for a livelihood. He went to Boston while quite young, was clerk in a mercanlile establishment, and afterward was in business on his own account. About thirty years ago he removed to Concord, New Hampshire, where he was for some time engaged in a heavy mercantile business. He was subsequently chosen Superintendent of the Concord Railroad, and was interested as owner and manager in other railroads running into Concord. He was a man of wonderful activity and energy, pushing to completion any work left to his care. In 1858 and 1859 he represented his district in the New Hampshire Senate, and the latter year was president of that body. He was elected Governor of New Hampshire in March, 1863, and was re-elected the following year. His first and all succeeding messages to the Legislature were full of patriotic expressions and suggestions; and in the two years during which he was Governor, he promptly furnished all troops demanded by the War Department in its several calls upon the State, and