Henry Willard Denison was born in Guildhall on May 11, 1846, and grew up in Lancaster, New Hampshire.

Nearly 60 years later, in 1905,when Japan and Russia met in Portsmouth, New Hampshire to work out a peace treaty, Henry Willard Denison was a crucial member of the Japanese delegation. This small town, New England lawyer became an important legal advisor to the Emperors of Japan.

He dedicated much of his life to the improvement of Japan and helping the Japanese establish good relations with the rest of the world. Denison spent over 30 years assisting and building the Japanese delegation.

Photo above courtesy the New Hampshire statehouse. Photo at right is The Vermont Book Of Days' image.