USA > Connecticut > Evening post annual 1884: biographical sketches (with portraits) of the state officers, representatives in Congress, governor's staff, and senators and members of the General Assembly of the state of Connecticut > Part 5
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a leading lawyer of New London county, and for a number of years held the position of Chief Judge of the Supreme Court of the State.
Mr. Wait's maternal grandfather was Dr. Philip Turner, in his day a celebrated surgeon. At the early age of nineteen he was appointed assistant-surgeon of a provincial regiment under General Amherst, and served through the French war. In 1777 Congress elected him Surgeon- General of the Eastern Department, which station he filled with great ability till near the close of the war of the Revolution. In 1800 he removed to New York, where he continued in the practice of his profession till he was placed as physician in charge of the troops stationed at the fortifica- tions in the harbor of that city. This office he held until his death in 1815.
Congressman Wait was State's Attorney for New London county in 1842-44, and also from 1846 till 1854. Since the organization of the Bar Association in that county, in 1874, he has been its President, and for a large number of years has been closely identified with most mat- ters of legal interest in that section of the State. His law practice has been extensive and profita- ble, his commanding influence at the Bar insur- ing him all the business that ean possibly be attended to. For the past twenty-five years he has been engaged in nearly all the important cases, civil and criminal, that have come before the New London County courts. He was connsel for Mrs. Cobb in the celebrated murder case which attracted such wide attention two years ago, and it was no doubt his remarkable plea, occupying seven hours in delivery, that saved her life. Mr. Wait is an eminent jurist, and miquestionably is one of the ablest advocates in Connecticut.
Before the war Mr. Wait was a Democrat in politics, and was nominated by his party for Lieutenant-Governor for four consecutive years from 1854, receiving each year the highest vote of any candidate on the ticket. In 1860 he advo- cated the election of Stephen A. Douglas as President. At the outbreak of the war in 1860 he became a strong Union man.
His son, Lieutenant Marvin Wait, of the Eighth Connecticut regiment, served with distinguished courage on the field. In the gallant charge of that command at Antietam he fell mortally
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wounded. His last words were, as his regiment pressed on, " Are we whipping them ?"
In 1864 Mr. Wait was one of the electors-at- large for Connecticut, on the Lincoln-Johnson Presidential ticket. He was a member of the State Senate from the Eighth District during the years 1865 and 1866, the last year serving as President pro tempore of that body. In 1867 he was elected a member of the House of Repre- sentatives from Norwich, and was nominated for Speaker by acclamation. Probably no gentle- man, as presiding officer of the House, was ever more thoroughly esteemed for "the ability, urbanity, and impartiality with which he dis- charged the duties of the chair." He was again elected to that body in 1871 and in 1873. In the session of 1871 he won unqualified praise for the speech which he delivered in support of the joint resolution deelaring Marshall Jewell elected Gov- ernor of Connecticut.
In 1874 he was the Republican candidate for Lientenant-Governor, receiving the highest vote on that ticket. Subsequently he was elected to the Forty-fourth Congress to fill the vacancy cansed by the death of Hon. H. H. Starkweather, and was re-elected to the Forty-fifth, the Forty- sixth, the Forty-seventh, and the Forty-eighth Congress.
As a member of Congress Mr. Wait has cared for the interests of his constituents with untiring vigilance and zeal. The extensive industries which give employment to thousands of citizens in the two eastern counties of the State have had in him an intelligent and watchful guardian. As the advocate and friend of home industries he has steadily opposed in Congress every attempt to impair or weaken the laws under which Con- nectient manufacturing and mechanical interests have sprung up and prospered, and has given his support to every measure calenlated to advance the commercial and agricultural prospects of the State.
During his seven years of service at Washing- ton he has been invariably attentive to the demands made upon his time and consideration by his con- stituents in matters affecting their private inter- ests. Courteons and frank toward all who have approached him, he has allied men to him by the strongest personal ties, and is universally popular throughout his district and the State.
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HON. EDWARD WOODRUFF SEYMOUR.
CONGRESSMAN. FOURTH DISTRICT.
HON. EDWARD WOODRUFF SEYMOUR, of the Fourth District, was born in Litchfield. August 30, 1532. lle comes of a family which from the first settlement of this State has been intimately connected with its government. Since 1740, at eighty-three sessions of the General Assembly, in one of the other of its branches, the names of some of his immediate ancestors appear as numbers. He was graduated at Yale College in the year 1853, and immediately thereafter begun the study of the law with his father, the late Chief Justice in this State. At that time Judge Seymour was in Congress, and his sen acted as his private see rotary for two years while purening his studies. thus curly and thoroughly becoming acquainted with all the duties of a member of Congress. In 1556 he was admitted to the bur, and practice low in his native town until 1575. He at chice
secured a large practice, and gained an enviable reputation both with the public and among lis brethren at the bar. As un advocate in the trial of jury causes he is particularly successful ; is a cross examiner of witnesses he Is few superiors in the State. He was elected a Representative in the General Assembly in the years 1550. 1 500. 1570, and 1-71, and a State Seautorin 1576. He has neted as Chairman of the Judiciary Commit tre, and as such As rendered valuable services In shaping the loss of the State. In 1-75 be moved his las business to Bridgeport, where le still continues it in partnership with the brother Morp- W Seymour. Since His romansd to Bridgeport he has constantly been engaged of the leaders of the Partioll County Bar Hbo ov chnation lead him the toward the pract us
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his profession than toward political life. By birth, education, and connection Mr. Seymour is a thorough Democrat, but permits no party ties
to bind his convictions of duty. He is a believer in the principle of civil service reform, and is pledged to its support.
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HON. FRANCIS BUELL COOLEY.
DISTRICT NO I
HON. FRANCIS BUELL COOLLY of Hartford, Republican Senator from the First District, is a prominent citizen of the Capital City. He was born in Granville, Mass., in 1823, and is in his sixty-first year. He was educated at the public schools, and when a young man engaged in mercantile pursuits. In 1547 he went to Chicago, Ill., then in its infaney and was closely identified with its early interests. He established the first wholesale dry goods house that existed there. He remained in Chicago for a period of seventeen years, and was senior partner of the firm of Cooley, Farwell & Co., one of the largest whole sale dry goods houses in the United States. The firm is still continued under the name of J. V. Furwell & Co. In 1865, having amassed a hand- some fortune, Mr. Cooley removed to Hartford.
and has since lived in the city, his home being a fine residence, surrounded by extensive ground -. on Farmington avenue. He is largely interested in banking and financial institutions, being Prest dent of the National Exchange Bank, a Directin in the . Etna Insurance Company, a Triestee ef the Society for Savings on Pratt street, did it Director in the Hartford Gas Light Compass. Landers, Fragy & Clark, and the Broad Bronk Cinqans. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Retreat for the Inside, and of the American Asshun for the Det and Demo, and a Trustee of the Handand Theologled Sann Har At the November duction Mr. Cedes received a large vate. He is the element Cour man of the Committee on himmed, and of the Committee on State Library
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HON. WILLIAM JUDSON CLARK.
DISTRICT NO 2
HON. WILLIAM JUDSON CLARK, of Southington. Republican Senator from the Second District, was born at Southington, Angust 19, 1525, and is now in his fifty-ninth year. His education was derived from the Sonthington Academy, from which he graduated in the class of 1545. Hle was prepared for a collegiate education, and was about to enter Yale College when a severe attack of ophthalmia compelled him to relinquish hi- intention, and a year elapsed before the malady was enred. He then found employment as a school teacher, and during the winter of Ispi-" had charge of the high school at West Jonn. where he served most acceptably. In the spring of 1847, Mr. Clark formed a business partnership with his brother in law, H. C. Cummings, of Watertown, and the store of Mr. Albert Hitch rock, at what was then known as " Hitchoch's
Basin," on the New Haven and Northampton Canal, in the southern part of Southington, wa- leased by the new firm. There they conducted a country store and sold also coal and lumber. They leased a canal boat and did quite an exten sive freight business for Southington and White bury. No railroads existed then. The store met with fair snecess for these days, but the " Cultor nia fever" having broken out in the winter ist 1-45-9, and Mr. Clark being young and net restrained by the cares of a family. detonuiuel to visit California, for the purpose of seeing the world, and at the same time, should casssun offer, with the intent of acquinga future on January 2%, 1549, he chinger with Lity five others, Mr. Clark called the New Haven in the Echooner Montague, for San Francism, by the www of Con Hori The party arrived in Call
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fornia after a five months' voyage, and were at first quite successful in their search for gold, but an epidemie attacked the party and many were taken siek. Among the latter was Senator Clark, who was compelled by illness to give up his labors in California, and to return home, which he did in the spring of 1850. Soon afterwards he accepted a position as traveling salesman with a Southington firm, engaged in the manufacture of carriage bolts. This venture was so success- ful that he determined to become a mannfacturer himself, and in 1851 he became engaged in the production of hardware, His manufactory was located on the Quinnipiack River, and the busi- mess progressed finely for a year, when the build- ings were destroyed by fire. By Mr. Clark's efforts they were soon rebuilt, and the firm of " William J. Clark " continued until 1854, when it became "William J. Clark & Co." by the admission of two younger brothers of Mr. Clark. The new firm continued to prosper and to extend its business as a conservative judgment dictated, and it always enjoyed the best of credit and con- fidence of the mercantile community. From time to time Mr. Clark gave thought to and made im- provements in various branches of his manufae- tures, the pressing of nuts and washers out of cold metal, by means of powerful machinery ; heading and threading the various kinds of bolts by better and more rapid processes ; and in 1863 and 1864 took out patents for a number of useful improvements, which cheapened and revolution- ized the methods of manufacturing carriage bolts. These patents were infringed upon by other manufacturers, but after long litigation Mr. Clark's right to the priority and conception of the inventions was incontestably established. In 1871 Mr. Clark withdrew from the firm, and his two partners, with a nephew and a young man
in their office, formed the firm of Clark Brothers & Co. Since his retirement from active business Senator Clark has been passing the winters in Southington and the summers in Stony Creek, where he has erected a fine mansion, overlooking the Sound and the picturesque Thimble Islands.
In disposition, while averse to publicity or obtrusiveness, Senator Clark has ever realized his duties as a eitizen and performed them promptly and without fear or favor, and after having done so has returned as promptly to his private busi- ness affairs. During the war he was a zealous Union man, and was the president of the Union League in Southington during the entire period. He also materially assisted in the passage of the "furlough" aet in March, 1863, by which northern soldiers, siek in the hospital, were enabled to return home for thirty days. On many other occasions he has served the State and the nation. In 1874 Senator Clark was the candidate of the Republicans of the First Dis- triet, under the old apportionment, for State Senator. His competitor was Hon. Charles M. Pond. Mr. Pond was elected, but Senator Clark succeeded in lowering his majority below that of the Democratic vote for Governor. In 1882 Senator Clark was elected by a handsome majority.
The Session of 1883 was Senator Clark's first experience in the Legislature, and while he has shown that he has the courage to advocate his convictions, he has also shown, as Chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs, that he possesses a clear head and sound judgment. For the Session of 1884 he is Chairman of three very important Committees-Claims, Temper- ance, and Constitutional Amendments, and a member of the Committee on Contested Elec- tions.
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Hos. THEODORE M. MALTBIE.
DISTRICT NO. 8.
HON. THEODORE M. MALTBIE, Republican Senator from the Third District, was born in New York, April 99, 1812, but left the great city while yet a child, going to the Berkshire hills, where he lived and studied in the common schools and academy until he attained his majority. Then he removed to Granby where he has resided ever since. In 1972 be accepted the position of Deputy Insurance Commissioner of this State under Hon, George & Miller. Thi- relation he continued under Hon, John W. Steel man. In 1975, having previously formed a part nership with Judge Briscoe in Hartford. he with drew to devote himself exclusively to the practice of law. During his experience as an in urined official he earned an excellent reputation as a
specialist. In lese he became associated with Hon. William C. Case and Perey S. Bryant, the tirm name being Case, Maltbie & Bryant, with an office on State street, Hartford. As to hi- political career, the Senator was a member of the Home in 1-70, 1974, and 1-25, in which position he was always con-pienon- for keen perception and executive ability. In 1-23 he was a cui date for Senator in the old Third District, but even with his popularity it could not be rescued from Democratic control, Last year he was nominated in the new Third, and elected by a handsome majaits He is Chaman of the Committed on Ineporations, and of the Con nuttce on doit Rules
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HON. ELISHA N. WELCH.
DISTRICT NO 4
HON. ELISHA N. WELCH, of Bristol, Democratir Senator from the Fourth District, hold- over from last year, when he served in the Senate with ability. His first experience in the Legislature was in 1581, when he was a member of the House. He was born at Chatham, East Hamp- ton Society, February 7. 1509. In early life he was ambitions to attain a hevesful business career, aml his desires have been gratified to an eminent degree. For years he has been coll- nected with the leading business interests of Bristol, and is one of the largest manufacturers of Hartford County. He is the founder and President of the E. N. Welch Maunfacturing Company at Forestville, engaged in the mann- facture of clocks ; President of the Bristol Manu- facturing Company, manufacturers of shirts and drawers; President of the Bristol Bran and Clock Company, the Sheet Bruss Manufacturing
Company, and is at the head of the Welch Spring Company. He is & Director in the Bristol No- tional Bank, and also of the First National Bank at New Haven, of which his brother, Harmanus M. Welch, is President, and ca Governor dane E. English an Associate Director. Throughout his life Senator Welch har- met with milform sieres. Hi- twenty-first birthday occurred upon a Sun day, and on the morning following he began the fomary business on his own account in Bristol From thất day to this Lo has worked band aid ably, and do perseverance and nulmiry los amassel a large fortinge, At ly large file for mannfactories in Bristol and Fere tvdle, dels employment is given to londredet operatives und his parcess los been one of the chief factory the growth of the town Hep cat (or man of the Committee on Capital, Pamlove,
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HON. EDWARD T. TURNER.
DISTRICT NO 5.
los. EDWARD T. TURNER, of Waterbury. Republican Senator from the Fifth District, was born in Northfield, a part of the town of Litchi- field, in 1835. He received a common-school education, and at an early age was apprenticed to a shoemaker, an occupation which he ceased to follow after his apprenticeship had been cola- pleted, he dividing his time between farming and working in the factory. At the age of twenty four he went to Plainville to enter a country store, and it was there that those habits of busi- ness became fixed which have since distinguished him as a merchant. The field in Plainville prov. ing too limited, he moved to Waterbury in Irea -just twenty-one years ago-and embarked in the dry goods business, which from that time has been one of the most influential factors in the city's growth. For these twenty years the house 7
of E. T. Turner has stood second to none in the buy Naugatuck Valley, and indeed has rivaled that of any similar house in the State. The cause of this must be found in his indomitabile perseverance, eternal watchfulness, Ford later, fair dealing, quick sympathies, and his readiness to take hold of anything legitimate which fald promise of profit, growth, and progres, These traits have followed Mr. Turner frem swall be- grinning- until it forty eight he can lock og a competence secured, and a business su sie entrusted to the songer way he recently made a partner, and our first be left to main selt It goes without saying that szerewieds lite find little room in It for the Intherice of justin unbitions Nor set could such a ware steel h wholly minterested in the part of paldies sfuch
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affects the city itself. So Mr. Turner, always a Republican, on account of his popularity, has been chosen for years to lead the forlorn hope in the hopelessly Democratic Fourth Ward, of course only to be as frequently knocked down. For years also he has served as a member of the Board of Fire Commissioners, and of the Board of Compensation, and was for one term elected a Councilman. It was fitting then that such a inan should be nominated for Senator for the Fifth District-which, by common consent, is like his own Fourth Ward, hopelessly Demo- cratic. This nomination came to him just when
he was thinking of throwing his business into other hands, and taking his much-needed and hard-earned rest. With his accustomed vigor he went into the canvass, and was easily elected by a handsome majority-a just tribute to his char- acter and popularity. Mr. Turner is largely interested in Waterbury real estate, is a Director in its Manufacturers National Bank, and con- nected with many enterprises involving the growth of Waterbury, and his counsels cannot fail to be of value in his new role as Senator of this District. He is Chairman of the Committee on banks.
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HON. CHARLES D. YALE.
DISTRICT NO. 6.
HON. CHARLES D. YALE, of Wallingford, Dem- ocratie Senator from the Sixth District, was born at Meriden, and is seventy two years of age. He is a gentleman of dignified presence and affable manners. His education was derived from the common school and the academy. Though not seeking political preferment, he has done the State good service, having been, while a member of the House of Representatives in 1974, a mem- ber of the Committee on Humane Institutions and Chairman of the same Committee while in the Senate in 1875. In 1875, Mr. Yale was again elected to the House, and was one of the Committee on Banks. In the Im-iness world, Mr. Yale holds a high position, and as a winch holder and officer of the Simpson, Hall, Miller & Co. Manufacturing Corporation of Walling ford, he is well known throughout the United States.
The financial reverses of 1635 7 ful Mr. Yale in circumstances necessitating a change in location desirable. After settling up bis atfair -. paying every dollar of indebtedness, be removed to Richmond, Ya., where he led level in early life, his father being in business there Possess ing good health and habits, and to cergetir temperament, he was in a few years at the bowl of a large and successful Dopiness As is well known, all the industles of the country, parties larly at the Sommh, were affertello the war, and Mr. Yale suffered with theother. HG. Bnews else of the war lie wie wilve la slug all in his power to ettert the fe-establishment at the State He presllel at the first ntesting of the dives
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building the first candidate for Governor, (and who was elected,) after the State was allowed by the United States Government to proceed with the reorganization and administration of its own affairs. He was active in establishing the first schools for colored children ever established in the South, and was a member of the City Council of Richmond, filling the position of Chairman of many of its committees. He was appointed fore- man of the Grand Jury of the United States District Court of Chief Justice Chase, in the early part of Judge Chase's work in Virginia.
In 1869, Mr. Yale disposed of his business inter- ests in Virginia, and returned to Connecticut for a permanent residence. His enterprise and good judgment have been well appreciated by the peo- ple of Wallingford, who elected him Warden of the Borough, and the workmen in the factory look upon him as a personal friend. In the Senate last session he served as Chairman of the Committee on the School Fund. He is on the same committee this year and also on the Com- mittee on Contingent Expenses.
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Hos. EDMUND DAY.
DISTRICT NO 7.
HON. EDMUND DAY, of Seymour, Republican Senator from the Seventh District, was born in West Springfield, Mas., December 12, 1831. He remained on his father's farm there until the fall of 1851, attending incidentally the common schools and the Westfieldl Academy. Then he entered the Scientific Department of Yale Col lege for the purpose of pursuing a course of study. But his father and brothers having established a business in Seymour, Conn., he left it at their request to become associated with them. The business was the manufacture of hard rubber goods, and the cleaning and preparation of the different varieties of East India gums, for the use of other manufacturers, under a patent of his brother, A. G. Day. A very large part of these guts used in this country for a period of yents passed through their hands. Mr. Day has con
timed in the manufacturing business over stree he started in it and has been very successful He is also interested in other manufactories ad corporations in this and other States It was Senator Day's brother who invented the methl of making hard rubber flexible, an innpavement, without which the Goodyear patent will have been worth very little Ilis legal night to this invention was disputed tengely of the charts for a series of years, but the Westin wheels decided in his favor The Salater has always taken a deep interest in politics He was a warm friend of the Lincoln and Buchingham support of the war He has been a delegate to in the state, mal diimmaga tregeestly onel to accept paff offer, los speedy delle
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1874 he accepted a nomination as Representative from Seymour, which, for years, had been a Den- ocratic town, and was elected by a majority of fifty-two. In 1873 the Democratic majority was thirty-two. In the canvass, last fall, when the Seventh District and the Senate were in doubt, he was selected as one of the few men capable of carrying the district, in which, in 1881, Senator Gunn was chosen by one hundred and ninety- two majority. After urgent solicitation by lead- ing Republicans he consented, but even then with
reluctance, to accept the nomination. That the confidence of his friends was not misplaced, was shown by his election by six hundred and seventy- two majority. Senator Day is Chairman of the Committee on Manufactures and a member of the Committee on Contingent Expenses. In addi- tion to valuable services in the few public posi- tions he has consented to accept, he was an indis- pensable member from the old Fifth District of the State Central Committee for several years, including the time of the Grant campaigns.
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CON
HON. JOSEPH D. PLUNKETT.
DISTRICT NO. 8.
HON. JOSEPH D. PLUNKETT, of New Haven, Democratie Senator from the Eighth District. holds over from last year, when he served as Chairman of the Committee on Forfeited Rights. He was born in Ireland, July 5, 1942, and is now in his forty-second year. At an early age he came to America and made his home in Nor- wich ; here he received a commonschool educa tion. When the government appealed for vol- unteers to protect it from the Southern rebels, Mr. Plunkett responded. He was Commissary - Sergeant of the 21st C. V., u regiment which saw much service, and in a few months was pro- moted to be Second Lieutenant of Co. K. In 1868 he took an active part in the Connecticut canvass for the Presidency, speaking in support of Horatio Seymour. Then ut the instance of
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