Nathan Appleton (Large portrait outside of Mayor’s Reception Room)

Nathan Appleton was one of the so-called Boston Associates, a group of upper class New England merchants who founded Lowell’s textile industry in the 1820’s.  In addition to Lowell, Appleton was associated with textile mills in Waltham, Lawrence, and Manchester.  He was also an investor in railroads and banks.  He served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1815-1816, 1821, 1823-1824, and 1827.  He also served two terms in Congress as a member of the Whig Party.