USA > Connecticut > Biographical encyclopaedia of Connecticut and Rhode Island of the nineteenth century > Part 22
USA > Rhode Island > Biographical encyclopaedia of Connecticut and Rhode Island of the nineteenth century > Part 22
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It was with strictest propriety that the descendant of the old Cambridge Uni- versity student was destined to receive a liberal education. Lyman D. Brewster was fitted for college-chiefly at Williams Academy, in Stockbridge, Mass. In 1851 he entered the Freshman class at Yale, and graduated from that venerable institution in 1855. He was the poet of his class. Subsequent to graduation, he studied law under the direction of the Hon. Roger Averill, at Danbury, Conn., and was admitted to the bar on the 21st of January, 1858. There he soon rose to the dignity and influence of a leading member, and became the first Judge of the Court of Com- mon Pleas in Fairfield County-holding the office with credit and distinction from 1870 to 1874 He has also interested himself in all public matters germane to the best interests of his neighborhood. He has served as Judge of Probate, School Visitor of Danbury for sixteen years, and also as one of the directors of the Danbury Savings Bank.
In 1870, and again in 1878 and 1879, Judge Brewster was elected to the lower house of the Connecticut Legislature. In 1878, he was an influential member of the Judiciary Committee, on which he served with Governor Andrews; and in 1879 was on the same committee in company with the Hon. Henry C. Robinson of Hartford. During the session of 1878 he was chairman on the part of the House of the Committee on State Expenditures, and also of the Committee on Constitutional Amendments. He also effectively advocated various important incasures, including the repeal of the "omnibus" clause in the Divorce law. In the same year he was appointed by Governor Hubbard a member of the com- mission for revising the Civil Procedure Code. When the report of the commis- sion was presented in the session of 1879, Mr. Brewster bore an active part in the two-days' debate which ended in its adoption; and also in the subsequent work of the commission in preparing new forms and rules of practice under it. He also, at the opening of the session, secured the adoption of a new joint rule, making
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the Committee on Engrossed Bills a Committee of Correction, to correct all mis- takes and report back to the House all defective bills. The object of the Com- mittee on Corrections is to prevent imperfect acts from becoming laws, until they have been carefully revised and considered by it. The work itself is of cardinal importance to careful legislation.
This is not the only beneficent legislative measure for which the people of Connecticut are indebted to Judge Brewster. In the House journal of 1870 appears the record of billls introduced by him for the economy and protection of labor. One of these, No. 23, provides that "every railroad company shall require sufficient security from the contractors for the payment of all labor performed in the con- struction of said road; and such company shall be liable to the laborer for labor actually performed on the road." This clause became a law. An act for the protection of labor, No. 88, providing that preferred debts due from insolvent estates for labor and services performed, be allowed to the amount of fifty dollars, instead of twenty-five as now provided, also became a law. Twelve bills which passed into law, introduced by him in 1878, greatly reduced the expenses of the State. In November, 1879, Judge Brewster was elected by the Republican party to the State Senate from the Eleventh District, by a majority of 315. His victory was all the more flattering because the district had been carried by the Democrats since 1865 ; and further, because the hatters, who constitute a considerable fraction of the voters in Danbury, voted largely for him, without reference to party, in view of his advo- cacy, in the previous session of the Legislature, of a State commission to examine into the feasibility of regulating prison labor, so that it shall not injuriously affect outside laborers. In the session of 1880, he again served on the Judiciary Com- mittee, but in the capacity of chairman. Hitherto, on common testimony, Senator Brewster has maintained a character for purity, public spirit, ability, and useful service in strict harmony with the reputation of that heroic and godly Pilgrim leader whose memory cannot die, and whose fame will be greener and more luxuriant as the centurics roll onward into eternity. He is yet in his early prime, and the best fruits are borne in the golden autumn.
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ACON, FRANCIS, M.D., of New Haven. Born in New Haven, October 6th, 1832. His father, Rev. Leonard Bacon, D.D., is a divine of the highest reputation, at home and abroad, as a philosophic theologian and masterly preacher. His mother, née Lucy Johnson, is the daughter of a gentleman of that name resident in Johnstown, New York. His early literary education was received in select schools at New Haven, and was followed by a course of study at home, under a private tutor. Thence he was sent to the Phillips Academy, at Andover, Mass.
Electing the profession of medicine, he entered the office of the celebrated Dr. Ives at New Haven, and in due course matriculated at the Medical Department of Yale University in 1849, from which he graduated as M.D. in 1853. Active medical practice began in the city of Galveston, Texas, where he remained about five years. In the civil war, which broke out after his return from the South, and whose advent he had foreseen for some years, he promptly and patriotically arrayed himself on the side of constitutional law and order. In April, 1861, he entered the military service of the United States, in his native town, as Assistant-surgeon of the Second Con- necticut Volunteers, which was a three months' regiment, and which took part in the first disastrous engagement at Bull Run. Dr. Bacon was present with his command on that occasion. After the expiry of its term of enlistment, he was commissioned as Surgeon of the Seventh Connecticut Volunteers, and held that position until July, 1862, doing field duty most of the time, and being present with his regiment at its debarkation on Hilton Head, where it was the first to land on the hostile shore, and the first to wave the flag of Connecticut-after the Stars and Stripes-" above the traitorous soil of South Carolina." He was also on duty with his regiment on Tybce Island, at the siege and capture of Fort Pulaski, Georgia. In July, 18;2, he was commissioned Surgeon of United States Volunteers, with the rank of major, and became Surgeon-in-chief of General Silas Case's brigade. He remained on duty in that position at Washington, D. C., until May, 1863, when he was transferred to New Orleans, in which city he organized the St. Louis General Hospital, of which he remained in charge about a year. During part of his period of service at New Orleans, Dr. Bacon filled the office of Medical Inspector of the Department of the Gulf in most acceptable and efficient manner, and was also for some time the acting medical director.
In August, 1864, he resigned his position in the United States Army, in order to accept the office of Professor of Surgery in the School of Medicine connected with Yale College; which office he retained until June, 1877. Simultaneously with the assumption of professional functions, he commenced the practice of medicine in New Haven, and has since pursued it with marked ability and success. His specialty
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is that of surgery, in which his opcrations have gained such fame for skilfulness that his services are frequently called into requisition in different sections of the State. He is an occasional contributor to the medical journals, and addicts himself mainly to surgical topics. He is a director of the Connecticut State Hospital, and also a surgeon of that institution. Of the New Haven and Connecticut State Medical societies he is a member, and also a permanent member of the American Medical Association.
Dr. Bacon was married in the year 1866 to Miss G. M. Woolsey, daughter of the late Charles W. Woolscy, of New York.
OOMIS, FRANCIS B., of New London, Conn., ex-Lieutenant-Governor of Connecticut. Born at Lymc, April 9th, 1816. Joel Loomis, his father, was an influential public man, a frequent representative of his town in the General Assembly, Judge of Probate for many years, for a bricf . period an Associate Judge of the County Court, and the intimate friend of the late Chief Justice Waite, of Connecticut, whose son occupies the exalted position of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. His mother was Alice Chapcll, of New London.
In carly youth Mr. Loomis improved the opportunity of acquiring an educa- tion, afforded by five years' tuition in a private school, where those branches of knowledge that were most likely to be of service to him in a business career were judiciously and diligently taught. Thus prepared for the active duties of life, on at- taining his majority, hc immediately began the manufacture of woollen goods in his native town, and that with a vigor and wisdom that were rewarded by success from the very beginning. In 1847, the ycar before his removal to New London, Mr. Loomis was honored by an almost unanimous election to the lower branch of the Legislature.
Removing to New London in 1848, Mr. Loomis enlarged his sphere of opera- tion, and has since been prominently identified with the business and financial inter-
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France, B hormis
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ests of that city. Subsequent to his leaving Lyme he erected the woollen mills at Montville, and afterward became the owner of the Rockwell Mills at Norwich, and other factories in that town, now controlled by the firm of Sturtevant Brothers. He also constructed and managed for some time the steam woollen mill at New Lon- don, which factory was the first ever built in the city for the production of textile fabrics, and of which he was the sole owner. The woollen mill at Coventry, Tolland County, was yet another, and the last of his creations in that special department of industrial art. In the marvellous development of the woollen manufacture during the three decades between 1840 and 1870, Mr. Loomis has been one of the prin- cipal factors. In 1840 the United States census returned the amount of capital invested in that business as in excess of $15,000,000, employing 21,000 persons, and producing goods to the value of $20,696,000. In 1870 the census returned the number of woollen manufacturing establishments as 2891 ; of hands employed, 93,108 ; of capital invested, $108,998,000; and the value of the annual product at $177,963,000 -figures which reveal an amazing increase in the accumulated values and industrial resources of the nation.
Not content with these manifold enterprises, he next acquired the exclusive title to the large steam cotton mills at Sag Harbor, N. Y. In the administration of all these undertakings Mr. Loomis was alone, and unassisted by any partner. During the civil war, his manufacturing was conducted on a more extensive scale than that of any other individual in the State. His employés rose to the number of over one thousand, and his numcrous establishments were running night and day in the fulfilment of Government contracts. Unusual executive ability, such as that which is needed in the wise and thorough manipulation of a regiment in the field, is requisite to the successful conducting of so large a business. Some scores of West Point graduates, on retiring to civil life, have become manufacturers, and in peaceful pursuits have brought all their trained and quick-witted energies into masterly exercise. Mr. Loomis himself, in carlier life, displayed a natural relish for military affairs, and at the age of twenty-one was honored by election to the colonelcy of the Third Regi- ment of Connecticut militia. As a financier his abilities are no less conspicuous than as a manufacturer. Quick to perceive proffered advantages, and active in turn- ing them to private and public account, he availed himself of the privileges con- ferred by the National Banking Act, soon after it was passed, and organized the First National Bank of New London, which was one of the first of its class, either in the State or in the country. IIe subscribed and owned nearly the whole of the capital stock, and directed its operations in person from the date of organization until its cessation from business in 1877. Investment rarely proved to be more lucrative than did that. Dividends for many years averaged twelve per cent in gold,
13
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and the surplus accumulations more than equalled the capital. Throughout the rebellion against the United States, that bank was the Government depository for Eastern Connecticut, and for a long time held average Government deposits of over $4,000,000. It was also intrusted with the sale of Government bonds, and floated over $20,000,000 of the several issues. Possessed of an ample fortune, obtained by processes only beneficent to multitudes, Colonel Loomis retired from manufacturing business soon after the elose of the war, and employed his energy and resources in stoek speeulations and railroad enterprises. Some of the former have been of colossal magnitude. The latter, particularly in the South and West, have been on a large scale, have tended to develop the capabilities of those sections of the land, and thus to enrich the inhabitants, while they have yielded rich pecuniary harvests to the daring cultivator.
Politically, Colonel Loomis began publie life as a Whig, and aeted in concert with that party until it ceased to exist. When rebellion broke out, he patriotically. devoted himself to the sustentation of the national cause, and lost neither heart nor hope in the darkest and dreariest hours of the sanguinary struggle that ensued. The grit and tenacity of the old Cromwellians were manifest in his presidency of the war meeting held in the old court-house at New London, on the evening of the day when traitorous hands fired on the national flag at Fort Sumter. His liberality was equally apparent in his contribution to the fund for raising the first company of volunteers sent from that city. The spirit and genius of the Revolutionary fathers never shone more resplendently than in the offer of Colonel Loomis in 1864, just before the carnage and horror of the Wilderness, to furnish and equip at his own expense one thousand men for one hundred days, in order to relieve the gar- rison at Fort Trumbull, that the regulars stationed there might be sent to the front. The noble offer was not accepted, but the genuine and glowing patriotism which dictated it, at the supreme hour of the conflict, received appropriate acknowledg- ment from the President, in the following autograph letter, printed in Raymond's Life, Public Services, and State Papers of Abraham Lincoln, and justly claiming in- sertion here :
" EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, May 12, 1864.
" MY DEAR SIR :
" I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 28th April, in which you offer to replace the present garrison at Fort Trumbull with volunteers, which you propose to raise at your own expense. While it seems inexpedient at this time to accept this proposition, on account of the special duties devolving upon the garrison mentioned, I cannot pass unnoticed such a meritorious instance of individual patriotism. Permit me, for the Government, to
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express my cordial thanks to you for this generous and public-spirited offer, which is worthy of note among the many called forth in these times of national trial. " I am, very truly, your obcdient servant,
" A. LINCOLN. " F. B. LOOMIS, Esq."
Throughout the war, and until 1872, Colonel Loomis acted in harmony with the Republican party, but uniformly declined all overtures to become a candidate for office. The Liberal Republican movement of that ycar enlisted his heartiest sympathy and co-operation, and he was nominated elector at large on the Greeley and Brown ticket. Since then he has been politically identified with the Democ- racy. In 1872 he declined the unanimous nomination as candidate for Senator from the Seventh District, and shortly after the Congressional nomination of the Third Congressional District was also unanimously tendered, but he refused to accept. Of the St. Louis National Democratic Convention, which nominated Tilden and Hendricks for the chief offices in the gift of the American people, he was a delcgate at large from his own State, and was elected chairman of the State dele- gation. He was also made a Presidential elector at large on the Tilden and Hen- dricks ticket from his State. In November, 1876, he was elected to the office of Lieutenant-Governor on the Democratic ticket, and as presiding officer of the Senate, in the subsequent legislative session, discharged his duties with acceptability and skill, added to an impartial dignity that commanded the respectful attention and grateful applause of political friends and opponents alike. At the close of the session, the first ever held in the new State House, the Hon. Senator Brown of the Eighth District, in delivering the farewell of the Senate to its presiding officer, spoke as follows :
" MR. PRESIDENT : I take great pleasure in presenting to you the resolution which has been unanimously adopted by this Senate in your absence. It is the spontancous outburst from the heart of every member of this Scnate.
" Further, Mr. President, it is with hesitation and doubt that I have consented, at the request of my brother Senators, to express in somc inefficient degree the feelings which animate us in the closing hours of the session. I may well say, it would have accorded better with my own feclings if it had fallen to some Scnator who could better express the sentiments of all of us upon such an occasion as this. " By the progress of time, which in its rapid pace delays for nothing human, we are brought to the closing hours of this session-a session which will be notable in the history of this commonwealth as the last session held in the old and time- honored capitol of the State. The distinction has fallen to you, sir, to preside over our deliberations ; and while you were placed in the position which you have so well
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graced, by the action of a party, you have forgotten that you were a partisan, and have conducted yourself as a statesman. As a member of the opposite party, and speaking for the members of that party as well as for the whole Senate, I may say that no act of yours has been such that it could not be commendcd and approved by all.
" In your official position, on every occasion, you have treatcd all questions fairly and honorably, and in a manner to command the respect and approval of all. Strange as it may scem, yet it is true, that during the two years you have presidcd over this body, no appeal has been made from the rulings of the Chair.
" In all personal relations, coming together strangers to cach other as it were, we have come to love and cstecm you, and no member of this Senate will sever the rcla- tions which have bound us together without feelings of pain and regret at the parting, which will extend far into the future; but that pain will be softened by a pleasure in the new friendships which have been the growth and product of this session, which we scriously hope will only terminate with lifc. It brings feelings of sadness as we review the history of the session, to think of parting; but we must not lct its sadness oppress us. We must remember that life is like a picture : it has its sunshine and its shadow. Let us not forget that we have for weeks walked together with you in sunshine ; in this parting hour we stand within the shadow. But as wc part, whether in sunshine or in shadow, may God be with us all."
The Senator then, on bchalf of the Senatc, prescnted Lieutenant-Governor Loomis with a large photograph of the old State House, with the pictures of the twenty-onc Senators grouped around it, as a testimonial of friendship and esteem.
Mr. Loomis was urgently requested to become a candidate for the lieutenant- governorship for a second term, and although positively declining the honor, he was chosen by acclamation in the convention, but he refused to stand as the candidatc.
In the fall of 1880 he was a prominent candidate for gubernatorial honors, and it was the belief of all the leading men in the party that his nomination would insure success to the Democratic ticket. His peculiar fitness for the position, in connection with his popularity among the masscs, were some of the reasons why Mr. Loomis should have been the candidate of his party in the carnest and critical campaign of 1880. Whatever may have been his personal wishes in the matter, he after mature consideration prepared the following letter, which spcaks for itself :
" NEW LONDON, August 17th, 1880.
" ALEXANDER TROUP, Editor New Haven Union :
"MY DEAR SIR: Your valucd paper has made such frequent mention of my name in connection with the Democratic nomination for Governor that I now ask
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the use of its columns to announce that, after a careful consideration of all the circumstances, I have decided to withdraw as a candidate for any position before the convention to-morrow.
" I am deeply sensible of the kindness and partiality which has induced leading organs of Democratic opinion, and hosts of friends in all parts of the State, both openly and privately to advocate my nomination. I am not unmindful of their wishes, nor insensible to the distinguished honor at such a time as this of leading the Democratie party to victory. But I am unwilling that any action of mine should produce embarrassment to the convention, or that the introduction of my name there should contribute, even in the slightest degree, to divided counsels.
" We are entering upon a campaign the importance of which, to the country and the Democratic party, can hardly be overestimated. Peace, harmony, fraternal good-will ; the burial forever of the passions and resentments of civil war; the preser- vation of the rights of the States, and of the proper powers by the Federal Govern- ment; the maintenance of the Constitution in the spirit of the men who made it; the prosperity and happiness of all in all parts of the land-these depend upon the success of the Democratic party and the election of its noble candidate. To this great end all private ambition should be sacrifieed and all personal self-seeking and local claims subordinated.
"In this great contest Connecticut is elaimed as a doubtful State. She is certainly a pivotal State; and with harmonious counsels and wise nominations she is certainly Democratic. I hold it to be the duty of every Democrat to contribute to such a result by every means in his power and by any sacrifice at his command. In view of the consequences at stake, all differences should be adjusted, all jealousies put aside, all claims and preferences surrendered, and the convention be left at liberty to select such a candidate as will not only unite the great Democratie party, but also draw to its support that great body of conservative voters who are opposed to sectionalism and misrule.
" I have no doubt that the convention will, by the exercise of wisdom and harmony, come to such a result, and that its proceedings will place Connecticut in the list of that great majority of the States which are certain for Hancock and English.
"I am, with great respect, yours truly, " FRANCIS B. LOOMIS."
Thus we find one putting aside self that he might perhaps the better secure the success of his party, and one whom in honoring, the people would have honored themselves.
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NGERSOLL, RALPH ISAAC, lawyer, of New Haven. . Born in New Haven, February 8th, 1789. His father was among the foremost members of the legal profession, was a gentlemen of great moral worth, and held many influential public positions. His grandfather, the Rev. Jonathan Inger- soll, was a Congregational minister, settled at Ridgefield.
After graduation at Yale College in 1808, Mr. Ingersoll read law for two years with Seth P. Staples, founder of the New Haven Law School, and then opened an office in his native city. David Daggett, Seth P. Staples, and Nathan Smith were then the leaders of the bar. The latter gave cordial encouragement to the young practitioner, who assisted him in the preparation of his cases, and ever afterward spoke of him in terms of admiration. As the associate, and not unfrequently as the opponent of these distinguished men, young Ingersoll rose to reputation. Merit, assiduity, and self-reliance won commendation and commanded
success. In 1813, yielding to the prevailing passion for military honors, he became second lieutenant of the Horse Guards; and, in the next year, brigade-major and inspector, Second Brigade, under General Howe. In the exercise of his func- tions as inspector, he subjected the swords and bayonets to such severe tests that many of them were broken. Indignant complaints were preferred, and he was publicly tried by court-martial. Defending himself with signal ability, he bared his puny arm, and insisted that weapons breaking under such pressure as it could impose were unfit for actual service. The effect was electric, and he was triumph- antly acquitted.
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