USA > Connecticut > Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial; representative citizens, v. 3 > Part 28
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Lucius Albert Barbour, only son of Lucius and Harriet Louise (Day) Bar- bour, was born in Madison, Indiana, Jan- uary 26, 1846. His parents removed to Hartford, Connecticut, shortly after his birth, and his associations are entirely connected with that city. There he re- ceived his education, graduating from the high school with the class of 1864. He gained his first experience in business life as clerk in the Charter Oak Bank of Hart- ford, was promoted from one position to another, and at the expiration of two years was promoted to the position of teller, in which capacity he served for about five years, resigning for the purpose of making an extended tour of Europe in order to supplement his studies. His career in the banking world was but temporarily interrupted, however, his connection with the Charter Oak Bank being renewed upon his return to the United States, of which he became the president in 1910. This office he con- tinued to hold until the absorption of the bank by the Phoenix National Bank in 1915, and in that year he was elected president of the Colonial National Bank of Hartford, an office which he holds at the present time (1917). But his influence in the business world is not by any means confined to banking circles, his interests extending into other departments, not- ably, industrial and insurance. He was formerly connected with the Willimantic Linen Company, serving that concern as president and treasurer for many years, and is a director of the National Fire In- surance Company of Hartford, and of the firm of Landers, Frary & Clark of New Britain.
But great as is his influence in the business world, it is not in that connec-
tion that he is best known to his fellow citizens and the people of the State, but rather as a public officer, especially a military officer and as a master of military science. His first connection with the Connecticut militia was in 1865, when, on September 9, he enlisted in the Hartford City Guard, which was at that time a part of the First Regiment, and known as Battery D. It was obvious from the first that he possessed unusual aptitude in the work, an aptitude that amounted to a great talent, and was combined with the utmost devotion which impelled him to continual labor in the cause of his regi- ment's advantage and indeed of the entire service. It was not long before promotion followed his efforts, but this advance, like that in business, was checked for a time by his travels in Europe, which caused him to tender his resignation. His knowledge of the details of military affairs, to which he had applied himself most diligently, was too great to permit his associates to forget him, and in 1875, after his return home from Europe, he was elected major of the First Regiment. In this position another ability made itself apparent in addition to the others that rendered him, a good soldier. This was his natural ability to lead and direct men, which soon told in the splendid discipline of the troops under his charge. His skill as an officer had the natural result in securing his further promotion and he rapidly advanced to the rank of lieuten- ant-colonel, December 28, 1876, and, to colonel of the First Regiment, June 26, 1878. Under his capable command the regiment became a model one, its splendid discipline and the perfect manner in which it went through its drills and the various field manoeuvers exciting admi- ration everywhere. It appeared in the review of troops at the Yorktown Cen- tennial held in 1881 under the command of Colonel Barbour, and its appearance
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there gave to his reputation as an officer a national character. Nor was this all, for the well known English military critic who was present as correspondent for one of the great London dailies, paid him a remarkable tribute of praise in his articles. On November 12, 1884, he re- signed as colonel of the First Regiment, but later was appointed to the office of adjutant-general of the State. His choice to this office was highly approved by all who were acquainted with the man, and he amply fulfilled the expectations of his admirers by the manner in which he administered affairs.
While thus active in military matters, General Barbour has been connected with politics in a prominent manner in his State, and has held many responsible offices. He is a staunch Republican in political belief, and has always supported that party at the polls, being firmly con- vinced that it stands for sound economic principles and the most rapid progress consistent with safety. In 1879 he was elected to the State Legislature, and served during the following term, making a reputation for sincerity and unimpeach- able probity in all his actions there. He was a member of the committee of the house that instituted "Battle Flag Day," and was very active in making prepara- tions for its appropriate and adequate celebration. Among the many interests of General Barbour is that which he takes in the local history of the region. illus- trated by his membership in the Connec- ticut Society of Colonial Wars, in which he holds the office of secretary.
General Barbour married, February 8, 1877, Harriet Elizabeth Barnes, daughter of Alfred Smith and Harriet Elizabeth (Burr) Barnes, of Brooklyn, New York. Mr. Barnes was the founder of the large and well known publishing house of A. S. Barnes & Company of New York City. Mrs. Barbour, who was born in Brook-
lyn, New York, December 2, 1849, died November 8, 1899, at the Barbour home in Hartford, Connecticut. To General and Mrs. Barbour two children were born: Lucius Barnes, of Hartford, and Harriet Burr, who became the wife of George Alexander Phelps, of Pelham Manor, New York.
General Barbour has for long been a potent influence for good, not merely in the business world, but in the general life of the community. There is probably no city in the world with higher and more honorable business traditions than Hart- ford, among whose merchants and finan- ciers have appeared some of the best and strongest men in the history of the State, and to the best of these he has adhered in an age which has, perhaps, not been too strict in its observance of the more exact- ing standards of the past. A conservative in his instincts and feelings, he neverthe- less is wholly in favor of that prudent progress which is the most rapid because devoid of haste. He thus occupies that important place among his fellows that is perhaps best described as keeping the balance between the extremes of con- servatism and radicalism, throwing his influence at once against stagnation and dangerous advance. His personality is a pleasing one, especially to men, who recognize in the frank, open manner the sterling type of manhood which is at once strong and flexible.
BEECHER, William J.,
Lawyer, Jurist.
The name Beecher belongs to that class of English surnames, which were origi- nally derived from the names of the localities in which the first of the family to adopt the name resided. The author- ity Bardsley assign Beecher to a local source, "one who lived by some promi- nent beech tree." The name is a very
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ancient and honorable one, and is found in authentic records as far back as the middle of the thirteenth century. The Beecher coat-of-arms is as follows :
Arms: Vaire, or and gules, on a canton or, a stag's head cabossed sable. Crest: A demi-lion erased or, girded around the waist with a ducal coronet or.
Many of the name of Beecher have been distinguished in England, and since its establishment in the New World, Beech- ers have played prominent parts in the affairs of the country. Henry Ward Beecher, the famous preacher, was one of the most famed of the Beechers, and in the character of the great men of a gener- ation past was to be found the character- istics of the family-stern and rugged honesty, a love of liberty, independence, a broad tolerance, love of country, and of family honor.
The late Judge William J. Beecher, a member of a branch of the Beecher fam- ily which has been established in Con- necticut since the time when that now flourishing State was a small and strug- gling but infinitely brave and independent colony, was born in Bridgeport, Connec- ticut, March 5, 1859, the son of John and Margaret Beecher. His parents later removed to Easton, Connecticut ; there he received his early education in the local elementary schools, finishing at the Staples Academy in Easton, where he prepared for college. Having decided upon the law as his profession, he entered the Yale Law School to study to that end, and was graduated from that insti- tution in the class of 1880. On July I, 1880, he was admitted to the bar in New Haven, and in August of the same year he opened an office for practice in the city of Bridgeport. Judge Beecher removed to Newtown, which he made his home for the remainder of his life, on January IO, 1881. He is said to have been influenced
in this move by the late High Sheriff Aaron Sanford. Upon coming to New- town he had slight difficulty in securing an office, and located temporarily in the small rooms over the old tin shop of the late Daniel Camp, later removed to suit- able quarters over the present store of Robert H. Beers.
His maiden case, in so far as the qual- ities in Judge Beecher which prompted him to bring about its extraordinary de- nouement were concerned, was character- istic of his whole legal career. In the course of his first case, circumstances came to such a head that he found it necessary to cause the arrest of his own client, an event which shows clearly the impeccable integrity and honesty of the man. In October, 1892, he opened an office in Bridgeport, retaining at the same time his office at his residence in New- town. In October, 1894, he formed a partnership with Frank M. Canfield, under the firm name of Beecher & Can- field. The firm had offices in the Sanford Building in Bridgeport, and in the sub- sequent years Judge Beecher's success in his profession became widely known throughout the country, his victory in several noted legal cases bringing him an enviable reputation for legal acumen. His practice was one of the largest in the city in his day, and perhaps there could be no truer indication of his worth than the fact that he was deeply respected and honored by his associates of the Fairfield county bar. In this number were in- cluded Justice George W. Wheeler, of the Connecticut Supreme Court, and many other men of note.
Judge Beecher was connected with a large number of important and well re- membered cases. He was chief counsel for the late C. H. Peck, executor of the estate of Elon Booth. Mr. Peck was re- moved as executor by the late Judge M. J. Bradley. This action was the cause
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of a widespread antagonism, and it was generally felt at the time that it was flagrantly unfair and a miscarriage of jus- tice. The Superior Court, on an appeal of the action, decided in favor of Mr. Peck, and he was reinstated forthwith. As chief counsel, Judge Beecher was asso- ciated in his work on this famous case with the late Attorney Samuel Fessenden, of Stamford, and ex-Congressman De Forest, of Bridgeport. The firm of Beecher & Canfield were also employed as counsel for the contestants of the will of the late Horatio Lake, who cut off his relatives and left the bulk of his property to Yale University. Before the attorneys on the other side of the case had fully awakened to the situation, Messrs. Beecher & Canfield made a house to house canvass in Bethlehem, securing sworn testimony taken before witnesses con- cerning the ability of the late Mr. Lake to execute a valid will. The direct result was, that just before the case came to trial at Litchfield the late Judge Hunt- ington, of Woodbury, and the New Haven and Hartford attorneys associated with him, consented to a compromise whereby Mr. Lake's heirs secured a substantial amount.
Judge Beecher was very prominent in the local affairs of Newtown, and espoused every issue which he felt would be to its ultimate advantage. He was un- restrained by party lines, and gave his support without prejudice to what he thought right. He was eminently a fair man, and was recognized as such. In November, 1886, he was elected judge of probate for the district of Newtown, and served in that office for two terms. By an unfortunate complication in the Demo- cratic caucus, Judge Beecher was defeated for renomination by a man who later thoroughly demonstrated his incompe- tence. Several warm contests were made to defeat the man, but these failed. In
1906, however, Judge Beecher was named on the Republican ticket. His value to the community in the office was so gen- erally recognized and acknowledged that he was supported by the best elements in the town, irrespective of party lines. He was elected, as was the case in later elec- tions when he ran on the Democratic ticket. He commanded a very large vote among the independent voters of the town. Under his administration the office was brought to a very high standard of efficiency, and the arrangement and con- dition of the probate records is said by probate experts to be ideally perfect.
In addition to his connection with the political life of Newtown, Judge Beecher also took a keen interest in its business life. He was intensely public-spirited. The establishment of the Newtown Water Company, an improvement which brought material comfort and advancement to the community, was largely due to his earnest and persistent efforts in its behalf. After much labor in the interest of the work, he and one other citizen finally contrib- uted a very large sum to complete the project, which has been a beneficent one to the residents of the borough. Judge Beecher was also an ardent champion of the cause of education, and gave much of his time and attention to it in Newtown. For ten years prior to his death he pro- vided the sum of forty dollars in gold at each annual commencement of the high school, to be used as prizes awarded for scholarship. Until his death, this fact was not known to more than half a dozen people in the entire town, so unostenta- tiously was the gift made. For several years Judge Beecher was a member of the Borough Board of Burgesses, and for two years prior to his death he was a member of the Democratic State Central Committee. He was well known in Democratic and legal circles throughout
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the State of Connecticut, and had many friends among the Democratic leaders.
In 1901 he was chosen a director of the Newtown Savings Bank, and remained in that capacity until his death, serving the last two years as a member of the loan- ing committee. Judge Beecher was also attorney for the bank, and was deeply interested in the success of the institution, of which the late Henry Beers Glover, his wife's father, was the first president.
Judge Beecher was of that silent, reti- cent type of men whose capacity for deep feeling and friendship is very great. He was intensely loyal to his friends, and generous almost to a fault, refusing very few appeals for aid. His counsel was both sought and followed among the old and young men of the town, and many young men owe their start on a success- ful career to him. He was a warm- hearted, sympathetic man, but withal re- served, and often misunderstood because of the forceful independence of his nature. To the world in general he pre- sented a cold and impassive front, and only to those who knew him well was the true depth and worth of his nature ever revealed. Nevertheless he was a popular man, and one thoroughly loved and re- spected in the entire community.
Judge Beecher died on December 3, 1915, at his home in Newtown. Excerpts from some of the resolutions passed by the several large organizations of which he was a member are appended hereto:
The following is taken from the reso- lutions of the Fairfield County Bar Asso- ciation :
Mr. Beecher came to the bar when Edward W. Seymour, Lyman D. Brewster, Samuel Fessenden (all of them now gone) were at the zenith of their power. With such as these, associated or opposed, he eagerly exerted his young and ardent energies ; and from them he drew inspiration and learned lessons which made him in his best days a trial lawyer of no mean ability.
Though aggressive in the conduct of his cases,
he was singularly devoid of that form of self- assertion which is based on conceit. Rather did his strength as an advocate come from his intense will to prevail in any legal cause which he deemed just.
He had a high ethical sense of his profession As an officer of the Court, his fidelity was in full accord with his attorney's oath. Good faith actu- ated him in all his relations with the Court, and the presiding judge might implicitly trust any statement made by him as to matters of personal knowledge or opinion. For pettifogging methods he had nothing but contempt.
His fidelity to his client was equally worthy of note. He did not accept a case primarily because there was a fee in it, but because he saw some wrong to be righted, or some justice to be done. The case he liked the most of all was where he saw an opportunity for the strong to assist the weak; then he lavished his time and talents with- out stint.
Judge Beecher was a man of public spirit. It was but natural that a lawyer of his strong nature should be foremost in the affairs of his town; and for a score of years no important measure was adopted in the town of Newtown without the endorsement of his clear and positive mind.
The resolutions passed by the Board of Trustees of the Newtown Savings Bank, with which Judge Beecher was connected for over fourteen years, contain the fol- lowing :
During his long period of service he took a deep interest in the welfare and growth of the bank and gave his time and advice freely to promote its best interests. He was a man of generous im- pulses, a public-spirited citizen, and an able attor- ney, an honored Judge of Probate for many years and will be sadly missed in this community. In his death we have suffered a great loss and the depositors a friend and wise counselor * * *.
Judge F. F. Addis, friend of Judge Beecher for over thirty years, said of him :
For a period of more than thirty years I have known Judge Beecher. During that time I have always found him in the practice of his profession to be always jealous in protecting the interests of his clients. As an associate he was willing to take the laboring oar, while as an opponent he was forceful and skillful, but always just to his oppo- nent. A hard fighter but a fair one. In my nearly four years of contact with him in the deliberations
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of the Democratic State committee I always found his conception keen and his judgment ripe. In his social intercourse he was genial, whole hearted and generous. He is one of the men the town and State can ill afford to lose, and to converse with him for any extended length of time seemed to give to those around him an inspiration.
Judge Eugene D. Dempsey, in speak- ing of Judge Beecher said :
There is not a lawyer in Fairfield county who would be unwilling to speak a word of praise of Judge Beecher. His career as a member of the bar and as a probate judge was a chain of con- scientious application to the interest of his clients and to the just administration of his judicial duties. His political life was not tempered by conciliation and brought to him small comfort or gain, yet he always believed in his position and thereby gained the confidence of his party and measured personal satisfaction. He thought deep- ly of life and was prone to discuss its inequalities, but consistently refrained from giving expression to his ultimate conclusions. For those who achieved in the practice of law, he had profound respect and veneration, well knowing the trials and difficulties attending such distinction. Always realizing the value of exactness as applied to the requirements of his profession, he became ac- cepted as a draftsman of legal documents. Judge Beecher will long be remembered as a loyal lawyer, competent judge, and a worthy citizen.
Judge Beecher was married, on April 3, 1891, to Mary Blakeslee Glover, of New- town, a daughter of Henry Beers Glover, one of the most prominent citizens of the town of his day, and first president of the Newtown Savings Bank. The children of Judge and Mrs. Beecher were : I. Florence Glover Beecher. 2. Henry Glover Beecher, who died at the age of four years. 3. Mar- guerite Kathryn Beecher.
The Misses Florence G. and Marguerite K. Beecher reside in the old family home in Newtown, which was built by their grandfather, Henry Beers Glover. Mrs. Beecher died in Newtown on September 23, 1916, at the age of sixty-two years.
(The Glover Line).
(I) The Glover family has been promi- nent in Connecticut from the earliest
Colonial days, and traces its descent to the immigrant, Henry Glover. The Glover coat-of-arms is as follows: Sable, a bend argent, between three herons' heads erased of the second. Henry Glover emigrated from England, and located in the Massa- chusetts Colony, in the town of Boston. He is thought to have been about twenty- four years of age when he arrived in America, and shortly after his arrival he journeyed to New Haven, where he set- tled and remained for the rest of his life. According to old records "he became rec- onciled to the Church" in New Haven, June II, 1644, and took the oath of allegi- ance to the Colony, on July I, of the same year. He died in New Haven, September 2, 1689, and his wife, Helena, died there, March 1, 1697.
(II) John Glover, son of Henry and Helena Glover, was born in New Haven, Connecticut. October 8, 1648, and died January 29, 1679. He married Joanna Daniels, on December 7, 1671.
(III) John (2) Glover, son of John (I) and Joanna (Daniels) Glover, was born in New Haven, Connecticut, November 20, 1674. He later removed to Stratford, Connecticut, and resided there for about sixteen years. He died June 30, 1752, and is buried at Newtown, where the family has since flourished. He married (first) November 27, 1700, Margaret or Marjory Hubbard, who died at Stratford, Connec- ticut, March 14, 1704. On July 14, 1707, he married (second) Mrs. Bathiah Beach Bickley.
(IV) John (3) Glover, son of John (2) and Margaret (Hubbard) Glover, was born in New Haven, December 30, 1701. was married on July 12, 1724, to Eliza- beth Bennett, of Stratford. Although at the time of the outbreak of the American Revolution, John (3) Glover, was seven- ty-six years of age, he enlisted in the Dragoon Artillery, Third Troop, Connec- ticut Militia, under Colonel Elisha Shel-
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don, and served from the year 1777 until the close of the war in 1783.
(V) John (4) Glover, son of John (3) and Elizabeth (Bennett) Glover, was born February II, 1732, and died on July 2, 1802. He married Elizabeth Curtis.
(VI) Josiah Glover, son of John (4) and Elizabeth (Curtis) Glover, was born November 27, 1762, and died November 1, 1840. He married, September 4, 1792, Rebecca, daughter of Abel Booth.
(VII) Abiel Booth Glover, son of Jo- siah and Rebecca (Booth) Glover, was born January 16, 1797, and died October 13, 1825. He married, May 5, 1822, Maria Nichols, daughter of David Nichols. Their children were: Mary Eliza, born May 5, 1823, died September 5, 1825; Henry Beers, mentioned below.
(VIII) Henry Beers Glover, son of Abiel Booth and Maria (Nichols) Glover, was born in Newtown, Connecticut, De- cember 8, 1824. He prepared for college in the local school of the town, and en- tered Yale University, from which he was graduated with the class of 1820. After leaving college he spent some time in Cleveland, Ohio, but later returned to Newtown, where he became one of the most prominent citizens of the commu- nity, a financial leader, successful mer- chant, and eminent churchman. Mr. Glover engaged in farming also on a large scale, and for several years kept a store on the site of the residence of the late Charles H. Peck.
Mr. Glover was the principal organizer and founder of the Newtown Savings Bank, and its first president. For a num- ber of years he served as a member of the board of directors of the First National Bank of Bridgeport. Although always active in behalf of any issues which would benefit the community, Mr. Glover was never engaged in politics. He was a staunch supporter of the Republican party in questions of national importance,
but voted independently on local affairs. He was for many years connected with the Trinity Episcopal Church of New- town, and gave liberally to its support, being one of the most generous of the contributors to the building fund for the new church. He died at his home in New- town, March 6, 1870.
Henry Beers Glover married Eliza Blakeslee. She died May 17, 1875, aged forty-nine years. Their children were : William Booth born September 15, 1850; Mary Blakeslee, born October 31, 1853, married Judge William J. Beecher (see Beecher) ; Florence Stanley, born July 28, 1854, married Abel Clark, died April 3, 1892 ; Maria Nichols, born May 7, 1859, died May 15, 1859.
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