USA > Connecticut > Representative citizens of Connecticut, biographical memorial > Part 31
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Mr. Baldwin married, May 1, 1870, Ellen J. Murphy, a native of Cole- brook, Connecticut, and a daughter of John and Augusta (Baxter) Murphy, of that place. Mr. Murphy's family was a prominent one in Rhode Island for many years, though he himself was born in New York State, a son of Eben and Lois (Manchester) Murphy. His maternal grandfather was dis- tinguished as a soldier in the Revolution. Mrs. Murphy was born in Cole- brook, and there she and her husband lived after their marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin were born three children, as follows: Jennie Augusta,
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now Mrs. H. Elbert Moffat, of Hartford; John Darwin, who married Miss Lena M. Smith, and now, with his wife and one child, Rollin Smith, resides in Winsted, Connecticut; and Grove Baxter, now a resident of Hartford, where he married Edna Belle Scoville, who has borne him two children, Richard Scoville and Alice Martha.
Mr. Baldwin was one of those forceful personalities whose initiative lead them normally to assume and to be accorded the place of leaders among their fellows. Perhaps the chief element in this kind of success is a kind of mental force which causes one to hold his ideas with enthusiasm. With Mr. Baldwin this was markedly the case. Not only were his ideas powerful intrinsically, but his maintenance of them was of a kind to impress those about him and cause them instinctively to defer their opinions to his. It was this quality which made him so quickly assume a position of influ- ence in all of the many places which he called his home, and in all of the many activities that he took up. Of course there was something else beneath this that insured, as it were, his success. No man, however powerful his personality, can retain his hold of success and influence without a founda- tion of those sterling virtues that are so conspicuous in the hardy stock from which Mr. Baldwin descended. Honesty, perseverence, self-control, must all be present or men will not brook to be led. But all these traits of character Mr. Baldwin possessed in full measure, as well as many other qualities of manner and bearing which, if not so fundamental, at least con- tributed potently to the general effect which his personality produced. Altogether he was a man of parts, well calculated to exert a potent influence upon all with whom he came in contact, and whose death was a serious loss to the great circle of friends and associates which he had formed, as well as to the community at large. He was buried with the Masonic ritual in Win- sted, Connecticut.
Lucius Charles humphrey
L UCIUS CHARLES HUMPHREY was a native of Pennsyl- vania, and a scion of an old and highly-honored family of that State, but practically his entire life was spent in Connec- ticut, where he became closely identified with the business interests of Unionville, Hartford county, and was otherwise prominent in the affairs of the community, so that his death on December 6, 1912, at the age of sixty-two years, was felt as a loss by the entire town. Mr. Humphrey's parents were Lucius and Emeline (Judd) Humphrey, of Orwell, a town of Bradford county, Penn- sylvania, where he was a successful farmer, but they were former residents of Connecticut.
Lucius Charles Humphrey was born in Orwell, Pennsylvania, July 7, 1850, and passed the early years of his childhood there on his father's farm, attending the local schools, and laying that fine foundation of health and wholesome living which may be gained from no other source as easily as from a youth spent in such rural environment and occupation. While he was a lad in "his teens" his father moved back to Connecticut, settling at first in Avon, where he purchased a farm. He did not remain a great while in that neighborhood, however, but went on to Unionville, where he resumed his agricultural occupations and the lad his schooling. Upon the completion of his studies, Lucius C. Humphrey found speedy employment in the town of Unionville with the Upson Nut Company, and remained associated with that firm for the remainder of his life. His mind was an alert one, and he quickly made himself master of the details of the business and gave such satisfaction to his employers with his work that his promotion was rapid, and he became in due course of time one of the foremen of the concern. In this position he remained twenty years, retiring therefrom only one year before his death.
He was also keenly interested in politics, both in a general sense and in the conduct of local public affairs. He was a staunch Republican in his prin- ciples and joined the town organization of that party, of which he grew to be a prominent and active member. He was register of voters for many years, up to the time of his death. He was given the Republican nomination for the State Legislature in the year 1882, and was duly elected to that body to represent the town of Farmington, serving thereon for one session, two years. One of the local matters in which Mr. Humphrey took a great interest was the fire department. From the organization of the Tunxis Fire Department, he was the foreman and served as such until his death, and gave devoted service to the interests of the company, working hard to ad- vance it in all ways possible. The department showed the appreciation that it felt by making him a very handsome gift of a silver loving cup in 1908. Mr. Humphrey was a very prominent figure in the social world, and a very active member of many clubs and organizations in the neighborhood. Among these may be mentioned the Masonic order and the Knights of
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Pythias, to the local lodges of both of which he belonged. His religious affiliations were with the Congregational church and he was a member for many years of the First Church of Christ of that denomination.
It was through his business associations that Mr. Humphrey first made the acquaintance of the young lady to whom he was afterwards married. The Upson Nut Company, with which he was connected for so many years, was originally founded by Dwight Langden, and afterwards passed into the control of Andrew Upson, who was president of the concern at the time Mr. Humphrey was foreman. Mr. Upson was the brother of Mrs. Langden and when that lady, after the death of her first husband, was married to Samuel Frisbee, the latter was made treasurer and secretary of the company, and held that position while Mr. Humphrey was connected with it. One of the daughters of Seth Upson, Emma A. Upson, was married to George H. Fuller, a prosperous farmer and wood-turner of Unionville, Connecticut, and a veteran of the Civil War in which he had distinguished himself as lieutenant in Company D, Sixteenth Regiment Connecticut Volunteer In- fantry. It was to a granddaughter of Seth Upson, Ella Georgia Fuller, and a daughter of George H. and Emma A. (Upson) Fuller, that Mr. Humphrey was married September 30, 1875. Mrs. Humphrey is a native of Unionville and has passed her entire life in that town. She survives her husband, together with two of their four children, who are also residents of Union- ville. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Humphrey were as follows: Harry D., who died as a young man of twenty-three years; Clayton W., who mar- ried Anna Pelitier, of Unionville; Lucius E., who married Georgia E. Taft, of Unionville; and Wilfred K., who died when but nineteen years of age.
Mr. Humphrey was a man of high ideals to which he adhered with an unusual degree of faithfulness in the conduct of his life, and might well be pointed out as a model of good citizenship. In all the relations of life he displayed those cardinal virtues that have come to be associated with the best type of New England character, an uncompromising idealism united with a most practical sense of worldly affairs. His success was of that quiet kind which integrity and just dealing with one's fellow men is sure to bring when coupled with ability such as his, a success of the permanent type which the years increase and render more secure because it rests on the firm foun- dation of the trust and confidence of the community. In his career as public servant he showed himself without any personal ambition and actuated with no desire other than to further the advantage of the community, and to strengthen his party wherever that did not conflict with the public weal. His private virtues were not less remarkable than his public, and the deep affection with which his family and intimate friends regarded him is the best tribute which can be paid to the strength and sincerity of his domestic in- stincts. He was the most devoted of husbands and parents, ever seeking the happiness of those about him, and the most faithful friend, winning by his charming personality a host of intimates who repaid his fidelity in like kind. The community at large has felt the wholesome and inspiriting effect of his example and it will be long before its members cease to miss the kindly and genial influence which surrounded him and bettered those with whom he came in contact.
Orbille hitchcock Platt
I N a time when political and governmental corruption has be- come a byword and the term politician a reproach it is re- freshing, indeed, to turn to the record of such a man as Sen- ator Orville Hitchcock Platt, of Connecticut, a record un- sullied by the smallest lapse in the faithful discharge of his high duties, by any indirectness or intrigue, or by the plausi- ble setting up of political expediency in the place of the pub- lic interest, a record marked by faithful service and faithful devotion to prin- ciple. Senator Platt was the scion of a very old and illustrious family which, even before its early advent in the country, was already prominent in the affairs of the Old World. As early as 1326 a Platt was accorded a coat-of- arms in England and several branches of the family received this mark of distinction between that time and the reign of Elizabeth. It is in America, however, that the name has won the brightest lustre where, ever since its founding here by Deacon Richard Platt prior to 1638, the men who have borne it have proved themselves of sturdy patriotism, holders of the beliefs and doers of the deeds that finally made this a free and independent Nation. Two of the Platts, one a direct ancestor of Senator Platt, were imprisoned by Governor Andros of New York on account of their sturdy independence, and his grandfather fought in the Revolutionary War, and was one of those to suffer on the terrible prison ships in New York harbor. The Platts as a general thing followed farming throughout their long residence in New England and the father of Senator Platt was engaged in this occupation all his life at Washington, Connecticut. He was a man of parts and in addition to his farming was active in the affairs of his community, serving as deputy sheriff of the county and judge of probate, and at times exhibiting the versa- tility of his talents by teaching school. He was married to Almyra Hitch- cock in 1817 and Orville Hitchcock Platt was the second son and child of this union.
Orville Hitchcock Platt was born July 19, 1827, in the town of Wash- ington, Connecticut. He received the training common to the sons of farm- ers in that day, namely, his winters spent in school and his summers at work on his father's acres. It was a hard life, but it bred a stalwart race. He first attended the local public schools, but later went to the academy in his home town, where he came in contact with a remarkable personality and one that was destined to have a strong and beneficent influence upon his own development. This personality was that of Frederick W. Gunn, the principal of the academy, from whom it derived the name of "The Gun- nery," and by which it has since been known far and wide. Frederick W. Gunn was a man of great mental strength and rare individuality. He was greatly beloved and honored by his pupils, and he did much to train them into the simple, straightforward manhood that was his ideal, and which he, himself, so well exemplified. Mr. Platt was at the impressionable age of thirteen when he first attended Mr. Gunn's school, which then was situated
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at Judea, Connecticut, and for a number of years thereafter came into the closest association with him both in the school and in his family life. Mr. Gunn was one of eight children, all of whom became prominently connected with the Abolitionist movement, so that his pupils diminished greatly in number and at one time were reduced to nine, all the children of Abolition- ists, so that he was forced to move his school to smaller quarters, locating on the site of the present "Gunnery." During this time Mr. Platt lived in the home of Mr. Gunn in the winter and after the second year of the school in its new location acted as an assistant instructor. Later Mr. Gunn was chosen principal of a large school in Towanda and persuaded Mr. Platt, to whom he was deeply attached, to accompany him as his assistant. These years of strong devotion to a character of such a splendid type were happy ones for the young man and valuable also, his character forming under these fortunate circumstances, for there are but few things that affect a young man's life more strongly than such a period of hero-worship if it be centered upon a worthy object. How strong were his feelings may be seen in the article penned by him for a memorial volume brought out in honor of Mr. Gunn shortly after his death, in which he states that, "He was more to me than a teacher; my love for him was the love one has for father, brother and friend." At length, however, this ideal association had to be broken to a large extent, Mr. Platt's choice of a profession being the law, which claimed the major part of his time and energies. He was twenty years of age when he took up reading law in the office of Hon. Gideon H. Hollister, of Litchfield, Connecticut, profiting greatly under the preceptorship of this able attorney. He was admitted to the bar in Litchfield county, and after- wards in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, returning to the town of Towanda, where he began his active practice in the office of Hon. Ulysses Mercur, afterwards of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. In 1851 he returned to Connecticut and established himself in the practice of his profession at Meriden, which also was his legal residence, notwithstanding that he always looked upon Washington as one of his homes.
The age was a stirring one in American affairs upon which Mr. Platt's youth had fallen, and less sensitive spirits than his were strongly affected by the problems that demanded solution of that generation. Mr. Platt felt keenly the momentous character of these problems and how greatly their solution might affect the future of the country, and with the generous ardor of youth he threw himself into the work of solution. His first direct effort in this direction was shortly after his coming to Meriden, when he became associate editor of "The Whig," a local paper given to the candid discussion of public issues and which continued for a period of some three years an in- fluence in the community. These three years were of value to Mr. Platt as a training in the art of expression and in bringing him into contact with men of all kinds and the world of affairs. He did not abandon his practice of the law during this time, however, although at first this was no arduous task, the difficulties that usually attach to the working up of a legal practice by no means sparing him. He was gradually gaining a name as a young man of originality and parts, however, and in 1853 found himself a candidate for judge of probate and was duly elected, serving three years. Work and re-
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sponsibilities began to pile up now, but he proved himself amply capable of taking care of them and his reputation grew both in degree and extension. In 1855 he received the appointment to the clerkship of the Connecticut State Senate and served in that capacity. The great crisis in politics which was finally to become sectional and express itself in the terrible Civil War was now becoming definite and the year 1858 was marked by the forma- tion of the Republican party, destined to play so great a part in the fortunes of the country. Mr. Platt was one of the original members of the new politi- cal birth, and from that time until his death continued a staunch supporter of its principles and policies. His political career now took a great step for- ward, and with his election to the office of Secretary of State for Connecti- cut, he became a factor to be reckoned with in public affairs. He was already recognized at this early day as a man who could not be bought or influenced by any personal consideration in the discharge of his public duties, and this firm honor, a quality in high demand with new parties, quite as much as his marked ability, won him his election as State Senator in 1861. He served during that term and in 1864 was elected to the State Assembly. In this body he was made chairman of the judiciary committee, a post that carried with it the acknowledged leadership of the party in the House. It was a time of the gravest responsibilities, with the Civil War at its height and the most violent feelings existing between, not only the parties, but even be- tween the factions of the same. But it was no common leader that the Republican members of the Connecticut House had in this young man for whom they conceived an increasing respect. One interesting contest at this time in which Mr. Platt took a decisive part was that connected with the proposition that the soldiers in the field be permitted to vote. A constitu- tional amendment was required for this, which in its turn required a two- thirds vote in the House. After a close debate the vote was taken and re- sulted in the two-thirds necessary for affirmation, but an obstacle still stood in their way. A number of representatives were absent and the speaker ruled that a two-thirds vote of those present was not sufficient, the constitu- tional rule applying to the whole House in his contention. From this Mr. Platt appealed and eventually won his point and that of his party, and opened the way to casting the ballot for the soldiers engaged in actively defending their State and the Union. Mr. Platt next held an important public office in 1869, when he was again elected to the Assembly and then chosen Speaker of the House. In this new capacity he displayed the qual- ities that had already placed him so high in the regard of his fellows, and under his firm and skillful guidance the Legislature transacted a very large volume of important business in a manner greatly to the advantage of the community at large. His party associates were fully aware of how strong a candidate Mr. Platt would make for wellnigh any office and were keenly alive to the desirability of his continuance in politics, but at the close of this term in the Legislature he found it desirable to withdraw temporarily.
During the years that had passed he had given a very large percentage of his time to the public business and that in spite of the fact that his own legal practice was growing greatly in proportions. His reputation as a lawyer had of course some effect upon the course of his political career, but
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perhaps the converse was even more true that his political career was a large factor in the increase of the practice. However this may be, the latter had developed so much that it was necessary to give it his undivided attention for a time and he was obliged to disregard the strong pressure brought to bear upon him and retired into private life. Of course the life of a prominent lawyer is in any case but semi-private and Mr. Platt continued to come into contact with affairs to a certain extent. A great deal of very important litigation was entrusted to him at this epoch and the masterly manner in which he handled it but added fresh laurels to his name. He possessed many of the qualities associated with the ideal jurist, a clear and concise reason that enabled him to pick out the essential fact from amidst a mass of detail, great erudition in his subject and the capacity for long and close study which he bestowed on every case. For eight years he continued to give his undivided attention to his practice and established himself as one of the leaders of the State bar, but in 1877 he accepted the appointment of State's Attorney for New Haven county and thus once more entered the stormy arena of politics and public affairs. This office was but the entering wedge, as it were, for two years later he was launched into the very thick of the matter by his election to the United States Senate. A Republican himself he succeeded Senator W. H. Barnum, a Democrat, but from that time on- ward until his death he continued to hold this high office, his term being renewed at each successive election. There have been few periods in which the elements in national life struggling for control have been more varied and complex than during our recent political era, few periods in which sel- fish strife and interested motives have played a greater part in the conduct of affairs. Among these conflicting cross currents of purpose and action, the figure of Mr. Platt, actuated by no thought of self but the most imper- sonal desire to witness the right, rose conspicuously, winning for itself the spontaneous admiration of all worthy men whether political friends or opponents. Mr. Platt spoke truly when he said during the course of a speech made at a reception in his honor shortly after his first election as Senator: "That which is right is priceless to me; and all the campaigns and achieve- ments of the Republican party in which I have participated I have never steered a middle course, but have done what I thought right."
As time went on Senator Platt grew to hold a more and more prominent place in the deliberations of the august body of which he was a member, and his voice to gain greater and greater weight with his confreres. This is well shown by the very prominent part that he played in the important legis- lation of the period and the various committees upon which he served. It would be impossible to treat adequately the part played by him in the event- ful years comprised in the last two decades of the century just passed and the opening of the present one, for to do so would necessitate a resumé of the legislation enacted in that period and the compass of a large volume. But the mere enumeration of the more important issues in the decision of which he was active will show him to have been beyond question one of the most conspicuous figures of that epoch. In all such issues none ever questioned his integrity of motive and his judgment was equally unquestioned. One of the first of these great issues was that of international copyright (to
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establish the right to brain property). A long and vigorous campaign had been waged by a group of right-minded men to promote this obviously righteous measure, yet so great was the opposition from certain corrupt sources and so great the indifference on the part of most men that their efforts had seemed almost unavailing. The question, however, was very prominent in Congress and the final passage of a bill making possible the copyright bill, which gives the exclusive right of any author in his literary work, was due in a very large measure to his unwearied and able efforts. The patent question, adequate protection of our wards, the Indians, cur- rency and financial matters, the protection of American industries by tariff regulations, were also among the issues upon which he spoke with no uncer- tain voice and in which his influence was felt most potently. One of the greatest services rendered by him to the country, however, was through his action in the tangled problems arising out of our war with Spain and in- volving the matter of our right to acquire territory and our attitude towards colonies and dependent peoples. Especially was his attitude towards Cuba notable for its courage and disinterestedness and culminated in the cele- brated Platt amendment, which became a law on the second of March, 1901, and provided the basis of the future relations of this country and the youth- ful republic that our efforts had created. His services as chairman of the committee on Cuban relations were followed by others of a no less notable kind. In the issue between labor and capital that was disturbing the coun- try, and, indeed, still is, he played an important part and as chairman of the judiciary committee in the Fifty-eighth Congress, the value of his work can hardly be overestimated. This Congress had a comparatively brief term, but the business before it was enormous in volume and extremely vital in character, and this fact, together with the very serious apprehension and anxiety felt by Senator Platt concerning the radical tendencies then making themselves felt, exercised a deteriorating effect upon his health from which he never entirely recovered. The great mental concentration and the gen- eral demands made upon his energies by this session used up his nerve force too rapidly and this effect was brought to a climax by the impeachment of Judge Swayne, of Florida, by the House of Representatives. Already with more work on their hands than they could conveniently dispose of, the mem- bers of the Senate were obliged to sit as a high court upon the impeachment proceedings. Senator Frye, the president pro tempore, was ill at the time and unable to preside at the trial and this most trying duty devolved upon the shoulders of Mr. Platt as chairman of the judiciary committee. The latter might with equal reason have pleaded the same excuse, but his ex- ceedingly keen sense of duty made him go through with the ordeal, although throughout the time he was battling with the sheer force of his will with a growing malady. He was able to complete his task, however, and further- more to finish his share of the business which wellnigh crushed him and his colleagues before the inauguration of the new administration on March 4.
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