Nahum J. Bachelder

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Nahum Josiah Bachelder (September 3, 1854–April 22, 1934) was an American farmer and Republican politician from Andover, New Hampshire. Bachelder lived at and operated his family farm throughout his life, was a leader in the Grange, and served a single term as Governor of New Hampshire.

He became politically active when he joined the Grange, a farmers' advocacy group, in 1877. Bachelder became Master of the local Grange for Merrimack County. He was appointed to New Hampshire's State Board of Agriculture, and served from 1887 until 1913, remaining in this post even through his two years as governor.

Bachelder was elected as the Master of the State Grange in 1891 and held the post until he resigned to become Governor in 1903. After his term as Governor of New Hampshire, he served as the Master of the National Grange. He died on his farm in Andover in 1934 and is buried in the Proctor Cemetery there.

Nahum J. Bachelder, governor of New Hampshire, is a descendant in the eighth generation of the Rev. Stephen Bachiler, who settled at Hampton in 1632. He was born in Andover, September 3, 1854, upon the farm where he lives and which was cleared by his great-grandfather in 1782. He is the oldest child of William A. and Adeline (Shaw) Bachelder. His boyhood was passed upon the farm and his early education was gained in the district schools with a few terms at Franklin Academy and the New Hampton Institute.^[1]

After a brief experience in teaching Mr. Bachelder devoted himself to practical agriculture, gaining much success as a market gardener and dairyman. In 1877 he joined Highland Grange at East Andover and later became its Master. In 1883 he was chosen secretary of the state Grange and filled that position with great credit for eight years, being then promoted to the office, which he has since held, of Master. Under his administration the Order of Patrons of Husbandry has made wonderful progress in New Hampshire and has greatly benefited the Granite state in general and its agricultural interests in particular.^[1]

In the councils of the National Grange, also, Governor Bachelder has wisely exercised a great influence. He served for two terms as a member of the executive committee and is now upon his second term as national lecturer. He has also been of eminent service to his order and to the people through his membership on the legislative committee.^[1]

In 1887 Mr. Bachelder was elected as successor to the late James O. Adams as Secretary of the State Board of Agriculture and for fifteen years has so conducted the affairs of that office as to win the admiration of all who have become acquainted with its work. Since the establishment of the office of Commissioner of Immigration in 1889, now merged in the office of Secretary of the State Board of Agriculture, Mr. Bachelder has discharged its duties, with a broad grasp of present conditions and future possibilities which has attracted the attention of the entire country. He has been, too, an active, vigilant and efficient official of the state Cattle Commission since its organization and has done great work in keeping the livestock of the state free from contagious diseases. Another position which he has held to the great advantage of the agriculture of the state has been that of secretary of the Grange State Fair at Tilton and, more recently, of the state fair at Concord.^[1]

In the establishment of Old Home Week Governor Rollins found in Mr. Bachelder an invaluable assistant, and it is to the hearty co-operation of these gentlemen that the movement owes its unqualified and far-reaching success.^[1]

Mr. Bachelder received the honorary degree of Master of Arts from Dartmouth College in 1891. He is a member of the University and Wonolancet clubs of Concord, Derryfield Club of Manchester and of Kearsarge lodge, A. F. and A. M. He attends the Congregational church.^[1]

June 30, 1887, he was united in marriage with Mary A. Putney of Dunbarton, and they have two children, Ruth, born May 22, 1891, and Henry, born March 17, 1895. In addition to their splendid farm estate at Andover they have a winter home in the city of Concord. ^[1]

This article incorporates text from the 1903 State Builders; An Illustrated Historical and Biographical Record of the State of New Hampshire at the Beginning of the Twentieth Century by George Franklyn Willey, a book now in the public domain. Please feel free to update the text but please maintain the proper citations on the information from that source.