Rufus Blodgett

Rufus Blodgett (October 9, 1834 – October 3, 1910) was a United States Senator from New Jersey and Superintendent of the New York & Long Branch Railroad for 25 years.

Born in Dorchester, New Hampshire; attended the common schools and Wentworth Academy; learned the machinist's trade; moved to New Jersey in 1866 and settled in Long Branch, New Jersey; builder of railroad equipment; president of the Long Branch City Bank. He was a member of the New Jersey State Assembly from 1878 to 1879. He was superintendent of the New York & Long Branch Railroad 1884–1910; elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate and served from March 4, 1887, to March 4, 1893; was not a candidate for reelection; Mayor of Long Branch, New Jersey 1893–1898; engaged in the railroad business and in banking. He died in Long Branch, New Jersey on October 3, 1910 from hardening of the arteries. He was buried in Village Cemetery, Wentworth, Grafton County, New Hampshire.