Natt Head

When he came of age, he went into business with his father and later his younger brother William. Their businesses included farming, lumbering, brick making, and construction; they employed about 200 men. The Head farm was about 1500 acres. Annually it yielded an average of 225 tons of hay and 750,000 feet of lumber. They had the largest brick company in the state, producing 7-8 million bricks every year. Their bricks were known for their high quality and were used to build the Manchester mills, Head school, Head mansion, and many other buildings in the area. The brothers helped construct many buildings and railroads, including the Suncook Valley Railroad.

Natt was a representative in the Legislature from 1861 to 1862. In 1864, he was appointed adjutant general of the state by Governor Gilmore. Before he received that position, the records of New Hampshire troops were unorganized and practically nonexistent. Natt not only brought order to the records but also completed voluminous reports of all the officers and soldiers who entered service of the state during the war. It is said he won his greatest reputation during his time in this position, serving until 1870. Natt was elected into the Senate in 1874. The election was nullified because his name was listed as Natt, not Nathaniel. He officially changed it to Natt in 1876. He was re-elected in 1877 and chosen as the Senate president.

Natt was nominated for governor at the convention in January in 1877. He won the majority vote to be on the ballot, won the popular vote, and served as New Hampshire's 37th governor from 1879 to 1881. As governor, he passed a bill making it illegal for children under the age of 10 to work in the mills. He completed the construction of the state prison and established the Suncook to Hooksett and Suncook to Pittsfield railroads. He also required all railroad stations to have a telegraph as an emergency safety measure.