USA > Connecticut > Representative men of Connecticut, 1861-1894 > Part 27
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72
168
REPRESENTATIVE MEN
Hoyt, and especially to hold him in high estimation as a public speaker. Few men in the state of Connecticut have stood as high in this regard as Mr. Hoyt, and he gained the wide reputation he enjoyed almost from the outset of his professional career. His platform addresses on all publie occasions were finished and elegant in style. When the town of Greenwieli dedicated its handsome monument to its loyal sons who took part in the Civil War, and upheld the banner of the republic on the land and one the sea, Colonel Hoyt was chosen president of the day at the dedicatory services, and delivered an address which, for the carnest patriotism that pervades it, for the vigor of its thought, and the graceful language in which it was expressed, deserves a permanent place in the public records. A single extract from this masterly address is all our space will allow. Having stated at the outset that "110 men in all history made nobler sacrifices, did braver deeds, or accomplished greater purposes than they, no cause ever existed which was higher or holier," he went on to say :
It has been said that the teachings of the founders of New England may be summed up in this short formula "Faith in God, faith in man, faith in works." This New England trinity of doctrines was the source of that inspiration which iuipelled the action of the patriots of the war of 1861. They had faith in God, believing that He intended this Republic to be the most enlightened, the most advanced, the freest and greatest nation of the earth. They had faith in man, that, under God, he possessed the ability and virtue to save such a nation when its existence was imperilled. They had faith, also, that ouly by the works of patriot- ismi and conscience, could that result be accomplished. This faith they had inherited from their fathers. It came to them as a birthright. They had drawn it in with their mothers' milk and breathed it in from the free air of the northern hills. They were the sons of the buried generations whose obedience to con- science had led them to fight for civil and religious liberty in England, and whose faith in God had brought them to the shores of the new world to lay amid dangers and privations the foundations of a nation dedi- cated to humanity and liberty. But for them the days of fighting had gone by. The wilderness had been subdued, independence had been gained for them by their fathers. They were bred to the arts of peace.
In 1886, Mr. Hoyt was elected as a representative from Greenwich to the Connecticut legislature, and occupied the leading position both upon the floor and in the committee room, being House chairman of the committee on the judiciary. He was returned to the House in 1887, and in that year was elected to preside over the deliberations of that body as its speaker. By his admirable discharge of the important duties of speaker of the House of Representatives during its session of 1887, he won marked distinction throughout the state. He was nominated as the candidate of the Republican party for speaker by more than the Republican majority. His speech upon taking the chair was printed in full in the journal of the House, and is a model of brevity and statesmanlike counsel. The people of the state of Connecticut had recently adopted a constitutional amendment providing, among other things, for biennial instead of annual sessions of the legislature, and a revision of the statutes, and Speaker Hoyt, while advising that the members should endeavor to make the session as short as possible, reminded them that they must give all needful consideration to the measures that would come before them, and that "the efficiency of a legislative body is not to be determined by the length or volume of its laws, but rather by its careful scrutiny of proposed measures and its wise rejection of such changes as are unnecessary." He coneluded with the following eloquent words :
We follow in the line of men who have done mnuch for Connecticut. Wise and vigorous minds have left their impress upon her legislative history. From the feeble settlements planted in the wilderness amid doubts and fears, but with faith in the sustaining hand of the Almighty - nurtured amid perils and priva- tions-strengthened and invigorated by the conflicts of their early years,-swept by the dark shadows of revolution and civil war, has arisen a commonwealth distinguished for its patriotism, its enterprise and vir- tue, rich in material wealth, but richer -infinitely richer- in the love and devotion of its children. Let us enter upon the performance of our duties with a deep appreciation of the worth and dignity of the state whose servants we are, so that when our labors are ended, we may feel that 110 step backward lias been taken, but that our every act lias conduced to its continued tranquility and prosperity.
------ ----
James Arehols
Mas:wchusetts Publishing Co. Everett, Mass
169
OF CONNECTICUT, 1861-1894.
Mr. Hoyt performed his duties as speaker with signal ability, and to the satisfaction of all parties. In every measure presented or discussed he manifested a lively interest, and, whether in the chair or on the floor, always commanded respect, and wielded an important influence in legislative affairs. The thanks of the House were tendered to him at the close of the session, on motion of Mr. Davis of Haddam, the gentleman who had been his unsuccessful competitor for election to the office of speaker. In proposing the vote, Mr. Davis warmly eulogized his faithfulness, firmness, courtesy and kindness, and his impartial conduct to business, purged of partisan feeling, which had so won over the minority of the House that all claimed him as their own-"Speaker of 110 party, but of the entire Honse of Representatives." Other members from both sides of the House joined in this tribute, and it was passed unanimously by a rising vote, and the cordial feeling of the whole body towards Mr. Hoyt was emphasized by the presentation to him of a beautiful silver service- not a very usual ceremony at the close of a legislative session.
His standing before the bar and the public in his native state was due entirely to the excellent use lie had made of his gifts and opportunities. They secured for him a numerous and profitable clientage, and his legal practice was therefore very extensive. He was trustee and attorney for the Greenwich Savings Bank, and a director in the Byram Land Improvement Company. He was also attorney for the Bell Haven Land Company and otlier large corpora- tions, and judge of the borough court of Greenwich. One element of his popularity which cannot be overrated was his uniform courtesy to all who approached him, his unvarying kind- ness and affability towards the humblest as well as the highest. This characteristic trait tied to him hosts of friends, who were unswerving in their attachment. An able debater, quick and effective at repartee, and entertaining in conversation, he was socially very popular. In the midst of a busy professional life, he was often called upon by his fellow-citizens of Greenwich to fill local positions of public trust, and, as a good citizen, lie was ever prompt and ready to respond to their call.
Colonel Hoyt married Miss Annie E. Wait, daughter of Hon. John T. Wait, whose biography and portrait appear in the preceding pages. Four interesting children were added to the family circle. Colonel Hoyt died April 7, 1894, sincerely mourned not only by his immediate friends, but also by those who had honored him in life throughout the state.
ICHOLS, JAMES, of Hartford, president of the National Fire Insurance Company, was born in Weston, Fairfield County, Conn., Dec. 25, 1830.
James Nichols, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, gained an honest living by tilling the soil, and was the head of a patriarchal family of twelve children. Of these, Isaac Nichols married Betsy Platt, and of their children the present James Nichols was the second.
Young Nichols alternated between the public schools as scholar or teacher and his father's farm till his twenty-first year. Having decided in early boyhood to become a lawyer, his evenings and holidays had been devoted to the study of his chosen profession for several years, and now he began a regular course under the tuition of Amos S. Treat. Mr. Nichols was admitted to the bar at Danbury in the spring of 1854, and the following April he located at Thompsonville, and commenced the practice of his profession. A few months later he was appointed assistant clerk of the Hartford County Superior Court, and transferred his residence to Hartford, where he has since remained. In 1861, he was elected judge of probate
170
REPRESENTATIVE MEN
in the Hartford district, whichi embraced the towns of Hartford, Wethersfield, Rocky Hill, West Hartford, Windsor Loeks, East Hartford, and Glastonbury. The position was one of great importance, requiring exceptional ability for the discharge of its duties, and Judge Nieliols won the admiration of all parties on account of the successful way in which the judicial work of the office was performed. He was the first Republican judge for twenty years, and after serving three years there was a political change and there has not been another judge from that party until the present one.
Though Mr. Nichols remained in the successful practice of his profession till 1867, for several years previously he had been much attracted by the possibilities there were in the field of fire insurance. This feeling grew into a desire to have a share in the development of this ever widening interest. Accepting a position as special agent and adjuster of the Merchants' Insurance Company of Hartford, he entered heartily into his new work, and such was his zeal that he was rapidly promoted by the board of directors. From the outset he manifested especial adaptability for the insurance business, and his legal training often proved an excellent hielp. On the death of Mr. E. Thomas Lobdell in 1869, Mr. Nichols was made secretary of the company, which under the able leadership of Mr. Mark Howard was a synonym for strength and good management. Strong as it was, the Merchants' Insur- ance Company was unable to recover from the unprecedented disaster at Chicago, and consequently surrendered its charter.
Taking the charter of a company which had been incorporated in 1869, Messrs. Howard and Nichols organized the National Fire Insurance Company in 1871, the foriner becoming president, while the latter was made secretary. Such was the confidence of the old stockolders, as well as the business men of the community at large in the integrity, and ability of the two inen, that $750,000 was subscribed in four days after the books were opened. With a capital of $500,000 the new company commeneed active business in December, 1871. Mr. How- ard's experience was invaluable and his name a tower of strength, but not long after his health began to fail and he took a six months' trip to Europe. It was during this time that the extensive fire in Boston occurred, causing a loss of about $170,000. A plain state- inent of the affairs of the company was made to the stockholders, and their confidence in the president and secretary was such that they paid in without hesitation $150,000 in cash, which at once placed the company on its feet, and dividends have been paid regularly ever since. Mr. Howard's health continued to grow worse, and though his counsel was invaluable, backed up as it was by such a long business experience, the laboring oar fell to the seere- tary. On the death of Mr. Howard in 1887, Mr. Nichols succeeded to the presidency, a promotion to which he was mnost fully entitled.
In September, 1893, the National Company occupied for the first time its elegant building on Pearl street. The Hartford Courant gave a full description of its appointments, and in the course of the article, after speaking in a complimentary inanner of Mr. How- ard's connection with the company, it said :
Judge James Nichols, who had been secretary of the National since its organization, was selected president when Mr. Howard died, and under his progressive policy the company has developed rapidly in strength and extent of business. The following comparisons will show some of the details of growth, and tell their own story of progressive management :
Assets
Jan. I, 1887. $1,969,907
Jan. I, 1893. $3,153,454
Increase. $1,183,547
Business .
1887.
I892.
Eastern
$239,396
$741,964
$502,568
Western
287,867
1,053,003
765,136
Pacific
41,993
217,549
175,556
$569,256
$2,012,516
$1,443,260
I7I
OF CONNECTICUT, 1861-1894.
During this period the National has re-insured the risks and taken the business of the Washington Fire & Marine of Boston, the Atlantic of Providence, the People's of New York, the Kenton of Kentucky, the Fireman's of Dayton, O., and the German Fire of Philadelphia.
The business of each department shows a great growth in the six years of President Nichols's mail- agement, increasing almost threefold in that period, and the National has not failed to pay every loss in full, and also to pay its stockholders regular dividends of Io per cent. a year.
President Nichols has become one of the veterans of fire insurance. He came to Hartford, a young lawyer, in 1854, and at first was assistant clerk of the county court, subsequently becoming a partner of the late Hon. Julius L. Strong. In 1862, and in 1864 and 1865, he was elected judge of probate for this district, and in 1870 he became secretary of the old Merchants' Fire Insurance Company. He has been connected with the National ever since its organization-twenty-two years ago. Bringing to it training and practice in the law, a large experience of men and affairs, deliberate judgment and shrewd foresight, lie has proved just the man to conduct the affairs of the company in these later and important years of its development, and its growth and stability are ample evidence of his executive ability.
Judge Nichols was very prominently brought before the fire underwriters of this country in connection with the famous Bennett Brothers' case in Syracuse, he being chairman of a committee consisting of himself, Richard D. Alliger, Esq., and Mr. Daniel C. Osman, who had the case in charge. In this case over $120,000 insurance was involved, twenty-three companies were interested, and over $350,000 loss was claimed by the assured. The property was located in the centre of a brick block, the upper stories of which were occupied for dwellings, and the fire consumed several stores and was attended with great danger to life as well as great destruction of property. The assured assigned his property to his creditors, among whom were sixty-three of the leading mercantile firms of New York, whose debts could only be collected from the insurance. These sixty-three creditors assumed an active part in the prosecution of the claim, using freely their influence as merchants and insurers to compel payment, signing individually a memorial to the companies interested urging the settlement of the claim, independent of the cominittee, and in many instances withdraw- ing their patronage from the companies interested. The assured also distributed circulars throughout the whole country abusing the committee and demanding that the policies of the the companies contesting the claim be refused by the insuring public.
Notwithstanding the great pressure brought upon the companies to settle the loss not one company yielded, but all firmly sustained the committee, and after a long and severely contested trial of thirty days' actual session in court, the case was won by the companies, a large amount of money saved, a villainous fraud exposed, and the perpetrators punished, one turning state's evidence, and living in poverty and shattered health the balance of his life ; another committing suicide by taking poison to escape a long incarceration in the prison to which he had been justly sentenced, and a third dying in an insane asylum, his mind broken and his reason shattered as a result of this terrible crime.
Judge Nichols and his able associates on the committee were greatly interested in the exposing of the outrageous fraud, and their persistent and well-directed efforts in behalf of the companies were rewarded by complete and deserved success. This case won for him a national reputation and stamped him and his coadjutors among the ablest men in the profession.
All of President Nichols's energies are not confined to the successful insurance company of which he is the head. He is vice-president of the Charter Oak National Bank, and is a director in the Phoenix Life Insurance Company, and a trustee of the Society for Savings, which is the largest corporation of the kind in the state. In political matters he has always acted with the Republican party, having joined that party at a very early age. His religious connections are with the Park Church of Hartford, of which he has been a member for many years. He has been a member of the Court of Common Council, and is a member of St. John's Lodge of Masons. The life of President Nichols has been one of
.
172
REPRESENTATIVE MEN
thorough success, and his career has been highily honorable throughout. For two score years he has lived in the city of Hartford, and he is held in high esteem by its citizens. His future carcer, judging by the past, is full of promise of greater usefulness.
James Nichols was married July 9, 1861, to Isabelle M., daugliter of Nathan Stark- weather of Hartford. Three children have been born to them, of whom Helen, now Mrs. H. A. Smith of Rochester, N. Y., is the only survivor.
BOIT, ROBERT, president of the New London Northern Railroad, was born in New London, April 26, 1830. At the time of his birth the country seemed to be in the throes of preparation for a race of inen who should make their mark in the councils of the nation, on the field of battle, as well as in various prominent places in civil life. A very brief list of the men who came upon the scene of action in the years 1830-31, would include President Chester A. Arthur, James G. Blaine, B. F. Tracy, and Jere M. L. Rusk in the first named year, and President James A. Garfield, Redfield Proctor, John W. Noble, Thomas L. James, J. C. New, Daniel Manning, members of the cabinet, while a long list of Union generals would be headed by the honored name of Philip Sheridan, and the array of men prominent in business, literature and fine arts could be enumerated by scores.
The Coit name is of Welsh origin. In common with all persons of the same name in Connecticut, Mr. Coit traces his descent from John Coit, one of the earliest pioneers of the state, who came from Gloucester, Mass., in 1650, and first settled in New London. From him by successive generations the line comes down to Joshua Coit. He was a graduate of Harvard College in the class of 1776, and, choosing the profession of law, he settled in New London. During the years from 1784 to 1793, he served alinost continuously as a member of the General Assembly, part of the time filling the speaker's chair. In the last named year he was elected to Congress, and was reelected regularly until his death in 1798. Robert Coit, son of Joshua, was born in 1785, and married Charlotte Coit, Oct. 15, 1821. He was a leading merchant of New London, and was president of the New London Savings Bank, and of the Union Bank, the latter being the oldest institution of the kind in the state, having just celebrated its centennial of existence. Of the seven children of Robert and Charlotte Coit, Robert was the fourth. On his father's side of the family line, he is a direct descend- ant of Elder Brewster of the Mayflower, through his daughter Grace.
He was prepared for college at excellent private schools in New London and Farmington, and, entering Yale, was graduated in the class of 1850. This was the first class to be carried entirely through the college curriculum by President Woolsey. In the same class were Rev. Leonard Woolsey Bacon, Hon. Ellis H. Roberts, Martin Camp of California, and others of lesser note.
The intricacies of legal technicalities being attractive to his tastes, he began the study of law with Hon. William C. Crump, and at the Yale Law School. He was admitted to the bar of New London County in 1853, and at once commenced the practice of his pro- fession in the city of New London. Mr. Coit was elected judge of probate in 1860, and filled that position for four years. When the Bankruptcy Act was passed he was made register for his district, and held that office as long as the law was in force.
In 1867, Mr. Coit made a change in his business relations. He was offered and accepted the treasurership of the New London Northern Railroad, and since that time his life has been
I73
OF CONNECTICUT, 1861-1894.
almost wholly identified with that corporation. A few years later he was clected vice- president, and soon afterwards promoted to the presidency, and is now filling that responsible position. During the quarter of a century since he became connected with the company, the road has been extended by construction from Amherst to Miller's Falls, and by purchase to Brattleboro. The volume of business has nearly doubled, and the value of the stock has increased in like proportions. If success be taken as a test of executive ability coupled with careful management, Mr. Coit may be held up as an example of an excellent railroad official.
Men of Mr. Coit's stamp are never permitted by their fellows to hide their lights under a bushel. . In 1879, he was elected mayor of New London by a handsome vote, and received the compliment of two reelections. It was during his incumbency of the mayor's chair that the centennial celebration of the burning of the town took place, and he added to his previous reputation by the manner in which he handled all the details. The same year he was elected to the mayorality he was sent to the General Assembly from New London, and served on the judiciary committee and on the committee on constitutional amendments. Mr. Coit was elected to the state Senate for two years in 1880, and at the expiration of his terin was elected for two years inore. In the upper branch of the legislature he served as chairman of the committees on corporations, on cities and boroughs, on insurance, and was a member of other committees. For the last two years he filled the office of president pro tempore. Speaking of his legislative work, the Hartford Post said in January, 1883 :
Hon. Robert Coit, senator for the Ninth District, is one of the best known and most influential members of the legislature. The present session will constitute the closing half of his second term as a member of the senate, he having been elected in the fall of 1879, and again in 1881, by handsome majorities on both occasions. * * In the eastern section of the state Senator Coit possesses great personal popularity, his ability, con- scientiousness, and acumen being recognized by those who are of the opposite political party.
Mr. Coit's services have been called for by other institutions, and his official positions are only limited by the amount of time. He is now president of the Union Bank, and treasurer of the New London Steamboat Company, and is one of the vice-presidents of the Savings Bank of New London. Here is what the Hartford Courant thinks of Hon. Augustus Brandegee, an old time friend of Mr. Coit's, and following that is Mr. Brandegee's opinion of the gentleman himself, as expressed in the latter part of 1891 :
The Hon. Augustus Brandegee, one of the brightest and most entertaining and liveliest citizens of Connecti- cut, has developed suddenly an amusing notion that he is an old man, and as such he contributes his remi- niscences to the New London Telegraph. Of course they are most enjoyable. * * * * He closes his interesting article with a sketch of the Hon. Robert Coit, which that gentleman's many friends will read with most appreciative commendation :
Last of all, but not least, I must a say a word of Robert Coit, who though still living has left the bar for the more congenial pursuits of business life. He was just entering upon a successful career at the bar, when some evil genius persuaded him to take the position of treasurer of the New London Northern Railroad, from which he ultimately was promoted to be its president. He had every quality to have made a great lawyer, and ultimately a great judge. He was cultured in ancient and modern literature. He was familiar with the useful as well as graceful sciences and arts. He had a diction and power of speech when once aroused that carried not only persuasion but conviction with it. He knew how to express his thought with the pen as well as the tongue in pure English undefiled. He had studied law as a science from its deep English foundations and his mind was broad enough and strong enough to apply it with its limitations and adap- tations to the whole business of life. And then he had a character as pure as the sunlight, which had come to him through a long line of noble ancestors, with whom honesty, fidelity, integrity and honor were heredi- tary transmissions, and to whom a stain was a wound. So equipped I hoped to see him pass from the front rank of the bar to the front rank of the bench as one of the great names in our judicial history. But just as his sun began to mount to its meridian he left the bar for the more congenial activities of a busi- ness life as president of the New London Northern Railroad. To him more than any and all others, it is true that the stock of that local corporation, in which so many people in this vicinity are interested, stands higher in the market, with but two or three exceptions, than any other railroad in the United States.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.