Compiled by Russell Bastedo
State Curator
1998

Hiram A. Tuttle (1891-1893). Born Barnstead; Pittsfield businessman. In state politics from 1873.

In 1846 Tuttle's (1837-1911) farm family moved to Pittsfield, where Tuttle's father worked in a cotton mill. From the age of nine Tuttle attended Pittsfield public school and then Pittsfield Academy. After completing his studies, Tuttle went to work for Lincoln & Shaw, clothiers, in Concord. Soon he was made manage of a branch store of the firm in Pittsfield, and at age 21 (1858) he became proprietor of the store.

The clothing store remained Tuttle's business for the rest of his life. He had large interests in local and regional banking, timber and lumber, and real estate. Tuttle was president of the Suncook Valley RR, the Pittsfield Savings Bank, and the Manchester Savings Bank. He was one of the organizers of Pittsfield Aqueduct Company and a trustee of Pittsfield Academy.

Tuttle was a Republican. In 1860 he became Town Clerk, although Pittsfield had historically voted Democratic. He represented the town in the legislature (1873/4), served as a colonel on Governor Cheney's staff (1875/7) and as a member of the Governor's Council (1878/81). He was a delegate to the 1888 Republican National Convention and in that year also sought his party's nomination for governor. He lost (to David Goodell), but secured the nomination in 1890. In the popular vote Tuttle became governor by fewer than 100 votes [42,479 votes for Tuttle; 42,386 for Amsden (Democrat); Fletcher (Prohibition Party) 1,316.] the legislature then elected Tuttle.

Governor Tuttle and his staff attended the 1892 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago (summer 1892), and the dedication of the Battle of Bennington (VT) memorial column later that summer. He helped lay the cornerstone for the new building when the state college moved from Hanover to Durham. The New Hampshire State Library was completed during Tuttle's term in office in Concord.

In the legislature the railroads continued their efforts at consolidation. Millionaire Austin Corbin offered the state $1 million for its interest in the Concord Railroad (and a pledge of no state oversight of the railroad); the legislature asked the courts for an opinion on the legality of the deal, and the courts said it was illegal to sell state-owned public property to a private individual.

Tuttle sought his party's nomination for a congressional race in 1894, but did not receive the nomination. He died in 1911 at Pittsfield.

Location: State House, Second Floor
Portrait by U.D. Tenney, 1892; Presented by Gov. Tuttle