New Hampshire Men Were Suffragists

Metal political pin button, “Equal Suffrage” circa 1912. Donated to NH Historical Society by Stanley Hamel in 2007. Used with permission.

When we think of the events leading up to the passage of the 19th Amendment, we picture women in white parading in orderly fashion down wide avenues, or wearing large hats carrying placards in front of the White House. In fact there were many men who supported woman suffrage in New Hampshire, but they are rarely written about. For every man mentioned here there were probably many more unsung heroes of the suffrage movement. If you know of more, please mention them in a comment to this post.

Some of these leading men were: Hon. Henry W. Blair, Hon. Oliver E. Branch, Sherman Everett Burroughs, Witter Bynner, Clarence E. Carr, Benjamin Warren Couch, J.H. Gallinger, Henry Harrison Metcalf, Gov. Henry B. Quinby, and Arthur Thompson. Their biographies and photographs are presented here.

=====Hon. Henry W. Blair=====

Photograph of Hon. Henry W. Blair of New Hampshire. Glass negative, c1865-1880. Brady-Handy Collection. Library of Congress.

Henry Willian Blair was born 6 Dec 1834 in Campton NH,  son of William H. & Lois (Baker) Blair. He married 20 Dec 1859 in Hebron NH to Eliza A. Nelson, daughter of William Nelson. She was b. in Plymouth NH.   Henry W. Blair is buried in Blair Cemetery, Campton, New Hampshire.

–Biography–
Henry W. Blair’s biography is extensive and well documented. Appletons’ Cyclopedia of American Biography 1600-1889; published 1888 page 281.
BLAIR, Henry William, senator, b. in Campton, NH 6 Dec 1834. His parents died before he had completed his thirteenth year, and his boyhood was spent in the family of Richard Bartlett, of Campton, where he worked on the farm, and attended school at intervals until he was seventeen, when he began to teach, hoping to earn enough money to take him through college. Compelled by ill health to give up this plan, he read law with William Leverett of Plymouth, NH, was admitted to the bar in 1859, and in 1860 was elected prosecuting attorney for Grafton County (NH). When the civil war bean he enlisted in the 15th New Hampshire volunteers, was chosen captain of his company, soon became major, and finally lieutenant-colonel. He was twice wounded severely at the siege of Port Hudson, and was prevented by his wounds, and disease contracted in service, from taking any active part in the remainder of the war. He was elected to the New Hampshire house of representatives in 1866, and in 1867 and 1868 to the state senate. He served in the U.S. house of representatives from 1875 to 1879, and declining a renomination, was elected to the U.S. Senate in the latter year, and re-elected in 1885. Senator Blair has given much attention to social questions, and is an ardent temperance reformer. He is the author of the “Blair Common School Bill,” which was introduced by him in the 47th Congress. As passed by the senate in April 1884, the bill appropriates $77,000,000 to be distributed among the states in proportion to their illiteracy. In the original bill the amount of 105,000,000. In the 49th congress the senate again passed the bill making the appropriate $79,000,000. Senator Blair has also introduced prohibitory temperance and woman suffrage amendments to the national constitution, is the author of the Blair scientific temperance education bill and the Blair pension bill, and has made important speeches on financial subjects.

–Suffrage Work–
As a Republican Senator from New Hampshire, Henry W. Blair frequently promoted the cause of suffrage.  On 8 Dec 1886 Senator Henry W. Blair delivered a joint resolution on an Amendment to Extend Suffrage to Women (in Congress)
He was an Honorary VP of the New Hampshire Woman Suffrage Association.

–Added Genealogy–
Hon. Henry W. Blair was a descendant of Moses Baker, a member of the provincial congress in 1775 and Capt Major in Dec 1775. Siege of Boston, Winter’s Hill.
*Moses Baker
Benjamin Baker & Ruth True
Moses Baker & Deborah Davis
Moses Baker & Molly Wyatt
William Henry Blair & Lois BAKER
Hon. Henry William Blair*

=====Hon. Oliver E. Branch=====

Photograph of Oliver E Branch from Men of progress, biographical sketches and portraits, etc by Richard Herndon. Internet Archive

Oliver Ernesto Branch was born in North Madison Ohio, son of William W.  & Lucy J. (Bartram) Branch.  He married 17 Oct 1878 in N. Weare NH to Sadie M. Chase, dau of John W. & Hannah D. (Dow) Chase.  Oliver E. Branch attended Hamilton College in NY (freshman in 1869).  In 1873 he was awarded a Kingsley prize in extemporaneous Debate.

–Biography–
From: Men of progress, biographical sketches and portraits of leaders in business and professional life in and of the state of New Hampshire, compiled by RIchard Herndon, 1898, page 83:  BRANCH, Oliver Ernesto, Ex-United States District Attorney for New Hampshire, Manchester, was born in Madison, Lake county, Ohio, July 19, 1847, son of William Witter and Lucy J. (Bartram) Branch.  Mr. Branch attended the public schools of Madison, Madison Seminar and Whitestown Seminar at Whitesborough, New York. He entered Hamilton College in September 1869, graduataing on 25 June 1873. Upon leaving college he was Princpal of Forestville Free Academy and Union School at Forestville NY for two years. He entered Columbia College Law School in September 1875, graduating in May 1877. He was Instructor in Latin and History in the Brooklyn Polytechnic and Collegiate Institute, at Brooklyn, from September 1876 to June 1877. He received the degree of A.M. from Hamilton in 1876, and from Dartmouth in 1896. Mr. Branch was admitted to the bar in New York in June 1877 and in New Hampshire in June 1884. He began the practice of law in New York with his brother in the fall of 1877 and remained there until 1883 when he moved to New Hampshire and engaged in literary work in Weare. He was elected in 1887 to the New Hampshire Legislature, and took a leading part in the famous railroad fight of that session, and was re-elected in 1889, when he was the Democratic candidate for Speaker. Since 1889 he as been in active practice in Manchester, New Hampshire, removing there from Wear in 1894. He has been counsel for the Boston & Maine Railroad and all important litigation for the last ten years…. He made a special practice of corporation law….Mr. Branch was appointed United States District Attorney for the District of New Hampshire by President Cleveland 15 March 1894 and held the office four years. He was moderator for the town of Weare from 1884 to 1892. He is Vice-President of the New England Association of the Hamilton College Alumni, and of the New England Association of Delta Upsilon Fraternity. He is also a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society and of the Delta Upsilon of Hamilton College….He was permanent Chairman of the Democratic State Committee of New Hampshire in 1892. Mr. Branch married at Weare (NH) October 17, 1878 to Sarah M. Chase. They have four children: Oliver Winslow, Dorothy Witter, Frederick William and Randolph Wellington Branch.

—–Suffrage Work—–
In the legislature of 1887, Hon. Oliver E. Branch gave an address in favor of extending municipal suffrage to women. The committee reported favorably, but the bill was defeated in the house. He was a staunch friend of woman suffrage and a member of the first special committee ever appointed to look after the interests of women in the United States Senate.

=====Sherman Everett Burroughs=====

Portrait of Sherman E. Burroughs. Manchester Historic Association. Used with Permission.

Sherman Everett Burroughs was born 6 Feb 1870 in Dunbarton NH and died 27 Jan 1923 in Washington DC. He is buried in Pine Grove Cemetery, Manchester NH.

–Biography–
Sherman E. Burroughs was an 1894 alumni of Dartmouth College. He was a lawyer, in general practice in Manchester NH.  According to the MHA, “He was a member of the U. S. House of Representatives from NH’s first district (1917-1923). In 1916 he lived at 753 Chestnut St. He is buried in the Valley Cemetery.”  [Note: this is incorrect, he is buried in Pine Grove Cemetery in Manchester NH] He married Helen Sophie Phillips and had four sons.

From The Granite monthly: a magazine of literature, 1919, page 21-22. Sherman E. Burroughs of Manchester, reelected to Congress from the First New Hampshire District, was born in Dunbarton February 6, 1870, the son of John H. and Helen M. (Baker) Burroughs. He attended the town schools of Dunbarton and Bow, and prepared at the Concord high school for Dartmouth College, from which institution he graduated with high honors and the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1894. While at college he was especially distinguished as a speaker, but was prominent in various activities. After graduation he went to Washington as secretary to his uncle, the late Congressman Henry M. Baker, at the same time studying law and receiving the degrees of Bachelor of Laws and Master of Laws from Columbian University. Admitted ot the New Hampshire bar in 1897, he has practiced his profession since that year in the city of Manchester most of the time as a member of the leading firm headed by Hon. David A. Taggart. In 1901 he was a member of the Legislature from his old home town of Bow and served with distinction on the judiciary committee, also taking a prominent part in the debates of the session; but with this exception he found no time for political service until his election to the national House in 1917 to fill out the unexpected term of the late Congressman Cyrus A. Sulloway. In the brief period of his official residence at Washington he already has established himself firmly in the estimation of his colleagues as a valuable member…He was a member of the state board of charities and corrections from 1901 to 1917 and its chairman after 1911 and is now the president of the New Hampshire Children’s Aid and Protective Society. He is an Episcopalian and a trustee of the diocesan Orphans’ Home; a thirty-second degree Mason and a member of various clubs. He married 21 April 1898, Helen S. Phillips, and they have four sons, Robert P., John H., Sherman E. Jr., and Henry B., the oldest of whom is now following in his father’s footsteps at Dartmouth.

–Suffrage Work–
Sherman E. Burroughs, Manchester; the World Suffrage Association held its 17th annual meeting in 1914, he was among the executive committee from New Hampshire

=====Witter Bynner=====

In March of 1917 Witter Bynner applied for a passport to sail to Japan and China to ‘collect material for writing.’ Passport photo.

Witter Bynner, son of Thomas Edgarton & Annie Louise (Brewer) Bynner was born on 10 August 1881 in Brooklyn New York and died 1 June 1968 in Santa Fe, NM. He is buried Santa Fe, New Mexico.

–Biography–
Author, poet and educator. He graduated from Harvard in 1902. [See biography at the Poetry Foundation].

—–Suffrage Work—–
While living in Cornish NH,  the World Suffrage Association held its 17th annual meeting in 1914, and he was listed as one of the executive committee from New Hampshire

–Additional Information–
SEE Witter Bynner Fellows

=====Clarence E. Carr=====

Photo from One Thousand New Hampshire Notables, ed by H.H. Metcalf and Frances M. Abbott, 1919

Clarence Edgar Carr was born 31 January 1835 in Enfield, Grafton Co. NH, son of John Preston & Emily A. (Codman) Carr. He married 1st) Ella Barron, daughter of Rev. Thompson Barron. She died in 1876 leaving one daughter Ella, educated at Wellesley and Radcliffe colleges and in Germany, later living in Andover NH. He m2d) Carrie E. Proctor, daughter of Amos H. & Emeline M. Proctor. Two sons, Proctor (Harvard 1904) general sales agent U.S. Hame Co., Buffalo NY (married one daughter), and John P. (Harvard 1911, Law 1914) a lawyer in Boston, MA. He died 7 Aug 1931 in Andover NH, aged 78 and is buried in Proctor Cemetery, Andover NH.

–Biography–
Lawyer, manufacturer, publicist; educated in public schools of Andover, New London and Kimball Union Academies and Dartmouth College, 1875. He studied law with the Hon. John M. Shirley of Andover and was admitted to the bar in 1878. He stopped the practice of law in 1883 on account of health and entered in a home manufacturing business with his father and elder brother until he retired in 1912. Democrat. member NH house of representatives 1878, 1879. President Democratic state convention 1902. Democratic candidate for governor 1908, 1910. Unitarian. President of the NH Unitarian conference, 12 years; director American Unitarian Association 1906-1912; trustee and treasurer of Proctor Academy; president NH Defense League 1916; chairman, executive committee NH League to Provide for National Defense and to Enforce International Peace 1916–; member, executive committee NH Committee on Public Safety; executive Committee NH Red Cross Association; First President United Life and Accident Insurance CO., Concord. Trustee of Franklin Savings Bank; member Kearsarge Lodge A.F. & A.M. and Blackwater Grange, P. of H., Andover NH.

—–Suffrage Work—–
Clarence E. Carr, Andover NH; the World Suffrage Association held its 17th annual meeting in 1914, he was among elected vice president(s) from New Hampshire

=====Benjamin Warren Couch=====

Photograph of Benjamin Warren Couch from One Thousand NH Notables. Internet Archive.

Benjamin Warren Couch was born 19 Aug 1873 in Concord NH, son of Benjamin W. & Susan Cornell (Woodward) Couch. He died 3 Nov 1945 Concord NH.  He is buried in Blossom Hill Cemetery.  He married 8 Nov 1900 in Concord NH to Gertrude A. Underhill, daughter of George F. & Eizabeth A. (Danforth) Underhill. She was b in Concord NH, and d. 15 Aug 1945 in Concord NH.

–Biography–
Benjamin Warren Couch– Lawyer; b. Concord NH Aug 19, 1873; s Benjamin Warren and Susan Cornell (Woodward) Couch; ed. Concord high school; Dartmouth College 1896, Harvard Law School 1899; admitted to the bar June 1899; entered office of Leach & Stevens; admitted to the firm Jan 1, 1901; now member of the firm of Stevens, Couch & Stevens formed Jan 1, 1914; Unitarian; Republican; member and president Concord city council 1905-6; member Concord police commission, 1906-9; trustee NH State Hospital 1907-13; member NH House of Representatives and chairman judiciary committee 19111-13-15-17; member NH Board of Control 1913-15; chairman State Board of Trestees 1917-; trustee Merrimack County Savings Bank; treasurer Concord Gas Light Co.; Mason; member Wonolancet, Passaconaway, Beaver Meadow and Bow Brook clubs; m. Nov 10 1900 Gertrude A. Underhill of Concord. Residence, Concord NH.

—–Suffrage Work—–
B.W. Couch, Concord ; the World Suffrage Association held its 17th annual meeting in 1914, he was among the executive committee from New Hampshire

—Additional Genealogy—
Descendant of John Couch & Polly Gordon; signed the association test in Boscawen NH in 1776 (NH State Papers Vol 30 page 16) and on May 26, 1775 enlisted privatein Col Enoch Poor’s Regiment (NH State Papers Vol 14, page 122.

=====Jacob Harold Gallinger=====

Jacob Harold Gallinger, Late a Senator from New Hampshire; Memorial Addressed delivered in the Senate and the House of Representatives of the United States, January 19, 1919. Internet Archive.

Jacob Harold Gallinger was born on 28 March 1837 at Cornwall, Ontario Canada, son of
He died d. 17 Aug 1918 in Franklin NH, and is buried in Blossom Hill Cemetery, Concord NH. He immigrated to the United States in 1852 and became a naturalized citizen on 29 February 1864. He married Mary Ann Bailey.

Children of Jacob H. & Mary Ann (Bailey) Gallinger:
1. Katharine C. Gallinger, b 26 July 1866 in Concord NH, d. 7 March 1957. Buried Edgewood Cemetery Nashua NH; m. 10 Oct 1888 to Harry A. Norton, son of A.M. & Leone (Foster) NOrton.
2. William H. Gallinger, b abt 1870 NH; died 26 Oct 1909 in Manhattan NY. Buried Blossom Hill Cemetery, Concord NH.
3. Ralph E. Gallinger, b 17 July 1872 Concord NH, died 12 July 1911 in Pembroke NH in an automobile accident; physician. He m. 6 Feb 1908 in Concord NH to Jeanette Emma King, daughter of Andrew Davis & Emma L. (Draper) King.

–Biography–
U.S. Congressman, U.S. Senator; newspaper publisher. Attended New York Medical College, Flower & Fifth Avenues Hospital, New York: Graduated from Homeopathic Med. Coll of NY, in 1869. Practiced in NH as a homeopathic physician; Appointed NH Surgeon General. He championed prohibition and woman’s suffrage.  [See extensive biography at Wikipedia].

—–Suffrage Work—–
Jacob H. Gallinger, Concord: An officer of the New Hampshire Woman Suffrage Association, he was outspoken political leader advocate for school suffrage campaign.

=====Henry Harrison Metcalf=====

One Thousand New Hampshore Notables, ed by H.H. Metcalf and Frances M. Abbott, 1919. Internet Archive.

Henry Harrison Metcalf was born in Newport NH on April 7, 1841, son of Joseph P. and Lucy (Gould) Metcalf.  He married 18 Dec 1869 Mary Jane Jackson, Littleton NH. He died 5 February 1932 in Concord NH. Buried Blossom Hill Cemetery, Concord NH.
Children:
1. Harry Bingham Metcalf, b. Concord NH 25 Jan 1871; Dartmouth 1893.
2. Edmund Burke Metcalf, b. 7 July 1872 Littleton NH.
3. Laura Prucia Metcalf, b. Littleton NH 4 Feb 1874 (m. Harlan C. Pearson) res. Concord NH.

–Biography–
One Thousand New Hampshire Notables, ed by H.H. Metcalf and Frances M. Abbott, 1919: “Metcalf, Henry Harrison. Journalist,  ed. public and private schools, Mt. Caesar Seminary, Swanzey NH, Law Department of the Univ. of Michigan LL.B. 1865; studied law in the office of Hon. Edmund Burke, Newport NH; admitted to the Sullivan County bar, Sept 1866; engaged in journalism as editor of the White Mountain Republic, Littleton NH, 1867-8; editor of The People, Concord NH 1868-72; editor of the White Mountain Republic 1872-4; founded The Democratic Press, Dover NH 1874, and edited and published same until 1879; meanwhile founded The Granite Monthly which he removed to Concord in the spring of 1879; in November of that year sold the magazine to John N. McClintock and engaged in the service of Stilon Hutchins as managing editor and editorial writer for the Manchester Daily Union, then established as a morning paper, continuing until 1882, when he returned to Concord as editor of The People and New Hampshire Patriot, continuing ten years in that position; purchased The Granite Monthly in 1892 and published it for two years, selling it to the Republic Press Association; many years N.H. correspondent of the New York World, Herald and Times, and of the Boston Post; editorial writer for the Portsmouth N.H. Times, twelves years and for the Cheshire Republican, Keene NH five years; regained control of The Granite Monthly again in 1906 and continued its publisher till 1919; received hon. A.M. from Dartmouth College 1913. Member First Universalist Church, Concord NH, moderator for four years, superintendent Sunday school seven years; vice president N.H. Universalist state convention 1906-15; member board of trustees, 1918-; Democrat; secretary N.H. Democratic state committee 1869-70; delegate3 Democratic National Convention 1876; president N.H. Democratic state convention 1900; chairman Democratic city committee, Concord, several years; Democratic candidate for representative in Congress, Second N.H. District 1910; appointed editor of State Papers (state historian) July 1913; member board of education, Littleton Union Dist. 1873-4; auditor Union School District, Concord, since March 1906; member N.H. Constitution Convention 1918; Concord Board of Trade (secretary, 1893-8, 1900-13); secretary N.H. State Board of Trade 1907-16; member N.H. Soc. S.A.R., serving as necrologist; member board of managers and vice-president at different times (president 1981-19); member executive committee N.H. Old Home Week Ass’n 1899-1914, president since 1914; member N.H. Historical Soc., Patrons of Husbandry (first lecturer and past master Capital Grange; lecturer Merrimack County Pomona Grange eleven years; N.H. State Grange 1897-1903. Residence Concord NH.

—–Suffrage Work—–
H.H. Metcalf, Concord NH – ; the World Suffrage Association held its 17th annual meeting in 1914, he was among elected vice president(s) from New Hampshire

=====Gov. Henry B. Quinby=====

Photograph of former Gov. Henry Brewer Quinby, from 1000 New Hampshire Notables.

Henry Brewer Quinby was born 10 June 1846 in Biddeford, Maine, son of Thomas and Jane E. (Brewer) Quinby, grandson of Moses Quinby a member of the first graduting class of Bowdoin College. He m. 22 June 1870 Octavia M. Cole of Lake Village (now Lakeport) NH, daughter of Hon. Benjamin J. Cole. Children: Henry Cole b 9 July 1872 lawyer in NYC; Candace Ellen (Mrs. Hugh N. Cap) New York. Residence Lakeport NH

–Biography–
Biography from One thousand New Hampshire notables by Henry Harrison Metcalf, ed by Frances M. Abbott, 1919, page 301. Quinby, Henry Brewer. Manufacturer, Ex-governor. Educated at New Hampton Library Institution, Nichols Latin School in Lewiston Maine, Bowdoin College in Brunswick Maine, A.B. 1869, A.M. 1872, LL.D., 1909; M.D. National Medical College, Washington, D.C. 1880; A.M., LL.D., Dartmouth 1909-; served for some time as a special agent of the Quartermaster’s department, U.S.A. in Washington; connected with the Cole Manufacturing Co. at Lakeport (NH) of which he has long been president, and treasurer for more than forty years, and engaged in various other industrial enterprises; Unitarian; Republican; member staff of Gov. Ezekial A. Straw, with rank of colonel, 1872-3; member N.H. house of representatives 1887-8, taking an active part in debate and committee work; member N.H. senate 1889-90; executive council 1891-2 (ch. state prison com.); Governor of New Hampshire 1909-10, the important work of the state house enlargement being carried out during his administration, also the trunk line roads located and partly built; active in party affairs, serving many years as a member of the Republican state committee; delegate-at-large in the Republican national convention in 1892; president Republican state convention 1896, delivering a notable address; chairman committee on resolutions, 1902 and 1908. Trustee N.H. State hospital 1897-9; president Laconia National Bank, City Savings Bank, Laconia Hospital; Masonic Temple Ass’n, Laconia; trustee New Hampton Institution, member board of overseers, Bowdoin College, N.H. Historical Soc. (trustee), Pepperell Ass’n, Sons of the American Revolution; Mason of the 33d degree, and past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire; trustee Masonic Home, Manchester (NH). Residence, Lakeport, NH.

—–Suffrage Work—–
Mr. & Mrs. Henry B. Quinby, Lakeport NH ; the World Suffrage Association held its 17th annual meeting in 1914, they were among elected vice president(s) from New Hampshire

=====Arthur Thompson=====

Capt. Arthur Thompson. Photograph from Granite State Monthly magazine, January 1903. Google Books.

Arthur Thompson was born June 1844 in NH, son of Robert & Susan (Bartlett) Thompson.
He died 25 Nov 1928 in Warner NH. In 1900 living in Warner NH Hotel Keeper and merchant. He marred in 1867 to Caroline Beckler.  She was born in 1847 NY and died in 1912. They are buried in Pine Grove Cemetery, Warner NH.
They had 2 children:
1. Caroline E. Thompson b abt 1870 Cedar Rapids, Linn, Iowa
2. Robert Thompson b 21 Aug 1873 NH, d. 29 May 1946 Philadelphia PA.

–Biography–
From: Who’s who in New England: A Biographical Dictionary of Leading Living Men; 1915. “THOMPSON, Arthur, soldier, merchant; b. Warner, N.H. June 24, 1844; s. Robert and Susan (Bartlett) Thompson descendant of James Thompson, the immigrant, Charlestown Mass. 1630; grad. Henniker Acad. 1862; m. Caroline Becklar of Syracuse NY Oct 14, 1867; 2 children, Caroline E. (Mrs. F.N. Shepard, of Boston). Robert (M.D.) Enlisted as pvt in 11th Regt N.H. Inf, 1862 at 18 and served till close of the Civil War; was on detached service over 2 years as chief clk in q-m’s dept at hdqrs of 4 divs of 9th Army Corps; under spl detail by order of General Grant from Oct 1864 till end of war. In mercantile business Warner NH, Sycamore IL, Boonsboro and Cedar Rapids, IA 1865-80; engaged in evaporation of fruit and manufacturer of evaporators 1881-99. Commd. capt. and asst qm U.W.V May 12, 1898 and served throughout Spanish-Am. War, chiefly in handling military stores and in transporting troops; has conducted the Colonial Inn, a summer hotel at Warner since 1900. Member N.H. Constl. Conv. 1902, Mem. Robert Campbell Post G.A.R. Mason. Republican. Congregationalist. Has frequently delivered addresses in behalf of woman suffrage. Address: Warner NH.”

Arthur Thompson ran a summer boarding house in Warner, New Hampshire called “Colonial Inn.”  The Tourists’ Guide book to the State of New Hampshire published in 1902 shows: COLONIAL INN, Arthur Thompson, owner. P.O. address and railroad station, Warner Price, $1.50 per day, $5 to $10 per week; accommodates 75 guests. Open from June 9 to Oct 1.  Colonial Inn which opens for its fourth season June 9, has 50 rooms, sanitary plumbing, porcelain bath tubs, perfect sewerage, electric lights and pure water; gold, tennis, and croquet grounds; 1,500 feet of wide piazzas; free boats on river; a thousand acres of beautiful hills commencing at our door; best of mountain scenery, splendid walks, and charming drives; every room filled for the past three years because we give more for the price than any house in New Hampshire; circulars.”

—–Suffrage Work—–
Arthur Thompson, Warner NH ; the World Suffrage Association held its 17th annual meeting in 1914, he was among elected vice president(s) from New Hampshire.  Felice Belman & Mike Pride in his book The New Hampshire Century states that Delegate Arthur Thompson “a hotel keeper from Warner, however spoke up on behalf of women, even arranging for [Carrie Chapman] Catt, the national suffrage leader, to speak in Concord. Briefly, his efforts paid off.”

=====Rev. Edmund Ring Sanborn=====

Colorized photograph of Rev. Edmund Ring Sanborn. From Find-A-Grave submitter Verano1 (48074553) who gives permission to use their photographs.

Edmund Ring Sanborn was born on 21 Jan 1844 in Orono Maine and d. 21 Oct 1886, aged 42 in Bangor Maine.  He was the son of Isaac & Lucy A. (Mahoney) Sanborn. He married 30 Sep 1869 to Emma Frances Otto. She was b. 1 Oct 1845 in Philadelphia.  They had two children, Otto White Sanborn (b 1870, d. 1872) and Edmund Ring Sanborn b 1872, who resided in Sharon PA.  He is buried in Mount Hope Cemetery, Bangor Maine.  In the 1860 U.S. Census he was living in LaGrange Maine with his father Isaac, and stepmother (then Thankful E. Coombs) and siblings.  His father Isaac was a millwright.

–Biography–
Rev. Edmund R. Sanborn  served in the Union army during the American Civil War. He enlisted in Company B, Maine 20th Infantry Regiment on 29 August 1862. He was promoted to Sgt. Major on 15 July 1864, and First Lieutenant on 6 December 1864. The regiment’s most famous engagement was under the command of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain in defending the Little Round Top during the Battle of Gettysburg. He was mustered out on 4 June 1865.

When the war ended, Edmund R. Sanborn  attended the Theological School of St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York, where he graduated in 1867.   At the time of his marriage, he was “Of the Universalist Society of Concord NH” (1869).  In June of 1870 he preached in Dubuque Iowa. The Mirror and Farmer newspaper of 27 May 1871 (Manchester NH) reported a wedding at North Weare (NH) of J. Will Whittle of Manchester and Amelia H. Sawyer of North Wear. The marriage ceremony was “performed by Rev. Edmund R. Sanborn, pastor of the Universalist Church at Concord…” In April of 1877 he preached at All Souls, Park Chapel, Newark NJ. In October of 1874 (Leavenworth Daily Times, Leavenworth KS, 11 Oct 1874) Rev Edmund R. Sanborn, minister of the Free Congregational Society, lectured at Plummers Hall.”  One source states that later he led the First Unitarian Church at Lawrence MA.

—–Suffrage Work—–
Rev. Edmund Ring Sanborn – secretary of the NH Woman’s Suffrage Association in 1870.

=====Others=====

Walter Smith Baker, Concord — merchant tailor; Member, Concord Equal Suffrage League [see bio and photo]

Levin Joynes Chase, Concord — advocate of equal suffrage, gave his support while serving in NH legislature. [bio and photo]

Sargent Orison Clark, Claremont and Concord, clergyman, member Concord Equal Suffrage League [bio and photo]

Frank Cressy, Bradford and Concord — ardent equal suffragist. [see photo and bio].

Henry Hollis French, Concord — lawyer, U.S. Senator.  Advocate of equal suffrage [see bio]

Joseph Henry Robbins, Concord — clergyman, member Concord Equal Suffrage League [see photo and bio]

Rev. William Thomas Savage, Franklin NH — among the earliest delegates from New Hampshire to help form the American Woman’s Suffrage Association in 1869. [Congregational minister, in Amherst NH 1840-1843; in Franklin NH 1849-1874].

Rev Edward Arthur Tuck, Milford and Concord — clergyman. Member Concord Equal Suffrage League. [see bio and photo]

Fred Tilton Wadleigh, Sanbornton and Milford — clothing merchant. NH House of Representatives. In 1912 member of NH Constitutional convention and member of minority committee on woman’s suffrage and signed the report in favor of the amendment. [see bio and photo]

Nathaniel White [spouse of Armenia S. White] — [probably the most famous of the New Hampshire  male suffragists; works of philanthropy and reform including suffrage. [See story here]

[end]