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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
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of Jannecticut as inoy look in life.
N OTED MEN OF CONNECTICUT
AS THEY LOOK IN LIFE
As published in the columns of The Evening Leader of New Haven
Being a Collection of Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Representative Men of. Connecticut Who Have Made and are Making the History of the State
Compiled, Edited, and Arranged under the direction of The Evening Leader Assisted by Edward James Hall
TRANSTULIT
New Haven The Evening Leader Co. Publishers 1906-1908
PREFACE
Men of a commonwealth are the commonwealth. A state is only the achievement of its men. Hills, rocks and trees, the restless sea, the gleaming sands, in all does Connecticut rejoice, for they are hers and have been her choice possessions in enduring beauty since time began.
But wonderfully as nature has endowed her, she is far better known as the land of invention, the home of shrewdness, sagacity and cleverness than through her charms of sea and land. To the people far away, the word Connecticut suggests the quality and calibre of her men, the length and breadth of their achievements.
Therefore in offering to the public this volume, the publishers feel they are giving a work which will command the thoughtful respect and attention of men throughout the country.
In presenting the sketches of some of the most notable men in the state, various lines of endeavor crowned with success are noted and the day-by-day history of Connecticut flashes in fragments before the eyes of the reader.
Men who have tamed iron and steel, men who have learned how to govern their fellow men, men of destiny, men who have battled against myriad difficulties, all are noted here.
The forces of heredity and environment, the natural and cultivated attributes, the slow climbing of the ladder of fame, these may be read in the story of the lives of Connecti- cut's most representative citizens, the men to whom honor and success have come.
The poets sing of "man, the divine," "the noblest work of God," and in the abstract, we are wont to think of man in this vein. But seeing human frailties, we lose sight of the wonders of his being, the divinity of his soul, when the man is in our immediate environ- ment and stop not to consider the forces and power which raised him above the common herd.
Studied with searching gaze, the records of these men here disclosed contain not only the mere achievements, great as they may be, but the forces which led to them, the strength of character which endured through adversity, and the qualities which made success and honor the natural outcome.
The author and publishers take pleasure in presenting this comprehensive volume to the public of Connecticut and the United States, trusting that it may meet a reception commen- surate with the purpose of the book and the men whose lives it sketches, whose deeds it enu- merates.
Qui Transtulit Sustinet- "He who planteth still sustains"
Governor ROLLIN S. WOODRUFF
GOVERNOR ROLLIN S. WOODRUFF, NEW HAVEN
And also Commander-in-Chief of the National Guard of the State of Connecticut
Often when a great political event electrifies the world, such as the sudden overturning of an empire, like the French revolution, or such as the recent war between Russia and Japan, people at a distance from the arena of action are inclined to look upon it as a bolt from the blue, due to the vagaries of capricious rulers, in the latter instance, or to a whole nation hav- ing gone mad, as in the former. A more careful observer, however, would recognize that no great movement affecting the welfare of millions of human beings could spring into existence spontaneously. The final "detente" may come with the suddenness and force of a volcanic eruption, but its coming has surely been preparing in the still workings of thinking minds, in the black depths where lurk political ambition, plans for personal aggrandizement, or the gropings after freedom, which, gathering force under repression, rise in the fullness of time, to sweep all before them.
And so, on a smaller scale, we are often surprised to find in a prominent position, a man of whom no large part of our population had ever heard until by the result of some election, the limelight of publicity has been turned upon him over night, and while he, him- self, is blinking just a wee bit at the unaccustomed glare, we ask ourselves, "Who is he, what of this man? On what meat hath this our Cæsar fed, that he hath grown so great?" And we say, "Oh, that is another example of the caprices of Fortune,"-just as was said by so many, of William Jennings Bryan's meteoric appearance before the nation ;- and when some great good has been accomplished in a tempestuous way, we say, "What the reason of the ant laboriously drags into a heap, the wind of accident will collect in one breath." Yet these are not exceptions to the general rule, for, as Voltaire has put it: "Chance is a word devoid of sense, nothing can exist without a cause." The course of the rivulet from the cloud-capped mountain to the sea is none the less continuous for being obscure or under- ground, a part of the way.
The writer was led into the above train of thought after a vain search in the "Who's Who in America" for 1906, for the name of Rollin S. Woodruff. His rise to a position of extra-state fame has been as rapid as Jonah's gourd of old. Still, to those who have known him these many years, there has been nothing surprising in his advancement, nor mysterious in the ways he took. Merely, he wrought out the problem of the moment, quietly, unostentatiously ; each task well done, left him with muscles the better fitted to grapple with the next. It is in this sense that the saying is true, I think, that "the mould of a man's fortune is in his own hands."
Thus it is not in the least likely that Mr. Woodruff definitely determined that he would win the governorship of Connecticut one day, and by such and such a route; at least not until he had climbed high enough to nearly clutch the coveted prize on its branch. True, our mothers, God bless them, fore- ordained us all to the Presidency, but few of us attain unto the goal, perhaps through lack of faith. "Many are called, but few are chosen." But there is no doubt that Mr. Woodruff early made up his mind to do with
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his might whatsoever his hands might find to do and at the same time to keep his brains and eyes on the lookout for new things to do.
In that sense, is it true that the heart is its own fate?
It is interesting to consider some of the stepping stones by which Mr. Woodruff has climbed to the eminence on which he now stands.
The early days of the governor were spent in Rochester, Monroe County, New York, where he was born on the fourteenth day of July, 1854. He traces his ancestry back to Matthew Woodruff, who came from England to America in 1636, and can count among his ancestors many representatives of the sturdy stock that made possible the beginnings of American history. His parents were the Rev. Jeremiah and Clarisse Thompson Woodruff. .
His father was a Presbyterian minister, and thus he began life well, in a home where the severe, uncompromising morality of a minister of a very strait faith guided his feet in vir- tue's ways, in a village where wholesome democratic standards prevailed, with little, if any, temptation to extravagance or false notions of life. The first fifteen years of his life were passed in this village, and its impress was burned deep upon his young heart. By whatever circumstances he has since been surrounded, though his lot has been cast with the rich and the powerful of the land, he has always remained at heart a man of the people; simple in his tastes, unostentatious in manner, a friend to all who are worthy of his regard and kindly to many who were not. When he was fifteen years old, his parents removed to New Haven, where he obtained his first position in life. That position was not an exalted one by any means. There was once an archbishop of- who entered upon his duties at the tender age of nine years, but those brilliant little boys aren't born any more, or else a titled name does not carry the same pull as of yore.
Mr. Woodruff, like Mr. N. D. Sperry, began at the bottom round of the ladder, as errand boy for a New Haven hardware store. It will be seen that this did not give the future statesman any considerable opportunity for a formal education. He did get a few frills put on his country school education by means of a brief course in a school in Lansing, Iowa. His success in all he undertook was as complete and rapid, however, as that of any college man. This is not intended to be in any degree derogatory of the accomplishments of the average college-bred man, nor to insinuate that a college education is not an extra- ordinary blessing to the man who gets it and to the community in which he lives, but there are men who have in them the faculty to obtain culture, breadth of view, and general knowl- edge without going to the generally recognized sources of them. Governor Woodruff had in himself all the material that enables a man to make himself, and without them, neither riches, nor influence, nor costly tutors can avail aught to make a man out of straw. What he has learned, he has learned from contact with men, in the school of life. It was not long, before the young Woodruff's remarkable capacity for business made itself felt, and as such young men are always in demand, he never lacked for work, and enjoyed the inevitable advancement that rewards exceptional service. He early discovered that this world divides itself into two distinct classes, usually with the consent of the classified; those who lead and those who are led; not to adopt the cynical spirit of Talleyrand, of course, when he opines
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that society is divided into two classes ; the shearers and the shorn, and that we should always be with the former against the latter.
Still it is true that our civilization is in the making, and its molecules are human souls, at a white heat with the fires of passion, of love, ambition and pride. In welding them into social unity, some are content to be the anvil, others must be the hammer. Governor Woodruff is of these. He engaged in various financial and mercantile enterprises in New Haven, and after a number of years became interested in the firm of C. S. Mersick & Co., one of the most extensive iron and steel wholesale houses in all New England. He has been for many years the leading member of the firm and a controlling power of its large plant in- New Haven. The great assistance he has rendered in promoting the commercial import- ance of New Haven is well known, and he may be expected to do much more to broaden its sphere of influence as a Twentieth Century municipality.
Few clubs claim Governor Woodruff as a member, but he occasionally strolls into the Union League or the Young Men's Republican Club of New Haven, and when among his friends in a distinctly social way, proves himself a most agreeable and entertaining compan- ion. Governor Woodruff has been reared in the atmosphere of business. Yet in his heart has always lurked a yearning for the green fields, the unlimited space, and the cultivation of the soil afforded in the country.
Five years ago, visiting his brother-in-law, William H. Losaw, at the home in Guilford to which he had just moved, Governor Woodruff noticed the ashes of a burned house on a beautiful tract of land adjoining and was so delighted with the site, that he purchased the land from Judge Lynde Harrison and erected a beautiful house.
From time to time, he has added to his property until to-day he owns a farm of 48 acres in Guilford Centre, and 30 acres at Long Hill. The farm is under the management of Mr. Losaw and of Governor Woodruff's nephew.
"ROLLWOOD"
The house which is called "Rollwood" is handsome, and is beautifully situated on the crest of a lawn of velvety grass. It is in these surroundings that Governor Woodruff makes his home from May day to Halloween, and it is Guilford which is to him his best resting place. True, he comes to the city for the winter, but he is a country lover. With supreme satisfaction, he throws off the wear of city life and picks up the milking stool. He took to farm life as a duck to water and experience has rounded his art as a farmer.
The simple life is the sort which charms the Governor and for which he has natural aptitude.
"Rollwood" is a center of hospitality and many pleasant outings have been enjoyed there.
In nominating Colonel Woodruff for the governorship of the state, attention was called to him as the typical successful business man, whose common sense and integrity could not be too highly rated. It is pleasant to find this other side of his character, the Guilford farmer, whose love of nature and pleasure in the simple country life has so tempered his
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nature, that business acumen has never hardened into ruthlessness, that in the struggle for success he has found time to consider others and practice that special courtesy which makes of every man a friend.
Always intensely interested in public affairs and an ardent supporter of the Republican platform, Rollin S. Woodruff has held many public offices. He was at one time president of the chamber of commerce; in 1903, he went to the state senate and was elected president pro tem. of that body. In 1904, he became lieutenant governor and reached the highest posi- tion within the power of the state to grant, by an overwhelming majority in the fall of 1906.
As Governor, he is again demonstrating the ability of the bourgeoisie to draw from its midst competent rulers whom it will respect and obey, this bourgeoisie which some one in speaking of England, has likened to the clear golden liquid in the middle of a cask of Eng- land's ale; the froth is above, the dregs below.
What after the governorship? Will he, perhaps, go to the national congress? Will Clarisse T. Woodruff prove to be the one mother of 1854 whose fond dream came true? Who can say, mayhap his ambition does not point as high as that, but if the call comes, there will be no cotton in the Governor's ears, Meanwhile, he is doing his duty as he sees it, fear- lessly, thoroughly. He is winning the approbation of all right-minded men. "He bears his blushing honors thick upon him," but remains the same at heart. Some one has character- ized him as "popular, honest, honorable, spotless in character, a plain man of the people, a devoted citizen of the state, unostentatious, but true blue, always."
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Lieutenant - Governor EVERETT J. LAKE
LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR EVERETT J. LAKE, HARTFORD
Among the strong young men who are putting lots of voltage into the old government- tal machine over at Hartford, and making its wheels and pulleys revolve at an unaccus- tomed speed, is one Everett J. Lake. This magnetic young man, for now he numbers only 36 years, was born in Woodstock, Windham County, Connecticut. His ancestors on his mother's side were among the first settlers of that picturesque town of Northern Connecti- cut. They were of that grand contribution of intelligent and hardworking men, which Scotland has made at various times to our citizenship. By their diligent toil, they did yeo- men's service in opening up the wilderness and in developing the manufacturing interests, which have such direct influence upon the civilization of a new country. By their firm faith in God, and their lives of self-sacrifice and devotion to duty, they wielded an enormous influ- ence in making Connecticut, in its laws, as in the lives of its people, one of the strictest, perhaps the strictest of all the Puritan colonies.
Of such stock comes Mr. Everett J. Lake, and their straightforwardness and inde- pendence re-appear in him. He is the son of Thomas A. and Martha Cockings Lake, and was born on the 8th day of February, 1871. His father was one of the prominent men of his locality. For many years he carried on a thriving business as a lumber merchant at Rockville, Connecticut, then removed to Hartford. He was sent by the town of Woodstock in 1885 as their representative in the legislature. He was also a member of the Republican State Central Committee. In 1897 he served as State Senator, and gave entire satisfaction to his constituents by his able handing of their interests as well as by his hearty support of the right side of much legislation of general importance to the State. He was further hon- ored by the appointment as collector of the internal revenue at Hartford.
Thus it will be seen that capability for public service was a matter of inheritance with the son, Everett, and during his school days, he looked forward to a public career pretty much as a matter of course, just as does the son of a physician, or of a lawyer destine himself more or less definitely to follow in the footsteps of his sire.
There is a distinct advantage in such an attitude, for a man who takes active interest in public life is bound to follow such studies as will make him all the better fitted to be a pub- lic servant. The proof of this is to be seen among the Engish aristocracy, where public service is a regular corollary to a titled name. It sometimes happens, of course, that this system lands a fool in a man's place, but it more often prevents the embarrassing circum- stance of a man obtaining through the accident of a popular election, a position for which he has neither the formal training nor the natural adaptability.
Mr. Everett J. Lake received his early training in the district school of his native town near South Woodstock. His studies were slightly interrupted by the removal of his family from Woodstock to the West, but were resumed soon after in Stromsberg, Nebraska. He was graduated from the Stromsberg High School in 1887, at the age of sixteen, which is about two years below the average age of a high school graduate. That he had not stinted his studies for the sake of getting through early, is shown by his record at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, which he immediately entered, and which conferred upon him the
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degree of Bachelor of Science. Like other ambitious young men of receptive minds, he could see the horizon of possible knowledge constantly widening the higher he climbed, and did not feel that he was as yet properly fitted for the battle of life.
Thereupon, he entered upon a course at Harvard University, which resulted in the conferring upon him of the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1892. Mr. Lake, as may be guessed from the accompanying portrait of him, is of a powerful build, having inherited . a splendid constitution and physique from his father. While in Harvard he devoted some time to athletics, and his efforts on the football field were attended with great success. To his own strong play and the enthusiasm which he has always been able to inspire in his associates, is due more than one victory of the Crimson over its collegiate adversaries. In recognition of this good work and his detailed knowledge of the game, the athletic authori- ties at Harvard have availed themselves of Mr. Lake's services every fall as a coach to spur on the present day undergraduates "to strike down yon guard and there do bloody work, as did your sires at old Thermopyla." Mr. Lake next entered the Law School, but spent only one year there entering instead upon a business career, as clerk in'his father's concern, "The Hartford Lumber Co."
It was not long before Mr. Lake had "made good," as the saying goes, for within a year, he had been entrusted with the responsible position of Secretary of the Company. In 1896, he became treasurer of the concern and while still retaining this position with its honors and hard work, especially the latter, he was made president in 1901. Two years later he adds another double jointed title and responsibility to his list, being now president and treasurer of the Tunnel Coal Co. He still holds these positions, and under his efficient management, both concerns are enjoying a high degree of prosperity.
But the old belief that he was and of a right ought to be a public servant, had its firm hold on him all this while, and until his neighbors saw fit to name him as an official, he became a public servant on his own account, by working for his party, and doing all that a private citizen can towards clean politics and public im- provements. In 1900, he was rewarded with a place on the Hartford Board of School Visit- ors; after holding this position for three years, he went to the House of Representatives from Hartford. The very next session of legislature saw him back there, but over in the more aristocratic wing of that noble structure on the hill of Hartford. He was one of the youngest men in the Senate, but did good work in his first session as chairman of the com- mittee on appropriations ; during the latter as chairman committee on incorporations. He is a Republican in political faith. He wears the uniform of Lieutenant on the staff of the Governor's Foot Guards; is a member of the Hartford Club, and the Hartford Golf Club. He married Miss Eva Louise Sykes, the daughter of the late George Sykes of Rockville. They have two children, Harold S. and Marjorie Sykes Lake.
Mr. Lake was elected in the fall of 1906 as Lieutenant Governor by a plurality of 19,- 781 votes.
The dream of his life has come true; he is like his father before him, a public servant. The air castle of his youth has materialized. The question that is now worrying his oppo- nents is, how many more stories, how many wings, dormer windows and cupolas is he plan- ning to add to that already substantial edifice?
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President ARTHUR T. HADLEY of Yale
ARTHUR T. HADLEY, NEW HAVEN
In the history of the United States, among the men who have left a distinct impress on the life of the country, will be recorded in a high place the name of Arthur Twining Had- ley, president of Yale University, the illustrious son of an illustrious father, in whose reflected honor, Connecticut, his native state, rejoices.
When Timothy Dwight, the venerable and much loved president of Yale, decided to retire, the country was rife with speculation as to his successor, and it was a joyful announce- ment to the student body and to the country at large, when the distinguished, scholarly Professor Hadley of the Department of Economics was chosen for the exalted position.
For years he had been recognized as a man of remarkable attainments, rarely endowed and highly cultured. As a teacher and writer, as a profound scholar, he had ripened and broadened until he amply filled the president's chair, to which he was elected May 25, 1899.
Forty-three years ago, in the year 1856, he was born in New Haven, the son of Profes- sor James Hadley, one of the world's greatest Greek scholars, and Ann Twining, daughter of Stephen Twining, a former steward of Yale College.
From his infancy, he was surrounded with the Yale atmosphere and grew to manhood with a deep and abiding love for Yale in his soul.
He comes from a strongly intellectual line. His grandfather, James Hadley, was a professor of chemistry in Fairfield Medical College, Herkimer County, N. Y .; his uncle, George Hadley, was a professor of Hebrew at Yale.
His father was not only a wonderful Greek scholar and a professor in Yale, but had a marvellous bent toward mathematics which his son inherited. Indeed the latter is one of the few students of whom it was truly observed that he read mathematics as if he enjoyed it.
President Hadley prepared for college at Hopkins Grammar School, and during his course won honor upon honor by his brilliant scholarship. His is a marvelous intellect and an astonishing concentration and to him came as the due reward of his powers the Woolsey and Bristed scholarships, the Winthrop prize for students "most thoroughly acquainted with Greek and Latin poets," Clark prize for solution of astronomical problems, a place on the Junior exhibition list, and the Townsend prize in the senior class.
In addition he kept the lead of his class continuously through his four years in college and was valedictorian of the Class of 1876. He attained absolute perfection in algebra and Greek.
After a post-graduate course at Yale in the history of political science, he spent two years at the University of Berlin, Germany. For four years he acted as a tutor at Yale.
In 1891 he became head of the department of Political Science at Yale, from which post he was taken to act as president of the great university.
His literary achievements have been no less brilliant and unusual than those in the realms of scholarship. When but 29 years of age he published the book, "Railway Trans- portation; Its History and Its Laws," and at once, through this agency, leaped to the posi- tion of the recognized authority in the country on this question. The work is luminous and rich in thought and expression and has been translated into French and Russian.
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He has contributed many articles to magazines, to the New York Evening Post and to the Financial Chronicle. In 1896 he issued the book, "Economics," whose clear, unusual style delighted the critics.
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