USA > Connecticut > Representative men of Connecticut, 1861-1894 > Part 12
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year, Gen. Winfield S. Hancock, and the choice was a deserved recognition of his high ability and distinguished services in the party councils during many previous campaigns, notably in that of 1876, when he labored with indefatigable zeal in the interests of the Hon. Samuel J. Tilden, whose warin friend he remained through life. Mr. Barnum was one of those who believed Mr. Tilden should accept a renomination as a presidential candidate in 1880, and personally urged him to do so. When General Hancock was selected he gave him his enthu- siastic support, and, being honored with the fullest confidence of that brilliant soldier, con- ducted the campaign of 1880 in his interests with unwearying effort and consininate skill. In 1884 he was again chairman of the National Democratic committee, and as such conducted the campaign which resulted in the election of the Hon. Grover Cleveland to the presidency. Much against his will, he remained chairman of the committee during the campaign of 1888, and up to the time of his death, having served in such position continuously for nearly thirteen years.
Senator Barnum possessed an acute intellect and great shrewdness of perception. He read inen as if they were open books, and was rarely at fault in his estimates of character. This was conclusively shown in his selection of his lieutenants, all of whom were particularly well endowed for the duties they were called upon to perform. As an organizer and executive he possessed rare powers and had a wide repute. It has been said of him that " as a politician he was more abused than any member of the Democratic party, simply for the reason that he could not be managed." He was Jacksonian in his ideas and methods, and an indication of the character of the man is found in his famous epigrammatic saying, "I never give up the fight before the battle is begun"-an expression which has alinost attained to the dignity of a proverb. There was a rugged and honest independence in his character which was based upon a noble inanhood. He was one of the inost active and industrious of men. It is more than probable that his death was the result of overwork during the great campaigns he personally directed. There was nothing of the self-seeking politician in the man, as was clearly shown after the great party victory of 1884. Satisfied that the Democracy was in power he made no demands and had no favorites to present for appointment or preferment. The labor performed by Mr. Barnum in connection with politics was most exacting and onerous, but he was never known to shirk a duty. His travelling alone involved a strain which made heavy demands upon his endurance. The conduct of the business interests of which he was the owner or directing head, likewise inade heavy demands upon his time and attention, but he seemed adequate to the discharge of every duty, and inet every requirement. Few inen surpassed him in his appreciation of home and love for his family and the delights of the domestic circle.
Mr. Barnumn was prostrated by a serious illness in 1888, and although he rallied from it, he did not again regain his hold upon health. Nevertheless, he did not take to his bed until about four days before his death, which occurred on April 30, 1889. He died surrounded by his family and friends. In the neighborhood of his home his death was regarded as a personal bereavement by all, and there was not a house in the village without its badge of mourning on the day of his funeral. In conformity with Mr. Barnum's manner of life, and in harmony with the wishes of the family, the funeral services were conducted without ostentation. No sermon was preached nor eulogy pronounced. The attendance of from 1200 to 1500 lifelong friends and business and political associates from all sections of the country spoke louder than words. It was a sermon in itself, and was a better tribute to the memory of the departed one than the most eloquent sermon or flowery eulogy would have been. Throughout the whole country his death was noted as that of an able American statesinan. The New York Herald, commenting editorially upon it in the issue of May Ist, said: "In the death of
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William H. Barmm, yesterday, the Democratic party loses one of its ablest fighters. His sagacity, experience and nerve will be missed in the battles that are to come." Among the tributes to his memory that may be quoted was that of his friend, Ex-President Cleveland, who was profoundly tonchied by the intelligence of his death, and said: "Mr. Barnum was the most 1111selfish man I ever knew. He gave liberally of his time and money for the benefit of tlic Democratic party, and never used his position as chairman of the national committee to advance the fortines of himself or his political friends."
A few descriptive sentences are quoted from tributes of numerous papers : "Even as a boy he was a model for a business man of the old Yankee type-that type which has pushed its fortunes wherever it could find place for them, without regard to what the work to be done was." "He was a remarkable specimen of the self-made business inan, a long-headed organizer, a keen judge of men, an untiring worker." "He had also held a seat in the Senate, where he won the esteem of his colleagues by unfailing courtesy and industry, and a broad and intelligent grasp of public affairs." "Although a prominent Democrat, he did not agree with inany of the leaders in his party in the policy of 'tariff for revenue only.' He was not . a Free Trader in any sense, but held to the Republican idea that American manufactures should be encouraged by such a tariff as would afford them protection against the encroach- mients of goods made by pauper labor in foreign countries. And yet his endeavors for the success of the Democratic party at the polls were inost vigorous."
The resolutions passed by the Democratic National Committee, besides expressing pro- found loss, personally and as a party, contained the following estimate of Mr. Barnum's character: "His impartiality, tirefess energy, liberality, sound judgment, rare knowledge of inen, and acute penetration into the causes of political results, marked him as one of the inost competent, as well as most devoted, of party managers. To his fidelity to official duty, the people of the State of Connecticut and of the country, particularly those who were his colleagues in Congress, unanimously bear witness. Respecting his great merits as a private citizen and man of affairs, there is universal concurrence among a wide circle of associates and friends, including many to whom his business enterprises furnished employment."
Said one who knew him well, "Though not a professing Christian, he came nearer to the practice of Christian virtues in all his relations with his fellow men than 1110st people who claim to be guided by the teachings of the Gospel. In his family relations he was truly a model husband and father. Though always overburdened with the cares of his business, he never brought them into the family circle; there was never a place for them there ; he entered deeply into the hearts and affections of his wife and children; never was there a more loving and devoted family ; it was a model family, about it has been shed the holiest and sweetest influences; he was always in his home so kind and gentle, so firm and yet so indulgent ; he had the love and respect of his children as fully as a father could."
Mr. Barnum was married in Christ Church, Hartford, on Dec. 7, 1847, to Charlotte Ann, daughter of Charles Burrall. Mrs. Barnum, with two sons and two daughters, still sur- vives. Charles W. Barnum, the elder son, succeeded to the management of the Salisbury iron business and resides at Lime Rock; the other son, William M. Barnum, is a member of the law firm of Simpson, Thacher & Barnum of New York City; one of the daughters is the wife of Rev. Howard S. Clapp.
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EWELL, MARSHALL, who was thrice governor of the commonwealth, subse- quently envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to Russia, and still later postmaster-general of the United States, was born at Winchester, N. H., on Oct. 20, 1825, and died at Hartford, Conn., on Feb. 10, 1883.
He was descended in the seventh generation from Thomas Jewell, a native of England, who was one of the early emigrants to New England, and who, in 1639, settled at Wollaston, near Quincy, Mass., where he had obtained a grant of land. Until the present century the ancestors of Mr. Jewell followed farming as their sole occupation, but his father, Pliny Jewell, a native of New Hampshire, and at one time an active Whig politician, and member of the legislature of that state, was not only a farmer but also a practical tanner. Pliny Jewell gave up farining in 1845 and removed to Hartford, Conn., and there established a successful business as a tanner and manufacturer of leather belting, in which he continued until his death, a few years later. Marshall Jewell was one of five sons. His elder brother, Hon. Harvey Jewell, LL.D., who died in 1881, was a lawyer of distinguished ability, who was at one time a candidate for the office of governor of Massachusetts, and later in life a judge of the court of commissioners of Alabama Claims. His three other brothers, Pliny, Lyman and Charles, also engaged in business and achieved wealth and distinction in their calling.
The subject of this sketch was brought up on a farm but was taught the trade of tanning by his father. He was not yet of age when, becoming interested in electricity, he went to Boston, and there inade a study of it particularly in its application to telegraphy, then in its infancy. In 1847 he went to Rochester, N. Y., where he mastered practical telegraphy, at which he worked for a short time, first in the city namned and afterwards at Akron, Ohio, Columbus, Tenn., and Jackson, Miss. In 1848, when but twenty-three years of age, he superintended the construction of telegraph lines between Louisville and New Orleans, being thus occupied nearly a year. In 1849 he was called to Boston, Mass., and was appointed general superintendent of the New York and Boston telegraph line. Although practically certain of a distinguished future in connection with the development of telegraphy he quietly gave it up at the request of his father, whose business had grown to such a degree that he needed the assistance of his son. A few years later the elder Jewell died, and the business was re-organized under the firm name of Pliny Jewell & Sons. Mr. Jewell, who was now the head of the firm, rapidly developed what may truly be called a remarkable talent for business. Becoming impressed by the belief that the tanning industry was being conducted according to old fashioned methods, which might be improved by a knowledge of the methods followed in other countries, he went abroad in 1859, and devoted several months to a careful study of the trade at the principal points where it is carried on in Great Britain and France. Becoming convinced that there was much to be learned in this way he repeated his visit in the following year, and in 1865 made a third visit, extending his journey and investigations on this last occasion to parts of Asia and Africa. Under the methods- commercial, technical and scientific- employed by Mr. Jewell, the business which he directed became one of the most flourishing of its kind in the world and made him a very rich man.
Mr. Jewell first came prominently into politics in 1868, when he was the Republican candidate in his district for the State Senate. He had joined the Republican ranks among the first in the state, and was widely known as an intelligent and enthusiastic supporter of the party's principles, but until the year namned could not be induced to run for any office. Pressed by his friends to do so, he accepted, later in 1868, the Republican nomination for governor of Connecticut. Although unsuccessful as a candidate for both the offices mentioned,
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"he was defeated for governor by such a small majority that his party insisted upon again placing him at the liead of thic ticket in 1869 and lic was elected, serving from May in that year to May, 1870. Re-nominated in 1870 he was defeated by the Hon. James E. English, who had previously served two terms as governor- 1867 and 1868-and who was still very strong with all classes of the people, being a "War Democrat " and a man of high character. I11 1871 Mr. Jewell was for a third time placed at the head of the Republican ticket and was elected ; and being re-nominated at the closc of his second terin was re-elected and served a third, his entire administration as chief executive of the state covering the years 1869, 1871 and 1872.
Governor Jewell came to the executive chair with the most just and practical ideas regarding the public welfare, and he left a marked impression upon the legislation of the three years mentioned. Among the most noticeable reforms effected during his administration were a re-organization of the state militia, a change in the laws concerning the rights of married women to property and also in those of divorce. Some excellent laws bearing on the government of Yale College also were passed; biennial elections were authorized and the erection of a new state house at Hartford was begun. He left the capitol with the respect of the entire people, in wliose good esteem he remained until the day of his death.
In 1873 President Grant offered Governor Jewell the distinguished post of minister to the court of St. Petersburgh. He accepted this position, and although abroad only a year he rendered most important service to American interests. A practical business man and coming from a state renowned for the variety of its manufactures, he soon observed that a large part of the so-called American goods sold in Russia, such as sewing machines, scales, etc., etc., were only fraudulent imitations. Through his efforts a trade mark treaty was negotiated with the Russian government, by which the interests of American imanufacturers and of the Russian people were equally protected. While in Russia he continued his investigations upon tanning, and was richly rewarded by the discovery that the secret of the peculiar aroma of Russia leather lies in the use of birch bark in the process. This discovery was fraught with great benefit to the American tanners, who have since imanufactured Russia leather with perfect success.
Recalled from the Russian mission in 1874, he was at once appointed postmaster-general in the cabinet of President Grant. To this important department of the goverment placed under his charge he applied the rules of business, and boldly instituted the most sweeping reforms, conducting every proceeding with the' inflexible integrity so characteristic of him through life, and with an utter disregard for precedent or politicians. The notorious "straw- bids " and other corrupt practices in the states of Texas and Alabama were at once detected, and speedily abolished by him to a great extent through the famous "Star-route" trials. He also established fast mail trains and effected other salutary changes of great advantage to the people. Such a vigorous administration as he gave to the department proved excessively distasteful to the politicians of both parties, who were using it for their own purposes, and he incurred their active hostility. He was too honorable a man to abate his vigilance in the public service to please any one, and was ultimately sacrificed-a victim to his high principles. He resigned the postmaster-generalship in July, 1876. The people of Connecticut, justly proud of his splendid record in the public service, took occasion to show their apprecia- tion of it by giving him an enthusiastic public welcome upon his return to his home at Hartford.“
Once free from the cares of office, Mr. Jewell devoted himself to his private business, which had assumed great proportions, and to the discharge of his duties as director, trustee, etc., in a number of banks, corporations, and other institutions, charitable as well as co111-
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OF CONNECTICUT, 1861-1894.
mercial, where his services were always highly valued. In the presidential campaign of 1876 he warinly supported Mr. Hayes. In 1879, he was the candidate of his party for the United States senate, and was defeated by only two votes in the legislative caucus. Although urged to take an active part in the Republican national convention of 1880, he declined to do so, 110t desiring to oppose General Grant - then a candidate for a third term -for whom he still retained a personal regard, though not in favor of his renomination. Chosen chairman of the national Republican committee, he gave his splendid abilities without reserve to the conduct of the campaign which resulted in the election of Garfield and Arthur. His numerous speeches to large assemblages during this canvass, and the unremitting efforts lie inade to ensure the success of the nominees, seriously impaired his health, and when stricken with pneumonia in the latter part of the winter of 1882-83, he had not the strength to overcome the disease, and died, as previously stated.
In his death Connecticut lost one of her greatest and purest citizens. The grief of the people of the state, irrespective of party, was profound, and was shared by the lovers of ideal citizenship and official purity in all parts of the Union. General Jewell's whole career stamps him as a high-minded, patriotic and unusually valuable citizen and public officer. During the Civil War he resolutely supported the national government, giving freely of liis means to aid in fitting out troops, and for the support of the widows and orphans of those who fell in battle. His influence as a wealthy manufacturer was very great, and was always wielded in a manner helpful to the Union cause. He had always entertained a deep abhorrence
of slavery and rejoiced in its abolition. In religious convictions he was a Congregationalist, and attended the services of the church all his life, and contributed generously to its special work and charities. He was a man of fine nature and manners, and as a public speaker ranked with the ablest of his contemporaries. His character had a simplicity which made it striking, and at all times he was found on the side of right and justice. He was married in 1852 to Miss Esther Dickinson, daughter of William Dickinson, a highly respected resident of Newburg, N. Y. This estimable lady, with two daughters, survived him.
LARK, WILLIAM BRADDOCK, of Hartford, president of the Atna Insurance Company, was born in that city June 29, 1841.
Mr. Clark comes of a sturdy English stock, his first American ancestor being John Clark, who after a short residence in Newtown (now Cambridge), Mass., moved to Hartford in the company which settled there in 1635. His name appears upon the monument in the old cemetery in the rear of the Center Congre- gational Church as one of the early settlers of Hartford. He was a soldier in the famous Pequot fight of 1637, and in 1657 he transferred his residence to Farmnington, and he and his wife became members of the First Church in that town. His son, Matthew, had a son John, and Abel, son of the second John, was one of the seventy signers to an agreement dated September 3, 1775, to go to Boston for the relief of the besieged inhabitants, but was prevented by sickness from taking an active part in the war. A third John in the family line was a fariner, and served in the war of 1812 as corporal in Capt. Daniel Deming's company, and was the grandfather of the subject of this sketch.
His parents were Abel N. and Emily I. Clark. Mr. Clark, Sr., was for twenty years connected with the Hartford Courant, and was practically identified with its success during those years. His industry was a most prominent trait in his character, while his
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fidelity to every trust and duty, great and small, was equally conspicuous. His death occurred in 1867, several years before he had reached the half century mark, in the very prime of his manhood. A mention of him in the New York Times says: "In the death of Mr. Clark the editorial fraternity has lost one of its most useful members, and the city one of hier most active, upright business men. His loss will be deeply deplored by a large circle of friends, both at home and abroad."
After passing through the old North School, and Gallup's "College Green " school, instead of completing his education by a regular collegiate course, William B. Clark entered his father's newspaper office and remained there for a year. The life of an insurance underwriter possessed more attractions for him as a means of gaining both business eminence and pecuniary profit, than that offered by the newspaper publisher, and in 1857 he accepted a position as clerk in the Phoenix Insurance Company. In this field he found full oppor- tunity for the development of all his powers. Six years later, when he was in his twenty-third year, lie was elected to the responsible post of secretary of the company. This position he held until December Ist, 1867, when he was chosen assistant secretary of the Atna Insurance Company, and his subsequent life has been identified with the fortunes of that monarch in the insurance world. Mr. L. J. Hendee, one of the most successful insurance managers Hartford has ever known, was president, and under his guidance Mr. Clark became familiar with the vast detail connected with the Ætna's business, and was regarded by his chief with the utmost trust and confidence.
The decease of President Hendee, Sept. 4, 1888, necessitated a number of changes in the administration of the company. Mr. Jotham Goodnow, who had been secretary for a long series of years, was made president, and Mr. Clark, who received the unanimous vote of the board of directors, was advanced to the vice-presidency. His thirty years' training in subordinate capacities gave him a splendid equipment for the position, and, developing under its responsibilities, his course was characterized by ability and judgment of the high- est order. He soon became entitled to a place in the front rank of the insurance magnates of New England.
On the death of Mr. Goodnow, Nov. 19th, 1892, it was but a logical sequence of the past policy of the Atna that he was promoted to the presidency of the company. Not to avail themselves of his practical experience and tried executive ability would have been simply suicidal on the part of the directors. The selection was inost warinly cominended by the local papers and the insurance journals. Although next to the youngest president in point of years, in actual service with the Hartford companies, Mr. Clark is the senior insurance officer in the city.
In the course of its article at the time, the Insurance Post said: "His large work as vice-president is too well known to need any comment, and by a singular coincidence, his recent election to the presidency occurred just twenty-five years to a day froin the date that he entered the company's service. In token of such anniversary and his election, Mr. Clark was given an ovation in the company's dining-room, and was presented with a beautiful gift in cut glass and silver, from the entire office force assembled."
The Insurance Sun expressed the following opinion: "Williamn B. Clark, the able vice-president of the Ætna of Hartford, has been advanced to the presidency of that company on the death of the former chief executive, Mr. Goodnow. Mr. Clark has long earned this honor, as he has been the active and efficient inover of events in the company's management."
The Independent felt safe in making the prediction : "He is universally regarded as one of the ablest fire insurance underwriters in Hartford, and, as is well known, that city has
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some very able insurance inen. He has had much to do, particularly since his election as secretary in 1867, and vice-president in 1888, in the direction of affairs of the Ætna, familiarly called for the last fifty years 'The Old Atna'-it began business in 1819- and under his management it is perfectly safe to predict the continued prosperity of the company."
Greater things are expected by the Insurance Age in the future: "W. B. Clark, the new president, is a man who will well and ably fill the executive chair. He finds himself president of the largest fire insurance company in assets and capital in this country, its capital stock being $4,000,000, and its assets on Jan. 1, 1892, $10,659, 139. He will doubtless bring and keep the Ætna even more actively in the field than it has been for years."
Perhaps the most correct estimate of all (because given by one who knew him best) is the editorial opinion of the Hartford Courant: "The election of president of the Ætna (Fire) Insurance Company, recorded elsewhere, is an event not only of interest bit of importance to Hartford. The standing of all our fire companies is admirable, and they rank among the first in the country. And the Atna is the largest, not only of these, but of all in the United States. It stands there, with its more than ten millions of assets and its record of $70,000,000 already paid out for losses, as the great fire company of America. It is, therefore, of large importance to know who will manage it in the future, and there will be universal satisfaction that the directors have chosen William B. Clark as president and executive head of this great concern. Mr. Clark is a native of Hartford and has been just a quarter of a century with the Atna. He knows it and he knows its business. A man of character, decision, experience and judgment, he is especially qualified for the responsible duties that fall to him, and the Courant congratulates both the old company and new president."
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