Compiled by Russell Bastedo
State Curator
1998

Charles A. Busiel (1895-1897) . Born Meredith Vilage; Laconia businessman. In state politics from 1878.

Born in Meredith Village, the Busiel family moved to Meredith Bridge (later renamed Laconia) in 1846 when Charles Busiel was aged four. Busiel (1842-1901) went to local schools and then Gilford Academy, then began work at his father's hosiery mill. Later, with his two brothers, Busiel established J.W. Busiel & Co. [named for their father], hosiery manufacturers. He also published the Laconia Independent Democrat, a local newspaper, and was a prominent Mason and member of the Congregational Church.

Busiel was elected to the state legislature by the town's Democratic voters (1878/9), and he was a delegate to the 1880 Democratic National Convention. He switched political parties over the issue of a strong protective tariff, supporting Harrison and the Republicans' pro-tariff position. [The issue was found insoluble by three consecutive presidents-Cleveland, Harrison, then Cleveland again-and it continued to be a major political issue into the 1920s.] Busiel became the Republican mayor of the new city of Laconia (1892, 1893), then won the state Republican nomination for the governorship (over George A. Ramsdell). Busiel won the popular election handily against Democrat and Prohibitionist opponents.

The country was in the midst of a serious business depression (hence the strong tariff issue). Busiel as governor vetoed more than twenty legislative bills, saving the state slightly less than $1 million. He also believed in interurban electric trolley service and in more railroad service (not less). He opposed the Boston & Maine RR lease of Concord & Montreal RR liens and equipment in 1895.

Busiel, in retirement, hoped to be the Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate; incumbent Jacob H. Gallinger was renominated. New Hampshire then pushed for his appointment as a secretary to the cabinet of President McKinley, but he was not given the position. Busiel died suddenly in 1901.

Location: State House, Second Floor
Portrait by Edward Wyatt Kimball