1. John Nesmith was an American politician who served as the 25th lieutenant governor of Massachusetts in 1862.
14 Facts About John Nesmith
1. 2.
John Nesmith was prominent in politics early in life; was town treasurer in 1819 and 1820 and representative to the general court in 1821.
3.
John Nesmith commenced life a comparatively poor boy and had only the education of the common schools of his day.
4.
John Nesmith became interested in the manufacture of blankets, flannels, printing cloths, sheetings and other textile fabrics and that became eventually his principal vocation.
5.
John Nesmith became agent or part owner in mills in Lowell, Dracut, Chelmsford, Hooksct and other places, and managed those enterprises with almost unvarying and uninterrupted success.
6.
John Nesmith was a large stockholder in the Merrimack Woolen Mills Company.
7.
Mr John Nesmith was the first to discern the natural fitness of the site now occupied by the flourishing city of Lawrence on the Merrimac River for a manufacturing point, and made large purchases of land on both sides of the river, securing the necessary charter to control the water power.
8.
John Nesmith laid out several streets, giving his name to one of them.
9.
John Nesmith's purchase being made soon after the formation of the Merrimack Manufacturing Company, he sold the property to good advantage.
10.
John Nesmith contributed freely of his means to assist the anti-slavery movement.
11.
John Nesmith was elected lieutenant-governor of Massachusetts on the ticket with Governor John A Andrew in 1862 and declined a re-election the following year.
12.
John Nesmith was afterward appointed United States collector of internal revenue for his district, an office in which a zealous and active man could give tangible support to the government in its hour of greatest need by discovering the taxable property and preventing adroit evasions.
13.
John Nesmith filled the position ably and creditably until his resignation only twelve days before he died.
14.
John Nesmith made in his will handsome provision for the care, support and education of the indigent blind of New Hampshire, a foundation known as the Nesmith Fund; and provided a public park in the town of Franklin, New Hampshire.