John Nesmith - born 1793, died 1869

Source: L. A. Morrison's History of Windham, N.H., pages 699, 700:
Lieutenant-Governor John Nesmith was born in Windham, New Hampshire August 3, 1793. Till his twenty-ninth year, his life was intimately connected with the history of Windham, and he actively mingled in its affairs. He was prominent in its politics, and acted as treasurer in 1819-20, and represented the town in the General Court in 1821. In 1822, he removed to Derry. The story of his life will be found the following article, which I take from the Annual Cyclopedia (1869), written by John-Bell Bouton:
"John Nesmith, one of the most enterprising and successful of New England manufacturers, was b. in Windham, New Hampshire, August 3, 1793; died October 15, 1869. Mr. Nesmith commenced life a poor boy, and had only the common advantages of education at that time. At fourteen years of age, he was placed in a country store, and served an apprenticeship of five years, after which, in connection with his brother Thomas, he went into business for himself. As soon as their cash capital and enlarged credit would warrant the adventure, the brothers removed to New York, and built up an extensive and highly remunerative trade. In 1831, foreseeing the future importance of Lowell, Mass, as a manufacturing center, they settled in that place, invested largely in real estate, and identified themselves with every measure calculated to advance the growth and prosperity of the home of their adoption. Mr. Nesmith's peculiar tastes and talents soon enlisted him in the manufacture of blankets, flannels, printing-cloths, sheetings, and other textile fabrics, and from thenceforth that was his principal pursuit. He became agent for, or as owner was interested in, mills in Lowell, Dracut, Chelmsford, Hooksett, and other places, and managed those enterprises with almost unvarying success. He was a large stockholder in the Merrimack Woolen Mills Company."

"Appreciating more than any other man the natural advantages of the water-powers which have made Lowell what she is, he bethought himself of securing the supply of water in Winnisiseogee and Squam Lakes in New Hampshire as reservoirs for the Lowell mills in dry seasons, and letting it into the Merrimack by artificial channels. This brilliant conception was at first scouted as impracticable by manufacturers along the river, but Mr. Nesmith, satisfied that they would at last require the additional water, bought the right to use both those lakes for the purpose named, and the manufacturers were before long obliged to purchase it from him. Mr. Nesmith was the first to discern the natural fitness of the site now occupied by the flourishing city of Lawrence, on the Merrimack, for a manufacturing point, and made heavy purchases of lands on both sides of the river, securing also the necessary charter to control the water-power. About 1844, his bold scheme attracted the attention that it deserved from Boston capitalists, and factories began to rise at Lawrence as if by magic, and that city has since most amply vindicated the wisdom of its real founder."

"While Mr. Nesmith was carrying on these multifarious and arduous undertakings, he devoted his odd hours to philosophical and mechanical studies, in which he became much more than an amateur. Several of his discoveries and inventions were of great importance and value, - among others, the well-known machinery for making wire-fence and shawl fringe. Though naturally averse to mingling in politics, and never stooping to the acts by which popularity is often won, he was elected to various offices in the city government of Lowell, where his sound practical sense and extraordinary business capacity were acknowledged and prized by his fellow citizens with distinction of party. He was presidential elector from Massachusetts in the college which chose Mr. Lincoln for both terms; was lieutenant-governor of Massachusetts in 1862; declined a re-election in 1863, and was afterwards appointed United States collector of internal revenue for his district, which office he filled ably and acceptably until his resignation, twelve days before his death. Mr. Nesmith's attachment to the principles of his party was that of the moralist rather than the partisan, and he never ceased to command the respect of his political opponents. The temperance cause in Massachusetts early engaged his hearty support and liberal contributions, and he was for some time a vice-president of the State Alliance. From the large fortune acquired by his tact and industry, he made generous donations to many objects of charity and benevolence which won upon his sympathy, and was invariably hospitable and kind to his friends and neighbors. In his domestic relations, he was especially tender and affectionate. His will made handsome provision for the foundation of a 'Nesmith Fund' for the care, support, education, and maintenance of the indigent blind of New Hampshire, and also a public park in the town of Franklin, in the State."

"The secrets of Mr. Nesmith's career may easily be found, not more in his high mental endowments, than in his unflagging industry, his indomitable perseverance, his strict integrity, and the concentration of all his faculties and energies on the successive objects in hand, and those temperate and well-ordered habits of life which down to it's close preserved his mind in all its youth and buoyancy. He offered a rare illustration of what an active intellect may accomplish, aided by courage and fixity of purpose, and animated by principles of truth, justice, and honor."

[Go to the Nesmith House]

From: History of Windham New Hampshire by L.A. Morrison, page 190:
Store at Windham Center, commenced 1815: Trade was commenced at the center of the town by Thomas and John Nesmith in 1815. A room was hired of Robert Clark, when trade was commenced. They carried on business till 1822, when James Nesmith, their brother, took the store and soon after went to Hudson. Between this date and 1832, the trade was carried on by George R. Nesmith and Samuel Wilson.

Index of Marriages in Massachusetts Centinel and Columbian Centinel 1784 to 1840: Bell, Eliza T.,daughter of Honorable John Bell, married John Nesmith of Lowell, in Chester, New Hampshire (CC. August 4,1832)

Vital Records of Lowell, Massachusetts to the end of year 1849, Volume III - Marriages; Published by Essex Institute, Salem, Massachusetts 1930, age 109: John Nesmith and Harriet R. Mansur, both of Lowell, October 19, 1840.

Biography in "Dictionary of American Biography"

Biography in "The National Cyclopedia of American Biography", Volume IX, pages 194-195.

Herringshaw's Encyclopedia of American Biography of the Nineteenth Century.

Herringshaw's Encyclopedia of American Biography, page 688
NESMITH, JOHN, manufacturer, inventor, was born Aug. 3, 1793, in Londonderry, N.H. He secured the water supply of Winnipiseogee and Squam lakes for Lowell mills; secured site for city of Lawrence, Mass., and control of waterpower; and invented machines for making wire fences and shawl fringe. He was lieutenant-governor of Massachusetts in 1862. He died Oct. 15, 1869, in Lowell, Mass

From: Biographical Review: Leading Citizens of Rockingham County, New Hampshire, c1896, page 413:
John was elected Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts on the ticket with the Hon. John A. Andrew, the noted War Governor of that Commonwealth.

[Find John Nesmith in the Naesmyth Family Tree]