USA > Connecticut > Representative men of Connecticut, 1861-1894 > Part 46
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at this time can hardly be over-valued. He is a trustce of the Fairfield County Law Library Association, a member of thic Fairfield County Historical Society, the Bridgeport Scientific Socicty, the Scaside Club, and other institutions. In politics he has been always a warin supporter of the best principles advocated by thic Republican party.
For many years Mr. Thompson was a member of the board of directors of thic old Bridgeport Library. At that time it was not a public institution, and only by much self- sacrificing labor was it kept open. The handsome gift (mentioncil previously) which lie had the pleasure of securing has since placed the library on a firin financial basis. The management of moneyed institutions and corporations has claimed a share of his attention for the last twenty years. In 1872, he was counsel, and in 1875, was chosen corporator and trustcc of the Bridgeport Savings Bank, and has held these positions continuously to tlie present time.
As a speaker and author, outside of his profession, Mr. Thompson has gained an honor- able name for himself. In recognition of his ability, Yale College conferred the degree of Master of Arts upon him in 1871. None who were present will ever forget his patriotic defence of Washington and Grant against the aspersions of his own minister made at a public service : it showed the instincts of his heart, and was greatly to his credit. He has delivered addresses on numerous occasions, but perhaps that at the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the founding of Stratford was among the most notable. The closing para- graph is an example of his pleasing yet forcible style :
Old Stratford as an agricultural and old-fashioned commercial place, held its own, but when the great West compelled Connecticut to turn to manufacturing and invention, Stratford fell behind. Mrs. Kirk truly says : "The village has never been stirred by those uneasy activities which overturn other New England towns," or if such an impulse has been felt, "Stratford has cast off its unruly suburbs with their enterprises, industries and ambitions."
Stratford has retained in her life and manners most of the old time customs; a marked equality and high average of moral and intellectual manhood; homes of comfort and peace, of plain living and deep thinking, in which few are very rich or very poor; and a people interested in public affairs. The people here prac- ticed civil service reform before it became the dogma of parties. From 1650 to 1835, there were only ten town clerks - leading citizens of the town - Josephi Hawley, Capt. John Minor, Lieut. Joseph Curtis, Deacon John Thompson, Robert Fairchild, Robert Walker, Aaron Benjamin, Elijah Ufford, Silas Burton and David Brooks. For 52} years between 1803 and 1857, David Brooks was postmaster. But I must close, omitting much I should like to speak of. What is the real significance of this day's work? In calling to remembrance the doings of our fathers, we honor them and ourselves. They found this place a wilderness, filled with savage beasts and men. They subdued and converted it into a paradise. But it was not for that they came hither. History teaches us that when liberty and law were triumphant in England, Englishmen ceased to emigrate; and that for 150 years after 1640, there were but few accessions to New England. Our fathers came and did their work here for liberty and law.
Read Kennan's story of Russia's treatment of her freedom loving sons in Siberia, and learn what a late- ful thing despotisin is. The Stuarts were as bad as the Czars. Liberty and law have been preserved to us. Shall we preserve them intact? The insidious forces of despotism are constantly at work under new forms; but we can and must resist them. The maxim, "A people without morals may acquire liberty, but without morals they cannot preserve it," I believe is true; and, if so, a serious duty devolves upon us and our suc- cessors. Aided by the precepts and examples of our truly noble ancestry, we ought not to fail ; but of late certain forces have been slowly working a change in the habits and morals of our people. We must not be deluded. Liberty without wisdom and virtue may be the greatest of evils. Human nature is alike everywhere. It is a moral influence, which, with the blessing of God, has here formed a state of society so eminently desirable. The same influence which has formed it is indispensable to its preservation.
Nov. 21, 1867, Mr. Thompson was married to Marie Louise, daughter of Jaines and Katherine (Barry) Willcox; her parents being of New York families. Mr. Willcox was, at that time, president of the Willcox & Gibbs Sewing Machine Company, and had a country residence at Stamford. Five children were the result of this union, of whom there are living only James Willcox Thompson, a graduate of Yale College, '90, and of the University of Tennessee, '92, now a lawyer, and in the state secretary's office, and Katherine Barry Thompson, a graduate of B. H. S., '92.
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287
OF CONNECTICUT, 1861-1894.
INOR, WILLIAM THOMAS, of Stamford, ex-governor of Connecticut, was born in that town, Oct. 3, 1815, and died there Oct. 13, 1889.
The earliest historic ancestor of the Minors in England, says the " Biograph- ical Encyclopedia of Connecticut and Rhode Island," was a loyal subject of King Edward III., named Bullman, who lived on the Mendippe Hills in Somer- setshire, and who followed the occupation of a miner. About 1350, while the sovereign was on his way to France, Bullman provided him with an escort, and received grateful recognition of his services in the change of his surname to Miner or Minor, and in the bestowment of an appropriate coat of arms. His first American ancestor was Thomas Minor, who emigrated from England in the company of John Winthrop. Arriving at Stonington about the year 1646, he settled with his fellow-colonists at Pequot in 1647.
Governor Minor was the second son of Simeon Hinman and Catherine (Lockwood) Minor of Greenwich. Entering Yale College at fourteen years of age, he graduated from that institution with the class of 1834, and among his classmates were several bright young men who afterwards rose to distinction in various walks in life. Much of what the youthful graduate had learned in school and college he successfully imparted to his pupils as a teacher, and found in that pursuit an excellent preparation for future professional and political life. His aptitude for the latter was apparent to his fellow townsmen, who invited him to deliver the oration on the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence before he had attained his majority. During the five years of his experience as teacher in his native town, he began the study of law under the guidance of his father, who was one of the principal legal practitioners in Fairfield County. Admitted to the bar in 1841, he commenced practice in Stamford, and successfully prosecuted its duties until July, 1864, when he was appointed consul-general at Havana by President Lincoln.
His political career began April, 1841, with his election by the citizens of Stamford to represent them in the lower house of the state legislature. So satisfactory did the service rendered them prove, that he was again returned by his constituents for three consecutive years; and again in 1846, 1847, 1852 and in 1868, he was sent by them to the state House of Representatives. Between the two latter years, in 1854, he was chosen to serve in the Senate of the state, and was also appointed by the legislature of that year to the office of judge of the county court for Fairfield County. Promotion to the highest official position in the commonwealth speedily followed, for in 1855, he was elected governor of Connecticut, and was reelected in 1856.
The vast immigration of foreigners to our great republic is not an unmixed good. Evils are associated with it whose operation the wisest legislation is needed to neutralize. The social, political and military organizations, composed exclusively of members of foreign birth, had challenged his attention and were brought to the thoughtful notice of the legislature in his message of 1855. "Combinations," he remarked, "of our alien population-social, political, and military-are existing all over the country. So far as the social combinations do not interfere with or disturb the rights of others, they should remain unmolested. The political organizations, so far as they are now existing, composed of naturalized citizens, cannot be disturbed; but I do not believe that military companies, to consist entirely of foreign- born citizens, should be formed. Everything about such a company reminds its members, not that they are American citizens, but that they owe allegiance yet to their native land." In the summer of the same year, Governor Minor ascertained that there were several military companies belonging to the state militia that were exclusively composed of naturalized citizens, and of men who had not been naturalized at all. He therefore issued an order, under which
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stich companies were disbanded, and their arms and equipments returned to the state arsenal. Nor was lie less philosophical and far-seeing in his opinions of the common schools of Connecti- cut. In them he saw the factors of truc American nationality, and the surest safeguard against anarchy and bad government. Consequently, he cver felt the deepest interest in tlicir welfare, and strove, both as voter and legislator, to make them idcally excellent: "Second to none, equal to the best." His was the honor of being the first governor of Connecticut to recommend to tlc legislature that the common schools should be made free to all the children of the state. "I shall cheerfully cooperate with you," he said, "in making our co111111011 schools free; for such, in my opinion, the trite policy of our government requires that they should be." The result of his labors, and of the efforts of other philanthropic co-laborers, has been to raise the common schools of Connecticut to a state of efficiency thiat is probably not surpassed in any state, and is certainly unapproached by many of them.
Below the so-called practical philanthropies of ordinary legislation lies a wretched class, ignored by most of the governments of the world, and hitherto but slightly noticed in America. It consists of the imbecile and idiotic. Governor Minor brought these unfortunates to the attention of the legislature, spoke of the good that had been accomplished elsewhere, and recommended that body to "take the necessary steps to ascertain the number of idiotic in the state, their present condition, the probabilities of improvement, and everything requisite to enable a future legislature to act wisely and humanely with reference to this class."
In July, 1864, Mr. Minor was appointed consul-general at Havana, in the island of Cuba, by President Lincoln, and entered upon his duties in December following. The post was one of great trust and responsibility, and required unusual discretion and firmness on the part of its incumbent. Havana was the resort of a large number of persons from the rebellious southern states, who were engaged in blockade-running and in other undertakings injurious to the commercial and national interests of the United States. Constant care and watchfulness were needed on the part of the consul-general to thiwart their destructive plans. About the Ist of June, 1865, the formidable Confederate rain, "Stonewall Jackson," entered the harbor. Friends and enemies alike supposed, that she would overmatch and possibly destroy the entire United States fleet at Key West, sweep every national vessel from the Gulf of Mexico, and raise the blockade of Galveston, New Orleans, and the entire Mississippi river. Had these expectations been realized, new life would have been given to the rebellion, and the war for the preservation of the Union been indefinitely protracted. Mr. Minor therefore resolved to prevent her departure from the port, and through the kind offices of the Spanish Captain-General Dulce, then in command in Cuba, succeeded in the endeavor. The "ram" was surrendered to General Dulce, and by him afterward given up to the United States government. On the day after her surrender to that officer, a powerful armament, consisting of two monitors and five other vessels of war, commanded by Admiral Godon, steamed into the harbor, prepared to defend the interests of the United States in the event of any emergency. That fleet had been dispatched by the government, in consequence of information forwarded by Consul-General Minor. Fortunately coercive measures had been rendered unnecessary by previous negotiations and the surrender of the vessel. Mr. Minor continued at his post until April, 1867, when he resigned, returned home, and resumed the practice of his profession. The manifold mischiefs which afterward grew out of the policy of President Andrew Johnson vindicated Mr. Minor's dissent from the same, and the conse- quent relinquishment of his office.
In the spring of 1868, Mr. Minor was again elected to the legislature, and gave his best efforts to accomplish a much needed reforin. It was generally believed that electoral frauds
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OF CONNECTICUT, 1861-1894.
were quite common under the system of voting then prevalent. Whether the belief were justified by facts or not, it is certain that the system then in vogne afforded facilities for fraud, that any political party might utilize so far as seemed to be desirable. That system was peculiar to Connecticut: allowing votes to be cast in any town of the state on a certificate from the town clerk of some other town that A. B. had been admitted an elector of the state, the presumption being that A. B. was the person presenting the certificate. It was asserted that in different towns in the state large numbers of such certificates had been obtained in the names of persons deceased, and of persons removed from the state, and fraudulent votes cast upon the same.
The legislature was so clearly convinced of the necessity of reform at this point, that it appointed a joint committee, of which Governor Minor was chairman on the part of the House, to investigate the matter and report appropriate legislation. The work thus confided to the committee was performed with thoroughness and zeal, and an entirely new electoral registry law, which abolished the vicious practices complained of, was drafted and reported to the legislature. A heated contest occurred over its passage. Those opposed to it claimed that it was a partisan measure, and intended to operate in favor of one political party. How this could be was not apparent to an outside observer. It evidently operates with equity on both parties. If any of its provisions seem to be burdensome, both parties are equally affected by them. It impartially imposes the same liabilities and obligations upon all citizens. Its working has effectually checked the old practices, whichi, if left unchecked, would have eaten out the very life of popular institutions. It was no sinall service to the latter that was rendered by the legislature in the final adoption of the bill.
In 1868, Governor Minor was appointed by the legislature one of the judges of the superior court of the state, for the term of eight years, and entered upon his duties in August of the same year. His judicial administration was characterized by his usual ability, dili- gence, fidelity and harmony with the unwritten law of the state. The latter wisely divorces all judicial functionaries from current politics, so far as active management and advocacy are concerned. The judges of Connecticut have always voted as they pleased, but have con- scientiously abstained from attendance on political meetings and participation in partisan politics. The action of Judge Minor was in harmony with the uniform precedent established by his predecessors and contemporaries. For reasons satisfactory to himself, he concluded not to fulfil his entire official terin, and, in 1873, tendered to the legislature his resignation, to take effect on the 15th of November of that year. After that time he was a resident of Stamford, addicted to congenial pursuits, and wholly abstinent from legal practice.
Somewhat pertinent to Governor Minor's dissent from President Johnson's political measures is the statement of the fact that in 1864, he was a delegate at large from Con- necticut to the National Republican Convention, held in Baltimore, on the 9th of June, 1864, and was also the chairman of his delegation. He then voted in favor of the renomi- nation of Abraham Lincoln for the Presidency, and of the nomination of Andrew Johnson for the Vice-Presidency. Connecticut was the first state called upon that gave a united vote to any candidate for the latter office, and its twelve votes cast unanimously in favor of the candidate from Tennessee contributed largely to his nomination, if, indeed, it did not assure it.
Governor Minor was married in April, 1849, to Mary C., second daughter of John W. Leeds of Stamford, a gentleman who was president of the Stainford Bank from the date of its organization in 1834, to that of his death in March, 1878. Five children, of whom two are now living, were the fruit of this union. One of the survivors is a daughter, named Emily C., and the other is a son, Charles W., who is a practicing lawyer in the city of New York.
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ENDEE, LUCIUS JUSTIN, of Hartford, for twenty-two years president of the Atna Fire Insurance Company, was born in Andover, Conn., July 13, 1818. He died Sept. 4, 1888, having just passed the scriptural limit of three score ycars and ten.
"The kindly face which looks upon the reader from the opposite page," said the Insurance Journal, "has looked its last upon this world ; but it has left an impression upon the business and social life of the community which will ontlast the work of the engraver. That was a false philosophy of human life which taught that 'The evil mnen do lives after tlici11, the good is oft interred with their bones.' The good and evil both live, the one to spread untold blessings, the other to scatter measureless evils. As the pebble dropped in the pool sends ever widening circles to the farthest shore, as the imprisoned fern leaves its clear cut impress on the enduring rock, so a human life goes out of the ranks of busy men, but it leaves behind it an influence which endures. There is no doubt about the kind of influence Mr. Hendee's life has left with us. Without touching upon his family and social life, which were singularly beautiful, there is enough in his business career to bear the witness of ' Well done, good and faithful servant.' "
Lucius J. Hendee was the son of Eliphalet and Amelia (Babcock) Hendee. He was brought up with the surroundings of a country village and a country store in Connecticut. It has been a much disputed question whether this is the best school in which to train mnen for subsequent careers of usefulness, but when it brings out such men as Mr. Hendee, one is inclined to vote in favor of the country store. The inoral and mental fibre of the subject doubtless has much to do with the outcome of such training, but it is a school in which boys learn to think, and that, in the hurrying life of our larger cities, is not a general accom- plishment. Perhaps it is well that the future insurance president passed through this process of development.
His first experience as an underwriter was derived amid the most ordinary circumstances. Abner Hendee, his uncle, carried on a miscellaneous store of the times, and in addition was the local agent of the Atna Fire Insurance Company in Hebron. From 1836 to 1852, Lucius was his uncle's general assistant, and by daily contact with himi gained a knowledge of the rudiments of the business, and imbibed the solid principles which guided him on to paths of usefulness and eminence. In the last named year he succeeded to his uncle's business, including the insurance agency. He watched over the risks he assumed for the company with the greatest care for several years, meeting with the success which always follows earnest endeavor, but without indulging in any anticipations of further exploits in the field of under- writing. The truth of the familiar text: "He that is faithful over a few things shall be inade ruler over many things," was illustrated in his case. His careful methods and sterling integrity, his intelligence and skill in handling cases, had attracted attention at the home office, and secured him numerons friends. When the position of secretary became vacant in 1861, he was chosen to fill the office. It was a wonderful and extraordinary promotion from a country agency to the secretaryship of the best known of American insurance companies, but the compliment was well deserved. Executive ability and judgment of the highest order were required of him during the whole time he occupied the office, as it covered the trying years of the most stupendous war that has ever disturbed the affairs of a civilized nation. The records of the company show what he accomplished. The Ætna was a large company even then, having agencies in nearly every city and town in the Union, and its movements were watched with the keenest interest. Competitors who followed where it led did well, for the new secretary was a masterful man, in every way equal to the needs of the hour. His growth, as well as that of the company, was remarkable during these years.
WW &L. MY
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OF CONNECTICUT, 1861-1894.
On the death of Mr. Thomas A. Alexander in 1866, Mr. Hendee was very naturally elevated to the presidency. To have chosen any one else would simply have been inad- ness on the part of the directors. This office he held by successive elections until his death in 1888. Besides a thorough knowledge of accounts and of financial matters generally, Mr. Hendee brought to the service of the Atna a practical acquaintance with what was thien, and is still, a prominent feature of its business, country risks. What was of still greater value in the management of an insurance company, he brought a clear head and a wonderful faculty for keeping his own counsel. The Ætna had assets of about two and a quarter millions when he became its secretary, and at his death it had nearly ten inillions. Its income in the first named year was $1,850,000, and in the last year of his life it was $3,043,000. Under his efficient management the Ætna became the largest fire insurance company in the United States. Its naine was ever the synonyin of impregnable strength, unvaried fair dealing and wise progressiveness.
Every officer of a successful insurance company works his business life into that success. The condition of the Atna at the time of his decease is a monument to Mr. Hendee's life work. There was never a suspicion that in the dealings of the Atna under his adminis- tration, either with the policy holders or with his associates in business, that there was aught but the fullest measure of justice. He was a inan, who, in the words of the psalmist, "sweareth to his own hurt and changethi not." By his genial disposition and many acts of kindly consideration he endeared himself to all his associates, whether in the executive departinent or in the large force of employees in the office. He was regarded by all as a friend.
Energetic, and seemingly concentrated as Mr. Hendee's efforts were to make the Ætna a magnificent success, let it not be supposed that it engrossed all his attention. Soon after succeeding to the business of his uncle in 1852, his active inind grappled with other problems. The condition of the country was then in a state of effervescence. Whigs, Democrats, Republicans, Abolitionists and Free Soilers were striving for the ascendancy in the councils of the nation. A lover of liberty and equality, Mr. Hendee espoused the principles of the Republican party. In 1856, he was elected to the state Senate and was reelected the following year. He was elected state treasurer on the ticket with Governor Buckingham in 1859, and with him was reelected the two following years. During these five years of service at the State House he had not lost his hold upon his insurance interests. While he probably had no thought of ever occupying the presidential chair of the Atna, somebody else was thinking for him, and in 1861, after completing his third terin as state treasurer, he was chosen secretary of the Ætna.
The positions of trust which he might have held in Hartford were simply limited by his time and strength. Mr. Hendee was interested in the subject of insurance in all legitimate forins. He was a charter inember and until his death a director in the Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection & Insurance Company, and by his wise counsel assisted materially in the success attained by that flourishing institution. He was for several years vice- president of the Charter Oak Bank, and also a director in the Security Company. Mr. Hendee's religious affiliations were with the Protestant Episcopal church, and his religious home was in St. John's, Hartford. Almost from the time of his coming to the city he held the office of vestryman, and for many years he served as treasurer of the church. Into his work for his Master he put the same energy and ability he used in building up the Ætna; and the parish was greatly benefitted by his labors.
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