Page:Men of Mark in America vol 1.djvu/466

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JACOB H. GALLINGER

GALLINGER, JACOB H., M.D., senior United States senator from New Hampshire, was born on a farm in Cornwall in the province of Ontario, Canada. He is one of twelve children of Jacob and Catharine (Cook) Galhnger. His ancestors were Dutch, and emigrated from Holland before .he Revolutionary war, settling first in New York and later in Canada. His mother was an American.

After receiving a common school and academic education, he learned the printer's trade, at which he worked for several years. Subsequently he studied medicine at the Medical Institute at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was graduated at the head of his class in 1858, receiving the degree of M.D. After two years spent in travel and study, he moved to Concord, New Hampshire (his present residence), to follow the profession of medicine and surgery. He gradually established a large and lucrative practice which extended beyond the limits of his own state. He has been an active member of numerous prominent medical societies, and has made some contributions to medical literature. In 1879 he was appointed surgeon-general of New Hampshire with the rank of brigadier-general. In 1885 Dartmouth college conferred upon him the honorary degree of A.M.

While giving close attention to his profession, Doctor Gallinger found ample time to take an active part in local, state and national politics. He has always been a member of the Republican party. In 1872 he was elected to the state legislature of New Hampshire, and after serving one term he was reelected. In 1876 he was a member of the state constitutional convention, where he distinguished himself by advocating several important amendments to the state constitution, which were submitted to and ratified by the people. Two years later he was elected to the state senate, where he served in 1878, 1879 and 1880; during the last two terms as presiding officer. He was chairman of the Republican state committee from 1882 to 1890,