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 6
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Hon. Colin M. Ingersoll, then Adjutant-General. be removed to New Haven to accept a position in his office. Gen. Merwin was Gen. Ingersoll'- Successor und offered Mr. Plunkett a continuance of his engagement, but the offer was declined Mr. I'mkett became associated with a Boston house us special agent, a connection he retainel until he entered the Yale Law School, from which he graduated in 1574 1n 1572 10-101016 1 the State for Greeley, in 1576, and notably, Do Tilden, speaking forty ones in the State, so in Ing for Hancock Hewas oneet the veroni er of the Hancock Legion of America Toothed tour were des Grand Am ugy wel Belonged in New Haven-Major Clark Peck, Surgeopties, Bizell, Col. John G, Hedy, and Col Edward M Graves Dning his residence in New Haven
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he has been associated with the musical world, has served upon the public charity boards, and is a member of the Committee on Soldiers' Monu- ment. He was Assistant City Attorney, in 1876-7. He was Commander of Henry C. Mer- win Post, No. 52, G. A. R., and is now Judge Advocate on Department-Commander Hyatt's staff. He is still a member of the local Board
of Education. Mr. Plunkett is a ready and elo- quent debater, his oratorical power being of the first order. In his district he is very popular, and received his election to the Senate in the fall of 1882 by a majority of 2,699. He was Chairman of the Committee on Forfeited Rights last year; this year he holds a like position on the Committee on Sale of Lands.
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HON. STILES T. STANTON.'
DISTRICT NO. 9.
HON. STILES TREMBILL STANTON of Stoning- ton, Republican Senator from the Ninth Dis- trict, is a brilliant and versatile journalist ; his reputation for graceful, humorous writings extend- ing considerably beyond local circles. Both before and since his retirement from the news- paper field his career has been one of minter- rupted success, and he came to the Senate this year with a most flattering endorsement from his constituency, as shown by the large majority which he received at the November election. Senator Stanton is a native of Stonington, and a member of one of its oldest und most respected families. He was prepared for, but did not enter, Yale College, at the Collegiate Institute of New Haven, and soon after graduation became a journalist. From 1875 to 1575 he was on the
brigade staff, Connecticut National Guard. In the campaign of 1550 he acted as secretary of the Republican State central committee, and was an alternate delegate to the national Republican convention at Chicago in that year. He wasale Executive Secretary to Governor Charles B. Andrews, and has held ummerous local and surfal offices. In lest and rese he was a member of the House, and made a brilliant record hy the fall of 1599 he was the Republican candidate for Secretary of State, and ran largely Ahead of his ticket. Senator Stanton is one of the best kim wn men in Connectient, and throughout the State he is very popular. His important committee on nections in the Senate at as Chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs and a member of the Committee on Pacentro Newton's
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Hos. CHESTER W. BARNES.
DISTRICT No. 10.
HON. CHESTER W. BARNES of Preston, Deto- cratic Senator from the Tenth District, was born in Norwich Town, adjacent to Preston, March 16, 1541. In his infancy his parents moved from Norwich to Lisbon, and after a five years' resi- dence in the latter town they returned to Norwich. Remaining only a year, they made a permanent removal, settling in the town of Preston. Sena tor Barnes ancestors were well-to-do farmers, and it is worthy of note that his grandparents, both of whom lived to the age of ninety three years. kept house in the old homestead at Preston for seventy-one years, and brought up a family of eleven children. The subject of this sketch received his education in the main ut the public
schools, und was later trained for commercial pursuits. For the past thirteen year- he ka- been proprietor of a quarry business in Preston. which under his management has become a sub stantial -necess. In De be represented hi- town in the General Assembly, and was a meni ber of the Committee on Chains. In pelle was Chairman of the Board of Selectmen of the town of Preston, and he has also been Constable there for several years. He is a gentleman et mestentations manner, of time conviction in political and civil matters, of excellent judgment in business affairs, and withala thenuczbly pro tical man He is Chalman of the Centmitted on Canvas of Votes for Justices of the l'on
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HON. JOSEPH CLARK CRANDALL.
DISTRICT NO. 11
HON. JOSEPH CLARK CRANDALL, Republican Senator from the Eleventh District, was born in South Kingston, R. I., September 2, 1832. He is a substantial farmer of Lebanon, to whose habits of industry, faithfulness, and thoroughness are superadded an unimpeached record for integ- rity and ability. He is a representative of the best element of New England life, an intelligent. active, prosperous farmer, full of the character- istics which have made New England what it is. For the past twenty years he has resided in Lebanon, and has been closely identified with the educational and religious interests of the community, ocenpying among other position- that of member of the Society Committee of the Lebanon Baptist Church. From 1976 to 1582. Senator Crandall was Selectman of his town, serving as chairman for the last five years, and as Town Agent. Although tendered a renomi nation he positively refused to accept it. He is at present Treasurer of the Town Deposit and
School Funds. In 1575 he represented Lebanon in the lower House of the Legislature, with credit to himself and honor to his town. The Eleventh District consists of fourteen towns and is regarded as a " close district." Senator Crandall's own town, in the recent election, gave him two han dred and forty-one votes, while his opponent received sixty seven, a majority of one hundred and seventy-four, which is unprecedented in the annals of the town, and abundantly shows he- personal popularity at home. The genealogy of the Senator shows him to have descented from a sterling ancestry, He is a sen of Dessew Clark Crandall of South Kingston, whoals rellen bered as a man of streng character ail themmugh integrity by those who enjoyed this isplatiti et Senator Crandall's estimable wie is a daughter of the late Benjamin Carpenter, Ale of Medi Kingston. He is a Regnblech in pl . The present session he is Charme of the Ja Standing Committee of Agriculture
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Hos. EDWIN L. SCOFIELD.
DISTRICT NO 12
HON. EDWIN LEWIS SCOFIELD of Stamford. Republican Senator from the Twelfth District. was a member of the House in 1992, when he served upon the Judiciary Committee. He at once sprang into prominence, and his success in the House was one of the leading features of the session. He was born in Stamford. June 18. 1852, and is one of the youngest members of the General Assembly. His early education was derived from select schools, and in 1573 heentered the senior class of the Columbia College Law School, and was graduated in the spring of 1871. Just at that time he attained his majority, and was inmediately admitted to the Fairfield County bar, and has since por-ned his profession at Stam- ford, building up n large practice. Though still a young man, his career has been one of great success. He has held the positions of Town
Counsel of Stamford and Borough Attorney. and was Procenting Agent for Fairfield County for four years. While a member of the House in 1552. in addition to his place on the Judiciary Conunittee, he was Chairman of the Commfitter on New Counties and County Seats. In the Senate, at the last session, he was Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, the most ing Het of the committee, and he served with distinto He is a sound and ready deletter, and his explan- ations of how points are clear and candle In the southwest section of the State he is a leading member of the Republiout puty In the Somare mittee and also of the Committee of State of Gios. Backinghalu and a touch of the town
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HON. JAMES W. HYATT.
DISTRICT NO. 13.
JAMES W. HYATT .* who represents this impor- tant district, was born in Norwalk, and is forty- six years of age. He studied in the common schools until he was thirteen years of age, when he commenced an active business life. Step by step he rapidly and steadily advanced and we find him from 1560 to 1572, a trusted clerk with the banking firm of Le Grand Lockwood & Co. of New York. Since his return to Norwalk, Conn., in 1573, he has had positions of trust placed in his charge. In 1873 he was elected Justice of the Peace and also Vice President of the Danbury & Norwalk Railroad Company, which office he held until test when he was elected President. In 1874 he was elected President of the Norwalk Horse Railroad Company and has been reelected each year since. In 1975 and 1976 he represented the Town of Norwalk in the State Legislature. and was appointed on the House Committee on Finance, a position of considerable importance. and in 1876 did much excellent work for the
Commonwealth. In 1576 Governor Ingersoll appointed him Bank Commissioner to till the vacancy can-ed by the resignation of Hon. George M. Landers, who was returned to Congress. This position he has held ever since, having been reappointed by Governor- Hubbard, Andres -. and Bigelow, discharging its duties with rare fidelity, and drawing to him as friends, all with whom he has had to do. Mr. Hyatt is a straight- forward Democrat : one of the old school, an opponent whom the Republican love to meet He is of a nervous temperament, active, and of positive character. Quick to resolve and act, le is a discriminating student of human nature. Strong and loyal in his friendships. With his de tion in a district ordinarily Republican, his popli larity and integrity had made to de To the new position to which he was this thing called. he has brought mature judgment, and the result of long experience in public and business inte
. Mr. Ilyatt was ro appointed Bank Commsles ouer by telveru r Willer, ou tio wib of Felavary and Longsod dis -1/7 \ se
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HON. ROBERT E. DEFOREST.
DISTRICT NO. 14
HON ROBERT E. DEFOREST, of Bridgeport. Democratie Senator from the Fourteenth Dis- triet, was born at Guilford, February 20, 1515. He received a liberal education, and in 1867 graduated from Yale College. Since graduating from college he has followed the legal profession, and is a leading member of the Fairfield County Bar. He has held the offices of Assistant AAttor- ney, and City Attorney of Bridgeport, was elected Mayor of the city in 1977, and served one year, and was Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for
Fairfield County, for three years. In Issl he represented Bridgeport in the House of Repre- sentatives, David M. Reed being his colleague. and was Chairman of the Committee on Fisher. ies, which had before it the very important Oyster Steam Dredging Bill. Last year he was Senate Chairman of the Committeeon the Sale of Lands. This year he is Chairman of the Committee on Roads and Bridges, Judge DeForest is very popular in his District, and was elected in the fall of 1552 by a large majority.
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HON. SMITH P. GLOVER.
DISTRICT NO. 15.
HON. SMITH PEEK GLOVER. Senator from the Fifteenth District, is a resident of Newtown. where he was born on August 16, 1837, his pres- ent age being forty-six years. During his life he has been engaged in mercantile pursuits and has been very successful. In 1572 he was elected State Senator from the Eleventh District, in which Newtown was at that time included, and served
as Chairman of the Committee on the Sale of Lands. He is a Republican, and succeeds Hon. William N. Northrop, Democrat. At this session of the Senate he is Chairman of the Committee on Finance and of the Committee on Elections. Before the former committee there were many important measures.
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HON. CLARK E. BARROWS.
DISTRICT NO. 16.
HON. CLARK E. BARRows of Eastford, Repub- Hran Senator from the Sixteenth District, was a member of the House of Representatives in 1879, when he served npon the Joint Standing Committee on State Prison and also upon the Special Committee to Investigate the Manage- ment of the Prison. The inquiry resulted in a rad- ical change in the management ; a change that has added much to the reputation of the State. The present is the second year of his term as a Sena- tor. Last year as Chairman of the Committee on Temperance he did good work and his eseen- tive ability materially contributed to the di- patch of business brought before his associates and himself. He was also Chairman of the Special Committee on Woman Suffrage. At this session he is Chairman of the Joint Standing Committee on Cities and Boroughs. Senator Barrows was born in Eastford, Conn., Sept. 7. 1843, a descendant, in the fifth generation only. of one of the Pilgrim families that landed ut
Plymouth. The Barrowses have been exceed- ingly long lived. The Senator's grandfather died last winter at the advanced age of ?s. The Senator's education was obtained from the com- mon schools and the Dudley academy in Ma --- achusetts. He is Junior Member of the Firm of J. D. Barrows & Son, Manufacturers of Leather. and has been engaged in business since 1-04, and since 1565 he has been School Visitor in the town. and hold the office of Collector and other minor positions. He is now a member of the Board of Trustees of the Connectiont Hospital for the Insane nt Middletown. His father was a men- ber of the House in 1552 and 1-59, and a Som- tor in Isty IN70. Mr. Barrow- is a gentleman of cordial manner- und cay schliess, and his experience in legislative matters has both of great value in the Senate. Ilis majority In the new Sixteenth District was 778, an evidence of his great popularity
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HON. THOMAS G. CLARKE.
DISTRCIT NO 17
HON. THOMAS G. CLARKE of Canterbury, who represents the Seventeenth District in the Senate is a Republican and was born in Franklin, seventy- three years ago. He pursued an advanced course of study and entered the East Windsor Theolog- ical Seminary, from which he graduated in 1541. This Seminary is now the Hartford Theological Seminary and has in its faculty as professor emer- itus, Dr. Thompson, to whom Senator Clarke recited in Hebrew. But the most noted profes- bor in the Senator's time was Dr. Tyler who was the great doctrinal antagonist of Dr. Taylor, the New Haven theologian. Elderly people will remember distinctly the great Tyler Taylor controversy. The doctor wrote many controver sial essays upon theological questions, including the question of total depravity. After gradua tion Senator Clarke took charge of the church in 10
the town of Scotland and did much successful work. He afterward preached in many pulpits throughout the State, his sermon- being charme- terized by a stern adherence to the true the- ology. Continuance in the active duties of his profession as a minister was presented by ill- health and the death of his brother who had been selected to take charge of the homestead farm. In these contingencies be telt it like does to withdraw from a pursuit which he had ein braced with so much enthusiasm und to stered his father is a successful farmer. Since then the has been prominent in Canterbury besthogy relig ous and secular life. For twenty the vers he has been Superintendent of the Sunday school. a position he still occupies, rend is not active cell cor of the church. He has been dele hogy am Acting School Visitor and has held seller jen
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tions of trust. As a descendant of the Puritans. the Senator has retained mueh of their noble character. During the bitter anti-slavery contest he was staunch and outspoken; never a com- promiser with evil. Indeed it was in Canterbury, in the very house in which he now lives, that Prudence Crandall kept a school for colored children, and even in the God-fearing State of Connectient, was persecuted therefor. He re- members that it was once seriously debated at a meeting of the ecclesiastical society connected with the congregational church whether it were advisable to permit Miss Crandall to seat hier scholars in the prominent pews. It had been the custom to give them the worst seats, behind the doors, where nobody cared to sit, and there was a strong movement to keep them there. The Senator's father was a staunch friend of the race and advocated their canse, whereupon a lawyer sneeringly retorted that, with all his ardor for the colored children, Mr. Clarke would not permit one of them to sit with his family. This was supposed to be particularly incisive because Mr. Clarke had an exceedingly attractive dangliter. " I do not say that I wonkl," replied Mr. Clarke, " but he may come 'and sit beside me." There was no further controversy. Senator Clarke and
his father were the first signers of the temper- ance pledge in Canterbury. They encountered much opposition, and when they refused to use rum as an auxiliary to haying it was predicted that they would be unable to harvest their crop. This woful prediction, owing to the determined character of the Clarkes, was not fulfilled. They were never of the temporizing class. " He will join the movement when it becomes popular," said of a lawyer's attitude to the temperance question, could never be said of them. They were abolitionists and temperance reformers when both issues were much the reverse of pop- ular. Senator Clarke's first wife was a niece of Andrew T. Judson, one of the earliest Judges of the United States Court for the District of Connecticut. He tried the celebrated Armisted negro case, and achieved a wide reputation as a jurist. The New York District Judges called him in frequently to assist them in elearing the docket.
Senator Clarke represented Canterbury in the House last year and was an efficient member of the Committee on Fisheries. This year as a Senator he is Chairman of the Committee on Forfeited Rights and of the Committee on New Counties and County Seats.
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HON. LORRIN A. COOKE.
DISTRICT NO. 18.
HON. LORRIN ALANSON COOKE, of Barkhamsted, Republican Senator from the Eighteenth Dis- triet, was first chosen a member of the Senate in 1551, and at the Session of 1552 served as Chairman of the Committee on Education. When the new apportionment of Senatorial Dis- triets went into force, in November, 1552, Mr. Cooke was re-elected Senator from the Eighteenth District, for the regular term of two years. Last year he was again Chairman of the Committee on Education and did good service. He was born at New Marlboro, Mass., April 6. 1-31. and received a common school and academic educa- tion. For several years he was engaged in farm- ing and for twelve years in teaching, but for the past fourteen years he has been interested in
manufacturing, holding at present the position of general agent, and also that of Secretary and Treasurer of the Eagle Seythe Company of Riverton. He was a Junior Member of the House of Representatives in 1-36, representing the town of Colebrook, and has held the several offices of Postmaster at Riverton, Chairman of the Board of Selvommen, and Acting School Visitor. He was one of four who refused to bendl the knee to Bad, and instead of voting for James Dixon for U. S. Senator, cast their ballot- every time for Gillette, the abolitionists and date. Senator Cooke is President part of the per- ate and Chairman of the Committee of Filter tion and of the Committee of Engrossed Bills
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HON. MILO B. RICHARDSON.
DISTRICT NO. 19.
Hox. Mno B. RICHARDSON, of Lime Rock, in the town of Salisbury, Democratic Senator from the Nineteenth District, was re-elected Senator at the November elections. At the session of 1882 he was Chairman of the Committee on Sale of Lands, and last year of the Committee on New Towns and Probate Districts, and a mem- ber of the Committee on Exeentive Appoint ments, which positions he retains this year. He was born at Lime Rock, February 13, 1849, and was educated principally at the Rocky Dell Institute in his native village, under the charge of Mr. J. H. Hurtburt. For a short time also he attended the Edwards Place School at Stock bridge, Mars. Since his twenty-first year he has been engaged in the management of important interests of the Barnum Richardson Company and other corporations. He is at present a
Director and Assistant Treasurer of the former concern and a Director in many other corpora tions, engaged in the mining and manufacture of iron in Connectiont and other States. In the spring of 1972, when only twenty-three years of age, he was nominated on the Democratic State Ticket for Treasurer, with Richard D. Hubbard. In Ihit he was chosen a Representative from Salisbury by the largest majority ever given in that town. The same year he was appointed an aid on the staff of Governor Charles R Ingersoll, with the rank of Colonel. Since 1575 he has been an netive and influential member of the Democratie State Central Committee Richardson is a son of Leonard Richardben And grandson of Milo Barnum The latter was lwn at Dover, Dutchess County, N. Y. July 10 1700, and removed to Lime Rock in 1990 ha
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few years he acquired a liberal property and founded the great house with which his name is still connected, the Barnum-Richardson Company. IIe died May 10, 1860. Leonard Richardson, the father of Senator Richardson, was born at Willsborough, Essex County, N. Y., September 10, 1808. His ancestors emigrated from Scot- land to Quebec about 1775, whence they removed to Willsborough. While Leonard was quite young his parents emigrated to Sharon, Conn. In 1825 he engaged as a clerk in the store of Milo Barnum, at Lime Rock. April 16, 1832, he married Lucy Ann, daughter of Inis employer, by whom he had three children, Milo Barnum, James
Leonard, and Caroline Barnum. In 1830, in conjunction with his father-in-law, with whom he had become associated in business, he built a fom dry for re-melting pig-iron, and in a few years William H., son of Milo Barnum, was taken into the firur. The business prospered greatly, and became the foundation of the great corpora- tion which now controls the entire Salisbury iron interest. Besides the manufacture of pig-iron, the house is largely interested in the manufacture of car wheels at Lime Rock, Jersey City, and Chicago, and of cars at Huntington, West Virginia.
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HON. OWEN B. KING.
DISTRICT NO 20.
HON. OWEN BROWN KING, of Watertown. Democratie Senator from the Twentieth District. was born in Hudson, Ohio, Angust 10. 1-17. He is a nephew of John Brown, who gave his life at Harper's Ferry in behalf of freedom for the colored race. Senator King's education was acquired in a Log Cabin School house, and at the age of eleven years his course of study termi- nated, and he was placed in a store. At the age of sixteen he was engaged as head clerk in a large dry-goods store in his native town, and from that time his career has been highly successful. He remained at Hudson until 1549, when he was called by Sevill & Buckingham to Connectiont. to take charge, us Assistant Overseer, of their factory at Watertown. When the corporation now known as the Scovill Manufacturing Com- pany, of Waterbury, was formed, Senator King
was made foreman, and continued in that capacity until 1557. In that year he assumed a position as salesman with the Wheeler & Wilson Manu facturing Company, and remained with them until 1:05. He then returned to Watertown to settle for life. He soon saw the necessity for some kind of stimulus in the way of improve ments in the town, and was instrumental in build ing the Warren House, a fine hotel and popular summer resort, which cost Slagoon. He was also one of the chief mover- in the Watertown & Waterbury Railroad project, and processed the charter for the road. He was elected president of the company and took entire charge of the construction of the road, and purchased most of it- supplies. Some thue ago he related the presidency, but still retains his interest in and a director of the company. In other restless
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Senator King is largely interested. He has been for thirteen years one of the trustees of the New England Agricultural Society, and is a vice- president in both the State and County Societies. He assisted in procuring the State appropriation of $200 to County Agricultural Societies and $100 to Local Societies, and procured the act of incorporation of the Watertown Agricultural and Horse Association, of which he was the first vice- president, and in the second year was elected executive officer, a position which he has held for. thirteen years. In 1869 Mr. King was elected State Senator from the Sixteenth District, and
has held besides many public offices. In 1856 he was a member of the Waterbury Common Council, and was one of the committee which built the first reservoirs for the protection of the city against fire. He was once elected City Sheriff of Waterbury, but served only for a short time. From 1879 to 1882 he was a Justice of the Peace in Watertown. For the past sixteen years he has been engaged in breeding fancy Devon cattle and working oxen. At the session last year Senator King was Chairman of the Committee on Manual and Roll, and occupies the same position this year.
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