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 8
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Governor Cleveland was a man of strong character. This was abundantly demonstrated in 1860, when, after being a strong Democrat for sixty years, and realizing there was danger of the government being disrupted, he openly declared himself an unflinch- ing supporter of the Union. Deliberately severing party ties, Governor Cleveland did everything in his power to support the government, worked for Lincoln's election, and was a presidential elector on the Republican ticket. He was also a member of the Peace Congress in 1861 and took a prominent part in the proceed- ings of that famous body.
Governor Cleveland was made Doctor of Laws by Trinity College, and never entered public life to any extent afterwards, but
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practiced his profession in the town of Hampton. Throughout the remaining years of his life he was the recipient of many honors. He died in Hampton on June 6, 1887.
The "Judicial and Civil History of Connecticut" has this to say of Governor Cleveland: "It was mainly as a public man that he was known beyond his own county, and his tastes and ambitions lay far more in the direction of political than of professional life. He was a man of commanding appearance, yet of gentle and courteous manners."
A son, John J., gave promise of unusual ability when very young. He was graduated at Washington (now Trinity) College, studied law, was a clerk of the Federal Courts of the state, attained prominence at the bar, but died at the age of twenty-eight years.
A nephew of Governor Cleveland, the Hon. Edward Spicer Cleveland, son of the Hon. Mason Cleveland, was the unsuccessful democratic candidate for governor of Connecticut in 1886. He was a state senator several times, and was one of the first citizens of the state.
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The THIRTY-FIRST GOVERNOR of
CONNECTICUT was ROGER SHERMAN BALDWIN
Born in New Haven, fourth in descent from a Puritan founder of the town, and grandson of Roger Sherman, a signer of the Declaration of Independence-He was distinguished for his scholarship and graduated from Yale College with high honors-After graduation from the Litchfield Law School he became counsel in many famous cases and a colleague of Seward, Webster, Clay and Calhoun in the United States Senate
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Roger & Baldwin
ROGER
S HERMAN
BALDWIN
R OGER Sherman Baldwin, one of the most talented men Connecticut has ever produced, was born in New Haven on January 4, 1793. His father, Simeon Baldwin, was third in line of descent from John Baldwin, one of those Puri- tans whose names are associated with Davenport, Whitfield and Prudden, the founders of New Haven, Milford and Guilford. His mother was the daughter of Roger Sherman, a signer of the Decla- ration of Independence, a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1787, and a United States senator. On both sides he was descended from the very best New England stock.
In his youth the future governor was distinguished for his accurate scholarship, having read large portions of Virgil before reaching the age of ten.
He entered Yale College in 1807, before he was fourteen years of age, and paid particular attention to rhetoric and elocution. Graduating with high honors in 1811, he was chosen to deliver an oration, and he selected for his subject, "The Genius of a Free Government."
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He commenced the study of law in the office of Seth B. Staples, Esq., but after a year spent in this manner he entered the Litch- field Law School. In that famous institution, where there was at the time several young men of superior ability, Baldwin held a high place, and one of his fellow students, writing to the governor in after years, said : "I think of you still as the head of the Litchfield Law School." Judge Gould, one of those who con- ducted the institution, wrote : "No student from our office ever passed a better examination." Baldwin was admitted to the bar in New Haven in 1814, and at that time "he had developed a mastery of the principles of the law that was considered very remark- able in so young a man." ¡His great learning, superior knowl- edge of the law, and elegant diction soon gained for him the promi- nence he deserved. Rising rapidly in the profession, he attained rare distinction at the bar and enjoyed a large practice. He was chosen a member of the Common Council of New Haven in 1826, and in 1829 an alderman. In 1837 he was elected a member of the State Senate, where he became an exponent of the Whig party, then ascending into power. It is said by one writer that his great regard for the party extended no further than his regard for its principles.
Baldwin always had a great regard for the welfare of the colored population, and one of the earliest incidents of his life was his rescuing a slave belonging to Henry Clay.
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One of the most famous cases in which Baldwin took part was in 1839, when he defended the " Amistad Captives." The Spanish vessel " Amistad " was brought into New London harbor in 1839 by a revenue cutter, having been found drifting along the coast of Long Island, in the possession of a number of Africans. A Spaniard on shipboard said that he with a companion had under- taken to transport a cargo of slaves, recently imported from Africa, from one Cuban harbor to another. In the dead of night, he said, the slaves rose in mutiny, slaughtered his comrade, and spared his life in order that he might navigate the boat. The slaves were taken ashore and cared for, but the Spanish minister immediately made a demand upon our government for restoration of the ship and cargo.
The first court of inquiry by the Federal authorities was held on the "Amistad " in New London harbor. Later the negroes were taken to New Haven and up the canal to Farmington and then to Hartford.
President Van Buren hastened to comply with the request and the case was brought to trial at once. Baldwin became strongly interested in the case and became counsel for the negroes. He carried it through the district and circuit courts of Connecticut, against great odds, up to the Supreme Court of the United States. In that court Baldwin had associated with him the venerable ex-President John Quincy Adams.
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The former's plea for the captives before that body was so pro- found that it led Chancellor Kent to rate Baldwin "with the lead- ing jurists of the day." He had the great satisfaction of securing a verdict for the negroes, and they were returned to their native land.
In 1844 Baldwin was elected governor of Connecticut, and again in 1845, serving as chief magistrate with great distinction.
Governor Baldwin was appointed United States senator in 1847 to fill the unexpired term made vacant by the death of Jabez W. Huntington of Norwich. After taking his seat in that body Baldwin became generally recognized as one of its leading members. At the time there were in the Senate some of the ablest men who ever sat within its walls. Among them were Webster, Seward, Clay, Benton and Calhoun. He ranged himself beside Seward and Chase in the arguments over the annexation of Texas. It is said that Governor Baldwin's speech against the Fugitive Slave Law was generally conceded to be the ablest argument in opposition to the measure delivered in the Senate.
In the annals of the Senate, Baldwin's reply to Senator Mason of Virginia, who had cast some aspersions on the policy of Connecticut, "is memorable not less for its admirable spirit than for its use of his extensive historical knowledge as a superior specimen of parliamentary retort."
The Democratic party was in power in 1851, when his term expired, and he was not re-elected to the Senate. Returning to 198
The Governors of Connecticut
his law practice in New Haven, his services were in great demand, especially in the United States courts.
Governor Baldwin was strongly urged to accept a position on the bench and a seat in Congress, but he refused both, choosing rather to practice the profession in which he had become so prominent. Governor Baldwin was a supporter of President Lincoln, and one of the five members of the Peace Congress, appointed by Governor Buckingham in 1861. This was about the last public service Bald- win performed, for early in 1863 he began to suffer with a nervous disorder which caused his death on February 19th of that year.
At his funeral an eloquent address was delivered by his pastor, Rev. Samuel W. S. Dutton, D. D., which has been published. A writer in the "Judicial and Civil History of Connecticut" pays this lofty tribute to Governor Baldwin: "Probably no lawyer ever attained in Connecticut a higher rank at the bar than that which was generally conceded to Governor Baldwin by his professional breth- ren. He possessed every one of the characteristics and faculties of a great lawyer. In any forum Governor Baldwin would have been regarded, not merely as a skillful practitioner, but as a man entitled to rank among the great lawyers of his day. He possessed a comprehensive and thorough acquaintance with the science of his profession. He understood it in its great doctrines and in its details. In guarding the interest of his clients his watchfulness was incessant. No circumstance which might affect those interests favor-
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ably or unfavorably, escaped his notice or failed to receive his full attention. His discourse, whether addressed to the court or jury, was marked by uniform purity and transparency of style. His English was superb. He was always able to say without embar- rassment or hesitation precisely what he wished to say, guarding with proper qualifications, exceptions and limitations, when necessary, every sentence and phrase, so that his idea, when expressed, stood forth sharply defined, exactly in the form in which he wished it to appear."
In an address delivered by the Hon. Henry B. Harrison of New Haven, he referred to Governor Baldwin in the following language : " It has been well said that Governor Baldwin was a great lawyer. He was an upright, a just, a conscientious, an honor- able man. Governor Baldwin was a true son of Connecticut. His memory deserves all honors from Connecticut, and from every one of her children."
Governor Baldwin's son, Simeon Eben Baldwin, born in 1840, is one of the most distinguished lawyers of Connecticut, and of the United States. He has been a prominent railroad attorney, presi- dent of the American Bar Association, and Harvard has made him a Doctor of Laws. He is now serving his second term as an associate judge of the Supreme Court of Errors, and is a historical writer of extensive knowledge and great power.
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The THIRTY-SECOND GOVERNOR of
CONNECTICUT
was ISAAC TOUCEY
Born in Newtown, he attended the public school and studied in a lawyer's office-Without a college or professional school education he became a dis- tinguished member of the bar and was appointed by President Polk as attorney-general of the United States, also serving as acting secretary of state-He was a member of the cabinet of Presi- dent Buchanan, as secretary of the navy, and the recipient of many other political trusts
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Isaac Joucey
ISAAC
TOUCEY -
SAAC Toucey was born in Newtown on November 5, 1796, and was a descendant of Rev. Thomas Toucey, the first Congre- gational minister of the town. He received a good education, but never attended college, as he commenced studying law with the Hon. Asa Chapman of Newtown, who was afterwards judge of the Supreme Court of Errors.
In 1818, at the age of twenty-two years, Toucey was admitted to the bar in Hartford, and began practice in that city. Possessing an unusual knowledge of the law for so young a man and being untiring for his clients' interests, Toucey soon gained prominence and secured a large and lucrative practice. Four years after being admitted to the bar he was chosen state's attorney for Hartford county, which office he held for the next thirteen years.
In 1835 Toucey became the choice of his party for repre- sentative in Congress, and was elected to that position during the year. Toucey remained in Congress four years, retiring in 1839, with an honorable record of service. He was elected governor of Connecticut in 1846, and remained in office one year. At this time Governor Toucey was considered to be one
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of the ablest lawyers in Connecticut and his fame reached far outside of the state.
President Polk appointed Governor Toucey attorney-general of the United States, and he served as such from June 21, 1848, to March 3, 1849. During a portion of this period Toucey was acting secretary of state. After retiring from the office of attorney-general Toucey returned to Connecticut and was elected a member of the United States Senate, and held the office during the full term of six years.
When James Buchanan was inaugurated president on March 4, 1847, Isaac Toucey was named as secretary of the navy to suc- ceed the Hon. James C. Dobbins of North Carolina. Commenc- ing his duties as the head of the navy department March 6, 1857, Toucey served throughout the administration, retiring from office March 3, 1861.
"Appleton's Cyclopedia of American Biography" says of Governor Toucey : "He was charged with favoring the course of the seceding states while secretary of the navy by deliberately send- ing some of the best vessels of the navy to distant seas to prevent their being used against the Confederation. This was denied, but he was generally thought to sympathize with the South and to be opposed to the prosecution of the war."
Governor Toucey returned to this state and resumed the practice of his profession, to which he was intensely devoted.
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The Governors of Connecticut
several offices were offered to him at this period; among these was a place on the bench of the United States Supreme Court.
Living at Hartford the remaining years of his life, he was the recipient of many honors at the hands of his fellow townsmen. He died on July 30, 1869, aged 73 years.
Of his professional ability the "Judicial and Civil History of Connecticut " says: " He justly ranked among the ablest lawyers in the state. He was a very accurate lawyer, learned and exact in pleading, and clear and orderly in the presentation of his case."
The same article continues, in referring to his personal char- acteristics : " He was tall in person, and though of slender figure he had fine features and a commanding presence. He spoke slowly, but with great precision. His diction was strong and clear, but without a particle of ornament. His private character was without a stain. He was a consistent and devout member of the Episcopal church. In his convictions he was firm, and held to them with a strength and tenacity of will that were never surpassed. His self- possession never forsook him, and on all occasions he exhibited the bearing of a high-toned gentleman."
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The THIRTY-THIRD GOVERNOR of
CONNECTICUT
was
CLARK BISSELL
The son of a poor farmer in Lebanon, he worked for the neighboring farmers and devoted his spare time to study-With a homespun suit of clothes, dyed with butternut, and made by his mother from the fleece, he entered Yale College and worked his way through-After graduation he taught school and studied law, being elected to the State Senate, then to the governorship and devoting the last years of his life to a professorship in the Yale Law School
CLARK
BISSELL
C LARK Bissell was descended from John Bissell of England, who emigrated to Plymouth in 1626 and afterwards settled in Windsor. There is a tradition that the family were Huguenots who fled from France about the time of the massacres of St. Bartholomew in 1572, and established their residence in Somer- setshire, England.
Born in Lebanon, September 7, 1782, Clark Bissell was the son of a very poor man who found it hard to make both ends meet. As a boy Bissell had no more advantages for learning than was furnished by the district schools of one hundred years ago. He worked hard for the farmers in the neighborhood, and what little money he earned was used to help support the family. Dur- ing the intervals when he could spare the time, the boy was devoted to study. His young companions would always find him poring over the pages of his Latin or Greek grammar, when he had an opportunity. Later a clergyman of the town offered to prepare him for college. He entered Yale College in 1802, and it is said that the day he left Lebanon for New Haven, Bissell had only the blessings of his parents and a homespun suit of clothes, dyed with
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The Governors of Connecticut
butternut, and made from the fleece by his mother's hands, to take with him. He supported himself while in college by teaching in the schools of New Haven.
It is doubtful if a poorer young man ever pursued the course at Yale. He had for classmates such men as T. H. Gallaudet, Jabez W. Huntington, John C. Calhoun and Dr. William Tully.
Bissell was graduated in 1806 and in the autumn of that year he taught in a private family in Maryland. Returning to Connecticut, Bissell taught school for a year at Saugatuck (now Westport), at the same time studying law with the Hon. S. B. Sherwood. When he had succeeded in paying up the debt of $400 he incurred during his college course, he went to New Haven and entered the law office of the Hon. Roger M. Sherman.
He was admitted to the bar in 1809 and at once removed to Norwalk, where he commenced to practice law. During his early years in Norwalk Bissell boarded in the family of Dr. Jonathan Knight, father of Professor Knight of Yale College. Concerning his advent into a conservative old town, Dr. Knight wrote to a friend: "Mr. Bissell, who was lately licensed as an attorney, came to town yesterday and lives with me. He has the character of a reputable young man. R. M. Sherman, Esq., with whom he has studied, has given him letters of recommendation to the civil authorities of the town." By unwearied industry and close application to his clients' interests Bissell soon built up a
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The Governors of Connecticut
good practice, and in 1829 was elected a member of the General Assembly. During the session of 1829 he was chosen a judge of the Superior Court and the Supreme Court of Errors. His fame as an able lawyer was widespread, and his career on the bench very successful.
In the early days of the last century the salaries paid judges of the higher courts were totally inadequate to support a growing family. Under these conditions Bissell resigned his position on the bench in 1839, and took up general practice again.
In 1842 and 1843 he was a member of the State Senate. At this period Bissell was looked upon as one of the ablest men in the state, and in 1847 he was elected governor of Connecticut. He was re-elected the following year, and altogether served as chief magistrate for two years. During the latter part of his second term as governor, on December 29th, the first railroad train passed from New York to New Haven.
While governor of the state, Bissell was appointed, with the future governor, Henry T. Dutton, as Kent professor of law in the Yale Law School. This position he held from 1847 to 1855, when ill health and the infirmities of old age compelled his resignation.
In 1850 he again represented the town of Norwalk in the Legislature, and this was the last public office he held. The remaining years of his life were passed with his family at
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The Governors of Connecticut
Norwalk, where he died on September 15, 1857. A daughter was the wife of United States Senator O. S. Ferry.
A biographer says of Governor Bissell: "As chief magistrate of the commonwealth his sound judgment, his purity of purpose, his unaffected demeanor, won the confidence and respect of all parties. As a lawyer he deserved the high reputation which by common consent was assigned him. Ready of speech, earnest and impressive in manner, clear in arrangement, and possessed withal of a caustic humor-sometimes playful, but when directed against fraud or falsehood often withering-he had but few equals in forensic discussion. He would not knowingly prosecute an unjust cause."
It has been said that Governor Bissell's lectures before the senior class in the Yale Law School were considered to be of the highest order in that species of intellectual effort.
Of his personal traits a writer says: "In his social intercourse his courteous, unobtrusive manners, his fund of anecdote, his genial humor, made him always a very agreeable companion."
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The THIRTY-FOURTH GOVERNOR of CONNECTICUT was
JOSEPH TRUMBULL
The son of the prominent Trumbull family of Lebanon, he was graduated from Yale College and later admitted to the bar-He came to Hart- ford where he was identified with its political and financial interests as a banker, supporter of several business enterprises, incorporator of charitable institutions, legislator, congress- man and governor-His name is intimately asso- ciated with affairs in Hartford during his period
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Los. Zambullo
JOSEPH
TRUMBULL
OSEPH Trumbull was a nephew of the first Jonathan Trumbull, and was born in Lebanon, December 7, 1782. His father was David Trumbull, a prominent resident of the town. He entered Yale College in 1797 and was graduated in the class of 1801. Immediately after graduation Trumbull commenced the study of law with William T. Williams of Leb- anon, and was admitted to the Ohio bar in 1802, and soon after in Windham County.
The next year Trumbull removed to his native state and · settled in Hartford, where he spent the remainder of his life. He grew rapidly in the public estimation and in 1832 was elected a member of the General Assembly from the town of Hartford. He was re-elected in 1848 and 1851.
Trumbull was selected to fill an unexpired term in Congress, and he served in that body during the sessions of 1834 and 1835. He was also a representative in Congress from March, 1839, to March, 1843, and his record was an honorable one. For years Trumbull had been the recognized leader of the Whig party and was elected governor in 1849. His administration of one year was uneventful, yet Governor Trumbull by all his acts sus- tained the high standard of his famous family.
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The Governors of Connecticut
Besides tending to the duties of his profession, Governor Trumbull gave much attention to various business enterprises. In June, 1828, he was elected president of the Hartford Bank, and remained in that position until November, 1839. He was also one of the earliest and most zealous supporters of the Hartford and Providence railroad. Governor Trumbull was the senior director of the Retreat for the Insane, and also an original incorporator of the American School for the Deaf and Dumb and the Hartford Orphan Asylum. His name was intimately associated with the growth of Hartford. He died at Hartford on August 4, 1861.
A biographical writer says of Governor Trumbull : " During his life he manifested a deep interest in the welfare of the commu- nity where he resided, being an active and leading member of its various charitable and other institutions."
His career was summed up in a newspaper published at the time of his death, as follows: "Connecticut had no better man, one of higher intelligence, strong and comprehensive views, and capacity as a statesman. With the best interest of Hartford his name was identified; and in private life his generosity, his social virtues, and pure character made his good repute among his neighbors equal to his fame abroad. For so great a man, and so good, eulogy is not necessary. With the prosperity of Hartford his name is intimately associated."
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The
THIRTY-FIFTH GOVERNOR of CONNECTICUT
was
THOMAS HART SEYMOUR
Born in Hartford, he received his early educa- tion in its public schools and at a military insti- tute in Middletown-He studied law, became an editor, then a congressman, and led a reg- iment in the Mexican War, participating in the capture of the City of Mexico-Returning home, he was elected governor and later appointed United States minister to Russia by President Pierce-At a democratic national con- vention his name was presented as a candidate for nomination as President of the United States
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FA Saymon
THOMAS
HART
SEY MOUR
T HOMAS Hart Seymour was descended from a cele- brated English family who settled in that country as early as the thirteenth century. He was born in Hartford, September 29, 1807, and when very young displayed those traits which made him a leader of men afterwards. His early education was obtained in the public schools of Hartford, and as he showed a predilection for a military life he was sent to Captain Alden Partridge's institute in Middletown. He pursued the course at this military school and was graduated in 1829. Returning to Hartford, Seymour was chosen as the commanding officer of the Light Guard of the city. He then studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1833, but before he gained much of a practice his 1 love for politics changed his course in life. Becoming editor of " The Jeffersonian," a leading democratic organ, he threw himself into the political discussion of the day. Seymour possessed a very attractive manner and a pleasing address, so that he was one of the most popular men of his time. He was elected judge of probate of the district, and soon occupied a position in the front ranks of the Hartford democracy, as their acknowledged leader.
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