Representative Alonzo Nute

Alonzo Nute (February 12, 1826 – December 24, 1892) was a United States Representative from New Hampshire and a Republican politician active in state and national affairs in the latter half of the nineteenth century. He was born in Milton, Strafford County, New Hampshire, where he attended the local common schools. His early years were shaped by the rural economy of New Hampshire, and his basic education in these public schools provided the foundation for his later pursuits in business and public service.

In 1842, Nute moved from New Hampshire to Natick, Massachusetts, a growing center of the New England shoe and leather industry. His relocation as a young man placed him in an important manufacturing community at a time when industrialization was transforming the regional economy. In 1848, he returned to New Hampshire and settled in Farmington, where he engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes. This work in Farmington’s developing industrial sector established him as a local businessman and contributed to his standing in the community, from which he would later launch his political career.

With the outbreak of the Civil War, Nute entered military service in the spring of 1861. He joined the Union Army as a member of the 6th New Hampshire Infantry Regiment, one of the state’s principal volunteer units. The 6th New Hampshire saw extensive service in the conflict, and Nute’s participation reflected the strong support for the Union cause in his home state. His wartime service helped solidify his reputation and connections in New Hampshire, which would prove important in his subsequent public life.

Following the conclusion of the Civil War, Nute turned to elective office. In 1866, he served as a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives, participating in state governance during the early Reconstruction era. He advanced quickly in state politics, serving in the New Hampshire Senate in 1867 and 1868. Through these legislative roles he took part in shaping postwar policy in New Hampshire, representing the interests of his constituents during a period of political and economic adjustment.

Nute’s involvement in Republican Party affairs extended beyond the state legislature. In 1876, he served as a delegate to the Republican National Convention, reflecting his prominence within the party organization in New Hampshire. His selection as a delegate placed him among those participating in the nomination process during a closely contested presidential election year, further enhancing his profile as a committed Republican leader.

Alonzo Nute was elected as a Republican to the Fifty-first Congress and served as a United States Representative from New Hampshire from March 4, 1889, to March 3, 1891. His single term in the House of Representatives occurred during a significant period in American history, marked by debates over tariffs, veterans’ benefits, and economic policy under the administration of President Benjamin Harrison. As a member of the House of Representatives, Nute contributed to the legislative process, participated in the democratic governance of the nation, and represented the interests of his New Hampshire constituents. A member of the Republican Party throughout his public career, he was not a candidate for renomination in 1890, thereby concluding his federal service after one term in office.

After leaving Congress, Nute returned to private life in Farmington, New Hampshire, where he had long been established as a manufacturer and community figure. He remained in Farmington until his death on December 24, 1892. Alonzo Nute died in the town where he had built his business and political career and was buried in Pine Grove Cemetery in Farmington, New Hampshire.