# John Butler Smith

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**John Butler Smith** (April 12, 1838 – August 10, 1914) was an American manufacturer and [Republican](/source/Republican_Party_(United_States)) politician from [Hillsborough, New Hampshire](/source/Hillsborough,_New_Hampshire), who served as the 44th [governor of New Hampshire](/source/Governor_of_New_Hampshire) from 1893 to 1895. He owned Contoocook Mills Company.

## Biography

Smith was born in [Saxtons River, Vermont](/source/Saxtons_River,_Vermont), on April 12, 1838. He attended the public schools of [Hillsborough, New Hampshire](/source/Hillsborough,_New_Hampshire), and the Francestown Academy. He worked in stores and shoe making factories before embarking on a successful business career, and eventually became owner of the Contoocook Mills Company and several stores, and his interests grew to include commercial real estate and banking.[1]

A [Republican](/source/Republican_Party_(United_States)), Smith was an Alternate to the [1884 Republican National Convention](/source/1884_Republican_National_Convention) and one of New Hampshire's 1884 [presidential electors](/source/Electoral_College_(United_States)).[2]

From 1887 to 1889 he served as a member of the [Governor's Council](/source/Executive_Council_of_New_Hampshire), and in 1890 he was elected Chairman of the [Republican State Committee](/source/New_Hampshire_Republican_State_Committee).[1]

In 1892 Smith won election as governor, and he served from January 5, 1893, to January 3, 1895. Governor Smith actively proposed programs for preserving state forests and improving roads and highways.[3]

After completing his term, he resumed management of his business interests and served as a member of the Republican State Committee. He died in Hillsborough on August 10, 1914, and was buried at Pine Grove Cemetery in Manchester.[4]

Smith donated liberally to the Congregational Church and several charities, and the Smith Memorial Congregational Church in Hillsborough is named for him. The [Gov. John Butler Smith House](/source/Gov._John_Butler_Smith_House) in Hillsborough was added to the [National Register of Historic Places](/source/National_Register_of_Historic_Places) in 2002.[5]

## References

1. Metcalf, Henry & McClintock, John (eds.) (1892). [*The Granite Monthly: A New Hampshire Magazine Devoted to History, Biography, Literature, and State Progress*](https://books.google.com/books?id=erwVAAAAYAAJ). H.H. Metcalf. pp. 129–132.

1. ["John B. Smith, A Guide to Likenesses of New Hampshire Officials and Governors on Public Display at the Legislative Office Building and the State House Concord, New Hampshire, to 1998, New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources"](https://web.archive.org/web/20121203041639/https://www.nh.gov/nhdhr/publications/glikeness/smitjohn.html). *New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources*. Archived from [the original](https://www.nh.gov/nhdhr/publications/glikeness/smitjohn.html) on December 3, 2012. Retrieved 2021-02-15.

1. Sobel, Robert & Raimo, John (eds.) (1978). [*Biographical directory of the governors of the United States, 1789-1978*](https://archive.org/details/biographicaldire0003sobe/page/988/mode/2up). Vol. 3. Westport, Conn.: Meckler Books. p. 972.

1. ["Was Native of Vermont"](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/67136190/was-native-of-vermont/). *[Barre Daily Times](/source/Barre_Daily_Times)*. 1914-08-11. p. 1. Retrieved 2021-01-07. – via Newspapers.com.

1. "NRHP nomination for Gov. John Butler Smith House". National Park Service. Retrieved 2014-06-03.

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