Frederick Smyth (New Hampshire)
| Frederick Smyth | |
|---|---|
 |
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| 30th Governor of New Hampshire | |
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In office June 8, 1865 – June 6, 1867 |
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| Preceded by | Joseph A. Gilmore |
| Succeeded by | Walter Harriman |
| 6th Mayor of Manchester, New Hampshire | |
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In office 1852–1855 |
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| Preceded by | Moses Fellows |
| Succeeded by | Theodore T. Abbott |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 9, 1819 Candia, New Hampshire, United States |
| Died | April 22, 1899 (aged 80) Manchester, New Hampshire, United States |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Emily Lane Smith (1844–1885) Marion Hamilton (1886–death) |
Frederick Smyth (March 9, 1819 – April 22, 1899) was an American banker, railroad executive, and politician from Manchester, New Hampshire. Born in 1819 in Candia, New Hampshire, he became City Clerk of Manchester at the age of 30. A Republican, he served four terms as mayor of Manchester from 1852 to 1854 and again in 1864, and was twice elected Governor of New Hampshire.
Smyth was the third of five children born to Stephen and Dolly Rowe Smyth of Candia.
Around 1838, he and Thomas Wheat began running a country store in Candia under the name of Wheat and Smyth. The store was owned by Wheat's father. They soon left to attend Phillips Andover Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. Financial difficulties forced them to leave Phillips Academy after one term.
Smyth moved to Manchester, New Hampshire, where he found a job working for George Porter in Porter's general store and mercantile business. After three years, Smyth was made a partner in the business.
On December 11, 1844, Smyth married Emily Lane of Candia, daughter of John Lane and Nabby Emerson. Emily Lane Smyth died on January 14, 1885. Smyth's second wife was Marion Hamilton Cossar of Manchester, daughter of James Cossar and Jessie Finlay. They were married on February 22, 1886 at Carmichael, Lanarkshire, Scotland.
He continued to be a merchant until 1849, when he sold his share of the business following his election to the post of Manchester city clerk, at the age of 30.
He was reelected to that post in 1850 and 1851. In 1852, he was elected to his first term as mayor of Manchester. He was reelected in 1853 and 1854.
Many of the decisions he made as mayor remain today, including many "firsts", such as overseeing the construction of the city's first highways, the first water and sewer systems, the first sidewalks, and streetlights. He is credited with the idea to plant trees along city streets to provide shade and maintain the natural beauty of the city.
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