| Notes |
- Haile (1807 - 1876) was born at Putney (VT). He had little if any schooling. In 1821 his family moved to Chesterfield (NH), and a year later, at fifteen years of age, Haile moved in with the family of Ezekial Pierce, a store owner at Chesterfield. In 1823 Haile began work as a clerk for Mr. Pierce, and he continued there until 1828. Then, aged twenty-one, Haile married (Sabrina Shaw Walker), borrowed some money and started his own store, at Centre Village (NH). Haile continued at Centre Village until 1835, when he heard about abundant waterpower at Hinsdale (NH). Convinced that Hinsdale would be a good place to relocate, Haile relocated. He continued his store until 1846, when he went into the lumber business. The Hinsdale textiles company of Haile & Todd (later Haile, Frost & Co.) specialized in "cashmerette", an inexpensive imitation of the luxury woolen fabric. Haile was elected a State Representative (1846 - 1850, 1853), and a State Senator (1854, 1855; President of the Senate, 1855). He was a State representative again in 1856, then ran (as a Republican) for the governorship and won. He repeated in 1858. Governor Haile opposed extending slavery to new American states and territories, and he opposed the Supreme Court's support for the Fugitive Slave Law (in the 1857 Dred Scott decision). Adopting Know-Nothing positions on immigrants, Haile opposed the public sale of spirits, and continued immigration. He established a state reform school, and wanted a State Normal School as well (the legislature finally created one in 1870). In retirement Haile continued his business at Hinsdale; but he moved to Keene (NH) in 1873. He died in 1876.
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1807 - 1876 (69 years)
