Governor David Harvey Goodell

DAVID H. GOODELL, the fifty-first governor of New Hampshire, was born in Hillsborough, New Hampshire on May 6, 1834. His education was attained at academies in New Hampton, Hancock and Francestown. He later attended Brown University, but never graduated. Goodell became a successful inventor and businessman, and eventually established the Goodell Company that manufactured kitchen utensils and the lightning apple parer, which he invented. He first entered politics as a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives, a position he held from 1876 to 1879. From 1876 to 1883 he served as a member of the State Board of Agriculture; and from 1883 to 1885 he was a member of the Governor’s Council. Goodell next secured the 1888 Republican gubernatorial nomination. After a close election, the legislature named Goodell the official governor. During his tenure, state statutes were revised; the board of bank commissioners became a permanent organization; and liquor prohibition laws were lobbied for. After completing his term, Goodell retired from political life. He returned to his various business interests, as well as continuing in his efforts to secure passage of a temperance act. Governor David H. Goodell passed away on January 22, 1915 in Antrim, New Hampshire.