Aaron Fletcher STEVENS, Congress, NH (1819-1887)

STEVENS, Aaron Fletcher, a Representative from New Hampshire; born in Londonderry, Rockingham County, N.H., August 9, 1819; attended Pinkerton Academy, Derry, N.H., and Crosby’s Nashua Literary Institute, Nashua, N.H.; at the age of sixteen was apprenticed to the trade of machinist and worked as a journeyman for several years; studied law; was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Nashua, Hillsborough County, N.H.; member of the State house of representatives in 1845; held several local offices; during the Civil War served in the Union Army as major of the First Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry, as colonel of the Thirteenth New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry, and was brevetted brigadier general; delegate to the Whig National Convention in 1852; president of the common council of Nashua in 1853 and 1854; solicitor of Hillsborough County 1856-1861; city solicitor of Nashua in 1859, 1860, 1865, 1872, and 1875-1877; elected as a Republican to the Fortieth and Forty-first Congresses (March 4, 1867-March 3, 1871); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1870 to the Forty-second Congress; again a member of the State house of representatives 1876-1884; resumed the practice of law; died in Nashua, N.H., May 10, 1887; interment in Nashua Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present