USA > Connecticut > Representative men of Connecticut, 1861-1894 > Part 45
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280
REPRESENTATIVE MEN
B
ILL, HENRY, of Norwich, book publisher, state senator, bank president, and founder of the Bill Library in Ledyard, and of the Henry Bill Publishing Company, was born in that part of the town of' Groton, now Ledyard, on the ISth of May, 1824. He was the son of Gurdon and Lucy ( Yerrington) Bill.
His early life was spent upon the farm, but having a desire to see more of the world, he went to New London, where, after a brief experience as apprentice in the office of the New London Gazette when he was in his sixteenth year, Mr. Bill returned to his native town and the following winter secured a position as teacher in the Broad Brook district in Preston. That he might be better qualified for the responsible duties of teacher, he entered the academy at Plainfield, then one of the most celebrated schools in the country. Until he reached the age of twenty, his winters were occupied in teaching in the schools of Plainfield and Groton, and his summers in helping his father on the paternal farm, inter- spersing these occupations with a limited period of trade in New London. The force and energy which were ever so characteristic of Mr .. Bill now inade themselves apparent. At twenty his year of minority was purchased of his father, and soon after he engaged in a business which was to occupy the remainder of his active life, and in the prosecution of which all the highest objects of his ambition were achieved. We went to the West, where he engaged in selling books for several years, and as the months went by he gained a prac- tical insight into the business of publishing books which he could have secured in no other way. In the fall of 1847, having decided to enter the field as publisher on his own account, he returned to his native county and located in the city of Norwich. In taking this step he was much encouraged by the elder Harper Brothers of New York. They instinctively recognized the material for success which he possessed, and gave him unquestioned credit, and during the rest of their lives remained his warmest friends.
Here for nearly two score years Mr. Bill pursued his avocation as a book publisher with ceaseless energy and with uniform success. A catalogue of the works which he published and distributed by hundreds of thousands all over the United States by agents would include such standard volumes as "Stephen's Travels in Yucatan," "Maunder's History of the World," "Murray's Encyclopedia of all Nations," "Kitto's Bible Histories," Abbott's History of the Civil War," "The Life of Christ," and "Young People's History of the the Bible," etc., etc.
Such a life of hard, persistent work deserved and was rewarded by an ample fortune. But the labor of securing this desirable result had made sad inroads on his health, and a change was made necessary in the management of the widely extended interests. Mr. Bill then organized his extensive business into the joint stock corporation, which still flourishes under the title of the Henry Bill Publishing Company. At this time to a large extent he retired from the activities of inercantile life.
Following the traditions of the family, in early life Mr. Bill's political affiliations were with the Democratic party. It was as a Democrat that he represented the Norwich district in the Senate of 1853, and his popularity was so great that in the election he received a liberal share of the votes of his opponents. He was the youngest member of the Senate at that session. When the contest came in 1856, and the party was rent asunder, he east his lot with the anti-slavery section, and has since been an active and uncompromising member of the Republican party. During the Civil War his services and time were freely given to the Union cause. He was the devoted friend of Governor Buckingham, who was at the helin of state during those trying scenes, and the governor relied greatly upon his adviee and counsel. He was a presidential elector in 1868, on the General Grant tieket,
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OF CONNECTICUT, 1861-1894.
but with the exceptions named he has held no public office. In his early manhood Mr. Bill became a ineinber of the Congregational Church, and during his residence in Norwich was a member of the Broadway Society, being a liberal supporter of its work.
The citizens of Norwich will ever be deeply indebted to Mr. Bill for his philanthropic interest in the extension of their park privlleges. The reclaiming of the tract, now known as Laurel Hill, one of the most thrifty and beautiful suburbs of Norwich, was wholly his work. He gave outright to the state a public park valued at $8,000, after having first inade the gift possible. To his native town of Ledyard his interest took the forin of a fine library, known as the "Bill Library." This was solely for the benefit of the people of the town, and together with the gift of a handsome parsonage, cost not less than $12,000. He has also taken a deep interest in the welfare and education of many colored young men in the Southern states since the war. His benefactions along this line have resulted most favorably in numerous instances. For nearly thirty years he was vice-president of the Chelsea Savings Bank, for two years served as president, resigning the office only on account of declining health.
In the future of his adopted city Mr. Bill always had great faith, and, obeying the Scriptural injunction, he showed his faith by his works. His investments were almost wholly in real estate, and in its care and management he found ample occupation after his retirement from the whirl of business life. In this respect, as in all the leading traits of his character, his example is a valued and safe guide. Few of the sons of New London County have inade a more lasting impress upon its moral and material interests than Mr. Bill, and when the roll of its sons who have made an honored namie for them- selves shall be called, his name will be found among the very first. He was one of the best products of the solid Connecticut institutions - self-inade, self-reliant, strong to execute whatever he planned, a worthy citizen, a good friend and a model neighbor, he left a lasting mark for good upon the community where he passed the active period of his life.
Henry Bill was married Feb. 10th, 1847, to Julia O. Chapman, daughter of Simeon and Ursula Chapinan. Of the seven children born to them, two daughters and a son are now living. He died Aug. 16, 1891, greatly beloved and lamented by all his fellow-citizens. His remains lie buried in Yantic cemetery in Norwich.
ARPENTER, ELISHA, of Hartford, judge of the Supreme Court of the state of Connecticut, was born in Ashford, Windham County, Jan. 14, 1824. His father was Uriah B. Carpenter, a farmer in moderate circumstances. He was of British descent, of a numerous family both in England and in this country. William Carpenter and three sons emigrated to this country in 1642, and settled in Massachusetts, just east of Rhode Island. A generation or two later some of their descendants] settled in eastern Connecticut. No one of the name became famous or particularly wealthy; on the other hand, so far as is now known, no one belonged to the criminal or vicious classes; but all were respectable and law abiding citizens. His inother's name was Marcia Scarborough. The Scarborough family, too, was prominent in England, and numerous in this country. What has been said of the Carpenters is equally true of them. The two grandfathers of Judge Carpenter, although quite young, were soldiers of the Revolutionary War. Both died before he was born, but their widows lived about a quarter of a century after, and were pensioners. Both families were somewhat noted for their longevity.
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REPRESENTATIVE MEN
'The father of Judge Carpenter was a man of small means. His main occupation was tilling the soil, although he held the most important offices in the gift of the town- selectman, justice of the peace, judge of probate and representative in the General Assembly. His main reliance for the support of his family was the farm; and that required unremitting toil, economy and good management. Nearly everything-food and clothing-came directly or indirectly from the farm. Flax, the direct product of the soil, supplied clothing for the family during the summer; wool produced by the floeks kept on the fann, supplied it in winter. Both were substantially made into cloth, and, to a considerable extent, by the female members of the household. The fcet were protected from the cold by hides produced on the farm, and converted into leather by the local tanner. Boots and shoes were made by the male members of the family. Such was life in rural New England in 1824, and for some twenty years afterwards. Uriah B. Carpenter died at Eastford in 1872, at the venerable age of eighty-one years. Elisha, the subject of this sketch, was his fourth son.
Brought up on the farm owned and cultivated by his father, the lad divided his time about equally between agricultural labor and study. Although at this time his opportunities of acquiring an education were extremely limited, he made excellent progress and when only seventeen years of age was sufficiently well advanced in his studies to engage in school teaching, his first charge being in the town of Willington in the northern part of the state. Having secured a degree of financial independence through his labors as a teacher-which were continued at intervals during a period of seven years-he set about preparing himself for college, entering the Ellington Institute at Ellington, Tolland County, the principal of which when he began the course was the Rev. Richard S. Rust, who was succeeded later on by the Rev. Mr. Buckham, and both of whom were widely known as skilled instructors. Several circumstances combined to prevent his carrying out his intentions regarding a college education, and, about the year 1844, he turned his attention to the study of law, being assured that his educational qualifications were now amply sufficient to justify this step. After a thorough legal training in the office of the late Jonathan A. Welch, Esq., of Brooklyn, Conn., he was, in December, 1846, admitted to the bar, and the beginning of the ensuing year found him engaged in active practice in his native place. Here he remained until March, 1851, when he removed to Danielsonville, Com., succeeding to the practice of the late Hon. Thomas Backus, a lawyer of considerable note, who then retired from business.
The ability displayed by the young lawyer drew upon him the attention of persons high in authority, and, in 1851, he was appointed state's attorney for Windham county and served as such one year. In 1854, he was again appointed to the office named and served until 1861. In 1857 and 1858, he sat in the state Senate as the representative of the fourteenth senatorial district of Connecticut, and during the session of the latter year was chairman of the judiciary committee and president pro tem. of the Senate. The opening of the Civil War found him a member of the state House of Representatives, and as chairman of the military committee of this branch of the legislature, he rendered valuable service to the Union cause, of which he continued a staunch and conspicuous supporter until the close of the Rebellion. At the opening of the session there was no law in the state by which the executive could turn over to the general government any portion of the military power of the state. Governor Buckingham, however, who shirked no responsibility, had already placed several regiments at the disposal of the government, which were then in the field. The military committee, realizing the importance of prompt action, prepared a bill legalizing the previous action of the governor and providing for the future, whichi bill became a law during the first week of the session, and continued the groundwork of legislation on that subject during the war.
283
OF CONNECTICUT, 1861-1894.
By that legislature he was elected a judge of the Superior Court -not as a Republican, for there were no party nominations-to succeed Judge Butler, who was promoted to the Supreme Court bench. His term of office commenced July 4, 1861. In 1865, he was elected to fill the vacancy upon the bench of the Supreme Court of Errors of Connecticut, caused by the retirement of Judge Dutton - formerly governor of the state, - who had reached the constitional limit as to age. Judge Carpenter took his seat upon the supreme bench in February, 1866, and, although still a comparatively young man, brought to the exercise of his high judicial functions rare attainments, both as a lawyer and jurist, and many scholarly accomplishments.
Judge Carpenter has been reelected for three successive terms of eight years each, and at the expiration of his constitutional limit, he lacked but one month of twenty-eight years of continuous service in the highest court of the state. He held his distinguished office for a longer time than any other judge since the adoption of the Constitution, and for a period of twenty-three years, previous to 1889, he was the youngest inan on the bench. As a judge he has won general esteem without attempting to influence it by resorting to merely popular methods ; and his decisions and rulings, universally regarded as conspicuously just and able, stamp him as a man of high intellect and rare judgment and discrimination, and have earned for him a distinguished place among American jurists. The cause of popular education has always found a firm and progressive supporter in Judge Carpenter, who was an active and efficient member of the State Board of Education from its organization in 1865, down to the close of 1883. For some years also he has served on the State Board of Pardons. In private life Judge Carpenter is widely loved and respected. An honorable and high-minded gentleman, his example and influence as a citizen is a constant power for good, not only in the community with which he is most closely identified, but also throughout the state.
Speaking of the enforced retirement, the Hartford Post said :
Judge Elisha Carpenter retires, on Sunday, January 14, from his place on the Supreme Court bench, on account of the legal limitation of age - for on that day he will be 70. He is as vigorous mentally as ever, and does not propose to rust out in "innocuous desuetude," but will return to the practice of the law. It will be difficult for his friends to realize that Judge Carpenter, who has been for a generation on the bench of the Superior and the Supreme Courts, is going back to the practice of liis profession. He has formed a partner- ship with a much younger but very promising lawyer from his native county (Windham), Mr. Frank B. Williams; and their law office will be in Hills's Block, 333 Main street. It is a coincidence that Judge Carpenter's law partner, Mr. Williams, is the grandson of Judge Backus of Killingly, in whose office Judge Carpenter read the law, and to which he succeeded when Judge Backus in 1850 retired.
Judge Carpenter took his place in the Superior Court on the 4th of July, 1861-the memorable opening year of the war. He held that place not quite five years, and on the 11th of February, 1866, was promoted to the Supreme Court, a position he has held with credit for nearly twenty-eight years. His work in the highest court has been marked by conscientiousness and ability. His decisions have been, as a rule, models of clearness and good sense. Perhaps he has been best noted as an authority in will cases ; but he has shown a wide range of knowledge of other fields and subjects, and a judicial mind. Always aiming to be a man of the people, his decisions have been made in a way that "the common people " could understand. He ought to have a good deal of useful and successful work yet in his profession; and his numerous friends will heartily wish him all success in it.
He has been twice married. His first wife, Harriet Grosvenor Brown, a daughter of Shubael Brown of Brooklyn, Conn., was united to him in marriage in 1848. This lady died in 1874, leaving one son, De Forest Lockwood, who died in 1879, and three daughters, Alice L., Harriet B., and Marcia S., still living. In 1876, Judge Carpenter married his present wife, whose maiden name was Sophia Tyler Cowen. This esteemed lady, whose native place is Saratoga, is a lineal descendant, through her mother, Sarah S. Tyler, of Rev. Thomas Hooker, the founder of Connecticut, and also of Jonathan Edwards, the distinguished divine, and is a daughter of the late Sydney J. Cowen of Saratoga, N. Y., and a grand-daughter of Hon. Esek Cowen, formerly a judge of the supreme court of New York. Two children, Sidney Cowen and Helen Edwards, both now living, are the issue of this second marriage.
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REPRESENTATIVE MEN
HOMPSON, CURTIS, of Bridgeport, counsellor at law, was born Oct. 30, 1835. John Thompson, the original emigrant of the name, came to New England on a visit of inspection, tradition says, in the good ship, "Elizabeth and An11," in 1635, and, being satisfied with its appearance, returned home to sell liis property, and come back for life. While in England lie was married, and on his second trip to this country, he settled in Stratford somc time before 1646. John Thompson was a man of considerable property, and died leaving a good estate. His son, Ambrose, married a grand-daughter of Governor Thomas Welles of Connecticut, and was for nine years a deputy at the general court, and sat, in 1692, on the jury which was the last to condemn to deatlı a woman for witchcraft in Connecticut. Deacon John, son of Ambrose, was a man of importance in the town and county. He was town clerk for many years, for seven years' a deputy to the general court, during which time he was frequently appointed to settle disputes concerning church sites in Fairfield County, and for twenty-two years a justice of the peace and quorum in the county court. His son, Lieut. John Thompson, married for his second wife, Meliitabel, daughter of the Rev. John Webb of Fairfield, one of the ten Congregational clergymen who founded Yale College, and their fourth son was Captain David, the father of David, Jr., who was in the West India trade, and the grandfather of George, the father of the subject of this sketch. George Thompson was a manufacturer and merchant in Stratford, and married Lucy Ann, daughter of Freeman Curtis, a direct descendant of William Curtis, who landed at Scituate, Mass., in 1632. His widow, Elizabeth, and two sons, William and John, came to Stratford in 1639, and they and their descendants were prominent in the affairs of the state. Through intermediate ancestors, Mr. Thompson is connected with the Wells, Peck, Booth, Judson, Lewis and other old families. On his maternal side he is a descendant of the Rev. Adamn Blakeman, the pioneer minister of Stratford.
Curtis Thompson early in life evinced a love for study, and acquired a good education in the public and private schools. There was at Stratford a library of four hundred volumes of well selected books. To these he had access in his youth, and the opportunity was most diligently improved. He was prepared for, but did not enter Yale College. His excellent parents, blessed with a family of ten children, did not feel able to send him to college. Baffled in this strong desire, he worked for a while at a trade, and taught school, but he still pursued his studies with private instructors and at the Stratford Academy. He became an active participant in the Debating Society of Stratford and the Philomathean Society of Bridgeport, which experience has been of great value to him.
Finally turning his attention to the law, lie studied with George W. Warner, Esq., and D. F. Hollister, Esq., of Bridgeport, and at Harvard University. He was admitted to the bar of Middlesex County, Mass., Dec. 14, 1863, to the Fairfield County (Conn.) bar April 28, 1864, and to the United States courts Nov. 21, 1870. In the earlier portion of his professional career, Mr. Thompson had an extensive criminal practice, and in this field lie gained an enviable reputation for himself. Perhaps the most important case was that of Mrs. Lorena Alexander in 1878. She and one Bassett were charged with the murder of Stuttering Jack, whose body they tried to sell to a Yale professor for dissection. The case was so atrocious in its details, that it seemed hopeless from the start, but Mr. Thompson, with his associate, Albert M. Tallmadge, Esq., handled it with skill and ability. It attracted wide attention at the time. Speaking of his share of the work, the New York Sun said :
Mr. Thompson is a slow, careful and unimpassioned speaker. He reasoned through the case from beginning to end, forgetting nothing and making his meaning clear at every point. He apparently felt the jury was not with him. Next, Mr. Thompson adverted to the letters in which he had begged for an interview.
Curtisthompson.
OF CONNECTICUT, 1861-1894. 285
Thus far the speaker had avoided all effort at elocution, but in reading three of the prisoner's letters-one to City Attorney Holt, one to State's Attorney Olmstead, and one to her inother, his voice was carefully modu- lated and adapted to the sentiments expressed. The reading of these letters was a fine stroke for the defence. Nearly every woman in the court room shed tears and some sobbed outright. The jury were visibly affected, and even Judge Beardsley was apparently not unmoved.
The jury were divided, but at last agreed on murder in the second degree. While his professional work has been general-Mr. Thompson has devoted much time to probate, banking and corporation law. As a member of the Congregational church, he has been employed as counsel in some noted ecclesiastical contests. He was one of the counsel in support of N. S. Wordin's will, the most famous case of the kind in Fairfield County. For a score of years he was the legal counsellor of P. T. Barnum-and drew numerous wills for him. With all the noble gifts of the great showman to charitable and public objects, Mr. Thompson was in hearty sympathy; and when "The Barnum Institute for Science and History " was dedicated after Mr. Barnum's deatlı, he was unanimously chosen to make the opening address, presenting the building to the learned societies. He drew up the provisions of Mrs. Catherine A. Pettengill's will, in which nearly half a million was given by this noble woman to the church, and city, and charity, and he was instrumental thereby in securing $100,000 for the Bridgeport Public Library, whereby it was placed on a solid footing.
Mr. Thompson's connection with the bank brought him largely into real estate transac- tions, and in this branch of his profession he has grown to be an expert. Mr. Thompson stands in the front rank among the members of his profession, and easily holds his position by his long experience, his comprehensive grasp of the technicalities of a case, and his strong and forcible manner of presenting his side of the question at issue. But he aims to make his office "a court of conciliation," and to aid his clients in avoiding trouble "and settling controversies before they grow into law suits."
His official career has been an extended and honorable one. In 1864, Dr. J. T. Dennison having been appointed judge of probate for the Fairfield district, he was inade clerk of that court, and during the next four years did most of the probate business of the district. It was a good school for him, and the experience gained has been useful to himn in many ways. The following year Mr. Thompson represented Stratford in the state legislature, and was twice reelected. In his first term the legislature was strongly Republi- can in tone, but with 1866 came the re-construction party and the condition of things was much different. This year he assisted in securing the election of Hon. O. S. Ferry as United States senator. He was elected for the third time in 1867, and at each election had the satisfaction of seeing his majority increased. In 1865, he served as a member of the judiciary committee; in 1866, as chairman of the same committee, and the last term as chairman of the committee on corporations, which happened that year to be one of the most important of the session; he was, also, a member of the committee on contested elections and of other committees.
The high value his fellow-citizens place upon his services is evidenced by the number of offices to which he has been elected. In 1867, he was town clerk of Stratford. In 1868, 1869 and again in 1872, Mr. Thompson was deputy judge of the city court of Bridgeport. For three years, commencing in 1874, he served as councilman and alderman of the city, and as a member of the committee to revise the charter and ordinances. In 1883, he was attorney for the town of Bridgeport, and for the years 1879, 1882, 1886 and 1887, he was city attorney. Seeing the need of obviating the anomalous condition of things existing, in 1888, he headed a movement, which was successful, to consolidate the town and city governments. With able assistants and hard work the amendment was carried through the legislature. Now no one would think of returning to the former state of affairs. The service he rendered to the city
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