USA > Connecticut > The governors of Connecticut : biographies of the chief executives of the commonwealth that gave to the world the first written constitution known to history > Part 13
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His son, the Rev. and Hon. Gershom Bulkeley, a leading character in our colonial history, married the daughter of Presi- dent Chauncy of Harvard College. Their third child and eldest son, John Bulkeley, born at Colchester, April 19, 1705, was graduated from Yale College in 1726. He practiced law and medicine in his native town, and during the forty-eight years of his life held a great number of public offices. For thirty-one sessions he was a member of the General Assembly, a member
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of the council, judge of the Superior Court, and colonel of the Twelfth Regiment of the militia. His grandson, Eliphalet, was father of John Charles Bulkeley of Colchester, and grandfather of Eliphalet A. Bulkeley who was one of the leading citizens of Connecticut. Studying law, he became interested in finance and politics, was one of the founders of the Republican party in ·Connecticut, and its first speaker in the House of Representa- tives. He organized both the Connecticut Mutual and Aetna Life Insurance Companies, being president of the latter at the time of his death in 1872.
His son, Morgan Gardner Bulkeley, was born in the town of East Haddam on December 26, 1837. He removed with his father to Hartford in 1846, and obtained his education in the district schools and the Hartford High School. His begin- nings in life were of a humble nature, as the first position he held was that of an errand boy in a mercantile house in Brook- lyn, New York. This was in 1852, and his progress was rapid, for in a short time he was confidential clerk, and in a few years a partner in the concern. When the Civil War opened Bulkeley enlisted in the Thirteenth New York Regiment and was at the front under General McClellan during the Peninsu- lar campaign. He afterwards served under General Mansfield. The elder Bulkeley died in 1872, and Morgan G. Bulkeley then removed to Hartford.
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He immediately entered into the financial and social life of the city, and became one of the most prominent men in Hartford. To the founding of the United States Bank he gave much time and labor, and was its first president. Upon the retirement of Thomas Enders from the presidency of the Aetna Life Insur- ance Company, Bulkeley was elected as his successor, thus becoming its third president. As a financier he always had an enviable reputation and is a director of the Willimantic Linen Company, the Aetna National Bank, and several other success- ful corporations. The wonderful success of the Aetna Life Insurance Company may be attributed in no small degree to Bulkeley's rare business ability, both as a manager and financier.
Soon after his removal to Hartford he began to take a keen interest in local politics. During the early seventies Bulkeley was a councilman and alderman from the fourth ward and in 1880 was elected mayor of Hartford. He became so popular in this office that he was re-elected three times thus serving four terms, from 1880 to 1888.
While mayor he exercised his best ability to transact the busi- ness of the city in an economical manner, and was the fearless expo- nent of measures which he thought to be for the best interests of the city irrespective of partisan feeling. Among the poorer classes he has always been very liberal with his fortune and it is said, that while mayor of Hartford, Bulkeley gave away every year more
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than he received as his salary. His administration as mayor was so successful that his friends thought him a desirable candidate for governor. In 1886 Bulkeley's name was presented to the Repub- lican State Convention but the enthusiasm over Lounsbury was so great that solely in the interest of good feeling the former withdrew from the gubernatorial contest. He supported Louns- bury in the campaign that followed, and in 1888 was nominated by acclamation for governor of the state amid great enthusiasm. Bulkeley was elected and took his seat January 10, 1889. His administration was characterized by a vigorous determination on the part of the chief executive to serve the state as well as possible. General Merwin was nominated in 1890 and at the election which followed, the first under the present secret ballot law, the result showed such a close vote that there was considerable doubt as to who was the victor. The returns were not accepted by the offi- cials as conclusive, or by the House of Representatives. A long, dreary contest followed and as the General Assembly failed to settle the question of gubernatorial succession, Governor Bulkeley, acting under the constitution, remained in office and exercised the duties of governor for the next two years. He retired from the office when his successor was duly elected and inducted into office in 1893. Governor Bulkeley was elected United States senator to succeed General Joseph R. Hawley in January, 1905, and took his seat in March of the same year. His speech of acceptance uttered in the
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hall of the House of Representatives was one of the most appro- priate and eloquent efforts heard by a Connecticut General Assembly in many years. Governor Bulkeley is still a resident of Hartford where he is honored as one of the foremost men of the city.
He is a member of Massachusetts Commandery Loyal Legion; Robert O. Tyler Post, G. A. R .; Sons of the American Revolution; Connecticut Society of the War of 1812; Colonial War Society; Connecticut Historical Society, Union League Club of New York City, and many of the other patriotic and learned organizations of the country.
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The FIFTY - SECOND GOVERNOR of
CONNECTICUT was LUZON B. MORRIS
Born in Newtown, and at the age of seventeen learned the trade of blacksmith and tool maker -At twenty-one he used his earnings to secure an education at the Connecticut Liter- ary Institute and Yale College-Choosing law as a profession, he entered politics and began his long and eminently successful career in public life; gained distinction as an author- ity on probate law and secured an extensive practice in the settlement of estates
Luzon B. Moms
LUZON
BURRETT
MORRIS
L UZON B. Morris was the son of Eli G. Morris of New. town, and was born in that town on April 16, 1827. He attended the district school, and at the age of seventeen commenced to learn the trade of a blacksmith and tool maker. During the next four years the young man worked hard and saved his money, having one object in view, and that was to obtain a good education. At twenty-one he had accumulated suffi- cient means to enable him to begin studying. He entered the Connecticut Literary Institute of Suffield and prepared for Yale College, which he entered in 1850. He would have been grad- uated in 1854, but for some reason he left college during his senior year and did not receive his degree until four years later. After leaving college he went to the town of Seymour, where he engaged for a short time in the manufacturing business, at the same time studying law. In 1855 he became a student at the Yale Law School, and after pursuing his studies there one year was admitted to the bar. Morris returned at once to Seymour, where he began the practice of law. The popular
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confidence in his ability was very marked from the first. In 1855 and 1856 he represented Seymour in the General Assem- bly with great success. He removed to New Haven in 1857 and made that city his home during the remainder of his life. Then began his long and eminently successful career in public life. Morris was elected judge of probate for the New Haven district for six successive terms, from 1857 to 1863, and in 1861 became a member of the New Haven Board of Education, which position he held for a long time. He was elected representative from New Haven to the General Assembly in 1870, 1876, 1880 and 1881. In 1874 he served as senator from his district and was president pro tem. during that session.
During the period that Judge Morris was serving in the Legislature he carried on his extensive law practice, which con- sisted in a large measure in the management and settlement of estates. This necessarily entailed a vast amount of labor, yet Judge Morris was able to serve both ends in an able manner. His long experience as judge of the New Haven Probate Court, made him unusually well qualified for the settlement of estates. Any estate that was placed in his hands received the same careful attention, no matter whether it was that of a poor farmer or Daniel Hand, the millionaire.
In 1880 Judge Morris was appointed a member of the com- mittee to permanently settle the boundary controversy between 342
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Connecticut and New York. A committee was formed in 1884 to evise the probate laws of the state, and Judge Morris was appointed its chairman. Having always been a pronounced Democrat, Judge Morris became the candidate of that party for governor of the state in 1890. In the election which followed he received a plurality, but not a majority, over his opponent, General Merwin; and in the deadlock which followed, Governor Bulkeley held over his term until 1892. Much partisan excitement was aroused during these years of controversy, but Judge Morris remained per- fectly conservative and very dignified. He was renominated for the same office in 1892 and received 82,787 votes at the polls, 6,042 more than General Merwin, the Republican candidate. Gov- ernor Morris served from 1893 to 1895 and reflected credit upon his party, although his administration was a very quiet one. During his second year as chief executive Governor Morris was made a director of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Company.
After retiring from the governorship he again took up his practice of law. He was enjoying apparent good health, but on the morning of August 22, 1895, Governor Morris was stricken with apoplexy while at work in his office. He was removed to his home but died soon after reaching there. He left a widow and several children, one of whom, Robert Tuttle Morris, is a well- known New York surgeon; a daughter is the wife of President Arthur T. Hadley of Yale University.
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The FIFTY-THIRD GOVERNOR of
CONNECTICUT
was
OWEN VINCENT COFFIN
His early days were spent on his father's farm in Mansfield, New York, where he was born - After leaving the seminary he taught school, and later became a salesman in a wholesale mercantile house, subsequently a partner in a successful firm, and then a banker, insurance president, and executive in a score of public and quasi-public interests-In his election to governorship he received highest vote ever reached by any candidate up to that time
Vincent toffi
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O WEN Vincent Coffin was born in Mansfield, Dutchess County, New York, June 20, 1836; descending from Tristram Coffin, who emigrated from England in 1642, set- tled in Haverhill, Massachusetts, and in 1660 went to Nantucket where he was a sort of William Penn among the Indians of the island, dying there in 1681. A homestead at Portledge, in Devon- shire, England, has been held by members of the Coffin family for centuries.
Governor Coffin is the son of Alexander Coffin and Jane Vincent, and is a descendant in the seventh generation from Tristram Coffin mentioned above. He passed his early days on his father's farm, and was educated at the Courtland Academy and the Charlotteville Seminary. After leaving the seminary he taught school and then removed to New York City, where he was a salesman in a wholesale mercantile house. From the age of nineteen to twenty-five he acted as the New York representative of a large Connecticut manufacturer. He subsequently became
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a special partner in a very successful firm in New York.
He married the daughter of Linus Coe of Middletown in 1858, and removed to that city in 1864.
When Civil War threatened the nation he was anxious to enlist but was excluded from doing so on account of his inability to pass the physical examination. He was patriotically inspired, however; sent a substitute, and aided the cause in every way he could.
Soon after settling in Middletown his rare managerial ability was recognized, and he became the active executive officer of the Farmers and Mechanics Savings Bank. This position he held for fifteen years, when ill health compelled him to retire. He was mayor of Middletown in 1872 and 1873 and made a popular official. His health having returned, he was elected president of the Middlesex Mutual Assurance Company, an office he still holds. He has been president of the Middlesex County Agricultural Society, and later was a director and vice-president of the First National Bank of Middletown.
Coffin was elected senator from the twenty-second district in 1886, and again in 1888, thus serving two terms. He received a good majority in a district where there had been only two Repub- lican victories in a generation.
Governor Coffin was never a seeker for public office, but many have been thrust upon him. From 1890 to 1895 he held over a 348
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score of public and quasi-public offices, among which was the treasurer of the Air Line Railroad Company. He filled all these offices in a satisfactory manner.
In 1894 the Republicans of the state nominated Coffin for governor, and his popularity was abundantly demonstrated at the following election, when he received 83,974 votes, and a plurality of 17,000 over Cady, the Democratic nominee. This was the highest vote ever reached by any candidate for a governor of Connecticut up to that time.
Governor Coffin served from 1895 to 1897, and although his administration was uneventful, he impressed the people of the state as being an able chief executive.
At this writing in November, 1905, Governor Coffin still lives in Middletown and is one of Connecticut's representative men. "Anyone who has been fortunate enough to meet this genial, whole-souled ex-governor," says a writer, "will not soon forget the cordial handshake and the pleasant words of welcome he has for all."
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The FIFTY-FOURTH GOVERNOR of
CONNECTICUT was LORRIN A. COOKE
Born in Massachusetts, and began his career as a school teacher, later becoming a prosperous manufacturer - He entered public life at the age of twenty-five years when he was elected to the General Assembly, and progressed through the various political capacities to president pro tem. of State Senate; lieu- tenant governor to the governorship - His public services also led him to honors from religious bodies and many recognitions of trust which he discharged conscientiously
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ALANSON
COOKE
S OLOMON Cooke, the great-grandfather of Lorrin A Cooke, was a soldier in the Continental Army, and his son, Lewis Cooke, served in the War of 1812. Another ancestor, Benjamin Wheeler, was the first white settler in New Marlboro, Massachusetts, and a prominent citizen of Berkshire County.
Lorrin A. Cooke was born in New Marlboro, April 6, 1831, and when quite young his father removed with the family to Nor- folk, Connecticut. The young man attended the district schools of the town and afterwards received a good academical education at Norfolk Academy. During his early manhood Cooke was a very successful school teacher. He first entered public life in 1856, when at the age of twenty-five years he was elected representative to the General Assembly from the town of Colebrook.
In 1869 he was chosen secretary, treasurer and manager of the Eagle Scythe Company of Riverton, and continued in that capacity for the next twenty years. Cooke was a senator
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from the eighteenth district in 1882, 1883 and 1884, and during the last session served as president pro tem. of that body. While a member of the General Assembly, Cooke was chair- man of the Committee on Engrossed Bills, a position which attracts little public attention but calls for a vast amount of labor. He was appointed by the Senate a special committee to make an investigation of certain affairs in connection with the Storrs Agri- cultural School.
He was postmaster in his town in the early eighties. In 1885 he was elected lieutenant governor of the state on the Republican ticket. He was re-elected to the same position in 1895 on the ticket with Coffin.
Always taking a great interest in religious matters, Cooke was chosen moderator of the National Congregational Council held in Chicago in 1886. He was chosen a delegate at large to the Republican National Convention at Minneapolis in 1892.
In 1896 Cooke was elected governor of Connecticut, receiving 108,807 votes against 56,524 for the silver Democratic candidate. This Republican majority of over 52,000 was the largest that a candidate of that party had ever received in this state. This unprecedented flood of ballots was proof of his undi- minished popularity throughout the state. He served the state well and retired in 1899, after having conducted a most successful administration.
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Governor Cooke occupied no public offices after his retire- ment. He died at his home in Winsted, August 12, 1903. A newspaper writer summed up his career as follows:
"In the death of Lorrin A. Cooke the State of Connecticut loses a loyal son. Beginning as a poor boy with limited acquaint- ance and only such opportunity as he might make for himself, he became a man of prominence and influence, trusted by his fel- low citizens to do much important work for them and finally chosen by them to hold the highest office in the gift of the people. His strength lay in the confidence people felt in him. They knew that he was a God-fearing, Christian man, desirous to do right, and not afraid of duty as it disclosed itself to him. Whatever was entrusted to him to do was done to the best of his ability, and when he had satisfactorily discharged one responsibility another was sure to be laid upon him. It may be doubted by his friends whether the two years of his governorship were the pleasantest of his life. Its burdens and responsibilities are a constant load upon the conscientious occupant of the office-and he fully realized what they were. Socially, Governor Cooke was approachable, cordial and democratic. Everybody knew him and he had the confidence and respect of a wide circle of devoted friends."
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The FIFTY-FIFTH GOVERNOR of CONNECTICUT
was GEORGE E. LOUNSBURY
The son of a Connecticut family, tem- porarily residing in New York State-His parents removed to Ridgefield when he was less than one year old-At seventeen years of age he became a school teacher, working on his father's farm during the summer, and at the age of twenty, entirely self- prepared, entered Yale College where he was graduated with honors -He then became a clergyman, and later a manu- facturer-During a period of twenty-seven years he persistently refused political office
Forge E. Lounsbury
GEORGE
EDWARD
LOUNSBURY
T HE second Governor Lounsbury was born on May 7, 1838, in the town of Pound Ridge, Westchester County, New York, where his father and mother were temporarily living. He was the fifth child of Nathan and Delia Scofield Lounsbury, and brother of ex-Governor Phineas C. Lounsbury. All of his imme- diate ancestors were natives of Stamford, and Governor Lounsbury was in reality a native of this state. His parents removed to Ridgefield when their son was less than a year old, and since that time he made the town his home. For over sixty years he resided in the farm house that his father owned before him. He attended the district school and received all the training that the ordi- nary country school was capable of in those days. When seven- teen years of age the youth commenced to teach school, and followed the occupation three winters, working on his father's farm in summer and studying during his spare time. At the age of twenty, entirely self-prepared, Lounsbury entered Yale Col- lege, where he gained a reputation for being a thorough student.
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His career at Yale was quite brilliant and he was graduated in 1863 with high honors. Although the parents of Lounsbury were Methodists, he embraced the Episcopal faith and entered the Berkeley Divinity School at Middletown to prepare for the minis- try. He was graduated from that institution in 1866, and for a year or more had charge of the Episcopal churches in Suffield and Thompsonville. A member of his congregation says: "He is still remembered for the eloquence of his sermons and the kind- heartedness of his parish work. A swelling of the muscles of the throat, brought on by over-training in elocution and threatening to become chronic, caused him to refuse to take the vows of priest- hood and to enter upon a career of business."
Clergyman Lounsbury formed a partnership with his brother, Phineas C. Lounsbury, and began the manufacture of shoes in New Haven. Later the concern removed to South Norwalk, where the business has been successfully carried on for many years, and he became the senior member of the firm of Lounsbury, Mathewson & Company.
During a period of twenty-seven years, Lounsbury persistently refused to accept any political office, but in 1894 he was nomi- nated for senator in the twelfth district. His popularity was demonstrated at the election that fall which resulted in a victory for him of over 1,300 majority. During the session of 1895 he was chairman of the Committee on Finance, "which," says a prominent 360
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newspaper, "was distinguished for its ability and the unanimity with which its reports were accepted by both houses of the Legis- lature."
He was re-elected in 1896 by over 2,700 majority, which was a larger vote than any other Republican candidate received in his district. He also ran considerably ahead of the Mckinley election, a record that was equalled only by one other senator in Connecticut. In the session of 1897 Lounsbury was chairman of the Committee on Humane Institutions. He distinguished him- self to such an extent that the Republican leaders saw in him the most desirable candidate for governor, and at the convention held in August at New Haven, Lounsbury was accordingly nominated for that high office.
In the election which followed, Lounsbury received 81,015 votes against 64,227 for Daniel N. Morgan, the Democratic can- didate. He was inaugurated governor of Connecticut on January 4, 1899, and served the state acceptably for two years, retiring on January 9, 1901.
The "Hartford Courant" said in 1902 of Governor Louns- bury : "His home is that of a thrifty, well-to-do farmer. Wealth, which would have been spent by many men in more showy ways of living, has been used by him in helping the poor. He has not been conspicuous in large donations to rich churches or to the fashion- able charities of the day, but has rather sought the needy and helped
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them over the rough, hard places. There are scores of families who have had a better life, because he has been content with his simple style of living."
Governor Lounsbury was one of the most companionable of men, and his simple, unaffected cordiality won for him a vast circle of friends and admirers. He died in August, 1904, at his home in Ridgefield, and was buried in that town. By his will he made several public bequests.
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The FIFTY-SIXTH GOVERNOR of
CONNECTICUT was GEORGE P. ,McLEAN
Born in Simsbury, and after attending the district school in that town, he was graduated from the Hartford High School and began life as a news- paper reporter - Deciding upon the profession of law, he entered an attorney's office and prepared himself for the bar-At twenty- six years of age he was elected to the Gen- eral Assembly - At twenty-eight years of age he became a leader in the State Senate, and a brilliant record led him on to the governor- ship, where he attained reputation as a statesman
Gro P. M Lean
GEORGE
PAYNE
MCLEAN
G EORGE Payne McLean was born in Simsbury on Octo. ber 7, 1857. His father, Dudley B. McLean, was a leading farmer, and the governor's grandfather, Rev. Allen McLean, was pastor of the Congregational church in the same town for over half a century.
The McLeans have been prominent in the history of Simsbury from the colonial period and the name has long been an honored one in that section. Governor McLean's mother, Mary Payne, was a daughter of Solomon Payne, a man of prominence in Wind- ham County, and a direct descendant from Governor William Bradford and Captain John Mason. The boy attended the public schools of Simsbury during the winters of his boyhood and labored on his father's farm in the summers. When he had com- pleted the course of study offered by the Simsbury schools, he went to Hartford and became a student in the High School of that city. He was chosen editor of the school paper during his junior year and exhibited at that early age ample manifestation of his pro-
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